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From: Bob Young <YoungBob2@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 19:18:38 EDT
Fwd Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 09:26:46 -0400
Subject: Re: Satellite Question


>From: John Velez <jvif@spacelab.net>
>Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 04:25:28 -0400
>Fwd Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 15:36:12 -0400
>Subject: Re: Satellite Question

>>Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 12:37:39 -0400
>>From: Scott C. Carr <sardonica@erols.com>
>>To: UFO UpDates - Toronto <updates@globalserve.net>
>>Subject: Satellite Question

<snip>

>A satellite will not;

>1. Hover in one spot. (it will be in motion either on its own,
>or if a 'stationary satellite' due to the turning motion of the
>earth.)

I assume the question is how does the satellite look as seen by
the observer on Earth?  A geosynchronous satellite seen in a
telescope (as most are since they are quite high and therefore
dim) _will_ appear to be stationary in the field of view with
the background stars moving past if the telescope does not have
a clock drive or the drive is turned off.  In fact, turning off
the drive and watching the sattelite just sit there is a cool
way to tell if the satellite is in geosync orbit.  Also, if a
dim telescopic moving light is near the celestial equator (hence
above the Earth's equator, too) this is also a good sign that is
might be a geosync satellite.

>2. will not 'stop' and then 'start' moving again.

Ah, contraire.  Perhaps the most commonly reported movement of
fixed astronomical object IFOs, aircraft IFOs, satellite IFOs
(and probably nocturnal light UFOs which have not (yet?) been
judged an IFO) is a stopping and starting, zig-zagging and
jerking caused by autokenitic motion of the eye muscles.  This
is the cause of the famous Falling Leaf Effect.  Satellites are
classics, particularly when they are close to the horizon and
moving slowly without many nearby dimmer stars because of
atmospheric dimming near the horizon.

>3. will not appear 'under' clouds

but might appear below clouds at a distance, with the witness
assuming the object is under the clouds.

>or execute random turns.

But, see autokinetic motion, above.

<snip>

Most satellites will appear fairly low in Southern skys (towards
equator) for Northern observers as satellites in a 'polar orbit'
are -extremely rare.-

This is absolutely wrong, John.  Most satellites and their
launchers which are easily visible to the unaided eye (because
they are in lower orbits) are, indeed, polar orbiters.  ust go
out tonight and watch for them. They can thus cover the entire
Earth.  Manned missions, by contrast, are usually further south
toward the equatorials regions, mainly because of the latitute
of the launch facilities.

Clear skies,

Bob Young