[at-l] Satellites

[jbkramer@afn.org (Bryan Kramer)]

If you want to spot satellites then I suggest you try Heavens Above:

http://www.heavens-above.com/main.asp?Loc=Newberry&Lat=29.646&Lng=-82.60
7&TZ=EST

This URL is set up for my location but just go to the set your
configuration link and enter your town. The site gives you everything
you'll need for satellite spotting and will even draw a map showing the
track of the object as seen from your location. It does Iridium flashes
and the space station too too. You should note that satellites are
generally only seen near sunset or sunrise since you are seeing the sun
reflected off the object. If you see something hours after sunset then
it probably is not a satellite.

I have printed out the lists for the area that I plan to be in when we
go on trips so as to take advantage of the dark skies. We spotted
objects when we were camping at Palo Duro last year frex.

Bryan

> 
> 
> On a clear night with a big sky (on or near The Trail, of 
> course), try naked-eye sattellite spotting. I've doing it 
> since I was a wee lad .... The writers here want you to "bag" 
> specific sattelites ... I like to to lie back and open my 
> eyes to as much of the dome as I can see and just drink it 
> in. Eventually you'll notice a dim "star" moving across your 
> field of vision ... (airplane lights don't look like stars, 
> and you'll quickly learn the
> difference) ... or if you see one streaking across, its' 
> either a a pagan astronaut on June 22 or a meteor ....