Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Well, it looks like the tail end of March is going to be quite soggy, so I will be doing some routine maintenance on the scopes and cameras until the next opportunity.
I am still on track to reach 1,000 unique satellites by the end of December to celebrate the IYA. Nearly one quarter of that has been detected.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Mike28
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/21/03
Posts: 3011
Loc: Morris County,NJ
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That seems like an interesting hobby - to track satellites.
You never know when you might come upon a new military satellite thats there one week then gone the next. I know
my Starry Night program has most of the current satellites but there are alway's a new one going into orbit.
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Mike
'The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” Albert Einstein
TAKAHASHI TOA150F
NS11GPS/Sky align
Celestron 80ED
TV Pronto
Coronado Ha PST
CGE mount
Edited by Mike28 (03/30/09 06:22 PM)
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Well, a miracle has happened! I will have one more chance to track satellites at the tail end of this month.
I am planning to track a bunch of geostationary satellites this Tuesday night. I am hopeful that I will have a total of over 2,300 satellites by the time March 31st ends.
Wish me luck!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Mike28
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/21/03
Posts: 3011
Loc: Morris County,NJ
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Good luck! 
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Mike
'The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” Albert Einstein
TAKAHASHI TOA150F
NS11GPS/Sky align
Celestron 80ED
TV Pronto
Coronado Ha PST
CGE mount
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Well, I managed to get 15 geostationary and 1 low Earth orbiting satellite (by mistake) to add to my catalogue. The CSC now stands at 2,287 satellites.
The GEOs were mainly new ones I did not have a chance to observe before and a few I finally detected after many tries, such as Anik A2 and CTS (Hermes).
My next opportunity could be tonight, but the dewpoint will most likely be very high and therefore foggy (after the rain).
No complaints! 108 new satellites in March! 234 new satellites since January 1, 2009.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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I had a brief time last night to grab one LEO satellite between two large rain systems. Well, one hour to be precise.
I did get one satellite, but it was a repeat. No new ones. The number still stands at 2,287. The next opportunity will most likely be Thursday or Friday, as this system is huge.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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April has seen 22 new satellites, bringing CASTOR's total to 2,309 individual satellites detected in total (256 satellites in 2009). Most were Russian SL-8 rockets and Cosmos payloads.
The Easter season has been kind! Hopefully, 2,400 will be breached by the end of this month. The weather for the remainder of the week looks promising!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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d1anderson
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 634
Loc: North Central Texas
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Hey Michael,
Any chance of seeing the satellite that North Korea has recently put up (supposedly).
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Clear Skies
Dewayne
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Z12 dob
MEADE DS2130AT NEWT 494goto
MEADE NG60 REFRACTOR
The more you look the more you'll see! 
Don't forget to register at www.scopebuddies.com
Check out my blog What I Think About Things
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
Any chance of seeing the satellite that North Korea has recently put up (supposedly).
Not likely. I would have to lead an expedition to the Pacific Ocean (with the help of Dr. Ballard) to look for the payload a few miles below the surface.
I have not picked up anything strange in the past few days since the launch, but I am willing to believe that the payload did indeed fall into the ocean as reported by NORAD. I will believe NORAD over N. Korea any day.
However, every time I catch an unknown object, I will wonder about the claims 
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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As of April 14, CASTOR has detected a total of 2,318 individual satellites since January 1, 2007 and 268 since the beginning of the IYA.
Tonight is another opportunity. I will be going for geosynchronous objects this time.
I expect to breach the 2,400 satellite mark by the end of this month.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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On April 15th, 8 geosynchronous satellites and 1 supersynchronous (HEO) satellite were detected to make the total CASTOR detections 2,327 satellites. Since the start of the IYA, CASTOR has detected 274 new satellites to add to its catalogue.
The HEO satellite was the European Space Agency's "Integral" satellite, which was 146,500km from CASTOR and 3.5 degrees from the NCP at the time of its detection.
This weekend's weather seems promising. Another 20 satellites might be detected over Saturday and Sunday.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Sunday night was favorable for some new satellite detections. 16 new GEO and MEO satellites were detected, including several Russian SL-12 rockets, the second Giove GPS satellite by ESA and a Chinese rocket.
Since the beginning of the IYA, 293 new satellites were detected. I am confident that I will reach 333 (one third of this year's goal) by the end of this month (only 10 days away).
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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CASTOR got another 25 geosynchronous satellites last night to bring the total to 2,368 satellites.
Since the IYA began, CASTOR has detected 315 new satellites, very near the 1/3 point to the 1,000 goal for this year.
It is expected (weather permitting) that the 2,400 mark will be breached by the end of this month.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Last night, I managed to detect another 23 new satellites, bringing my total to 2,391, only 9 satellites away from breaching the 2,400 mark.
With a clear night forecast for my area, I am sure to breach it tonight. Afterwards, I will set my sights on reaching a milestone number: 2,500 satellites!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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DrBuck
sage
Reged: 12/10/08
Posts: 269
Loc: Susanville, No. Calif.
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Quote:
Last night, I managed to detect another 23 new satellites, bringing my total to 2,391, only 9 satellites away from breaching the 2,400 mark.
With a clear night forecast for my area, I am sure to breach it tonight. Afterwards, I will set my sights on reaching a milestone number: 2,500 satellites!
--------Michael, How does Castor determine if a satellite is a new one and not a repeat?? 
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DrBuck
Roll off Roof Observatory,
CGE on concrete and steel pier
Takahashi FS 152 Fluorite apo refractor
Televue 85MM Apochromatic refractor
12 inch LX 200 gps smt uhtc
Nikon D-90 with 18-200mm AF VR lens
Canon 15x50 IS Binoculars
http://www.flickr.com/photos/697650grr/?saved=1
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
How does Castor determine if a satellite is a new one and not a repeat??
Excellent question! With each new satellite I see, I specifically catalogue it and make detailed notes about its brightness, angular velocity, tumble period (if inactive) and orbit type.
Each satellite detected is stored on a master list with all of its observed attributes. With each satellite detected, it is compared to the master list. If the object is a "repeat", it is added to the corresponding object's CASTOR Catalogue number to add to data already collected on that object.
Thanks for your question!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Last night, I managed to collect another 18 satellites to bring my total number up to 2,409 unique satellites.
So, far during the IYA, I have detected 356 satellites, over 1/3 of the goal set for this year. I am still well on track to reaching the goal of 1,000 new satellites by the end of the IYA!
This project has given me a unique understanding of the amount of satellites orbiting us right now. Although several of the satellites I have seen have decayed and have fallen back to Earth, most are still orbiting us.
There still seems to be no end in sight to the number of new objects I can detect. Of course, there will come a time when my technical limits will become apparent and the number of new satellites will decrease. I am hoping this does not happen before December 31, 2009.
I am very hopeful that I can reach the total 3,053 satellite goal by the end of this year. 2,500 is right around the corner.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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DrBuck
sage
Reged: 12/10/08
Posts: 269
Loc: Susanville, No. Calif.
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Michael-------and I assume that the master list and data is computerized with software that will compare data?? and congratulations on breaking 2400 
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DrBuck
Roll off Roof Observatory,
CGE on concrete and steel pier
Takahashi FS 152 Fluorite apo refractor
Televue 85MM Apochromatic refractor
12 inch LX 200 gps smt uhtc
Nikon D-90 with 18-200mm AF VR lens
Canon 15x50 IS Binoculars
http://www.flickr.com/photos/697650grr/?saved=1
Edited by DrBuck (04/30/09 01:35 PM)
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1113
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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DrBuck,
From time to time I have to compare actual observations (orbit types, tumble periods, etc.) with in-house software to make sure that I have not seen a repeat satellite. Normally, I can simply use the NORAD number if there is no confusion.
In the case of the "classified" objects, I make sure that they have not been mistaken for unclassified objects, then do an observation comparison.
Most of the time, I simply propagate the orbit elements and compare the predicted position with the position in my images. For High Earth Orbit satellites, the NORAD elements can have significant errors, so extra care must be taken wiht those. However, their angular velocities are normally so low they are easy to discern from Geosynchronous (GEOs) and Mid Earth Orbits (MEOs).
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
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DrBuck
sage
Reged: 12/10/08
Posts: 269
Loc: Susanville, No. Calif.
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Michael-----thats very interesting------one more question, what imaging equipment do you use to do this!!
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DrBuck
Roll off Roof Observatory,
CGE on concrete and steel pier
Takahashi FS 152 Fluorite apo refractor
Televue 85MM Apochromatic refractor
12 inch LX 200 gps smt uhtc
Nikon D-90 with 18-200mm AF VR lens
Canon 15x50 IS Binoculars
http://www.flickr.com/photos/697650grr/?saved=1
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