Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Wow! I found another new satellite hiding im my images! This time it was a Delta 1 rocket body (NORAD #03616). It is CSC #2576.
It is nice to add to my catalogue without really trying!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical 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: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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I will be back to observing the remaining 500 satellites for the IYA by July 7, 2009, weather permitting. With a few launches happening in the past few weeks, it will give me a few new objects right away!
Currently, the total is 2,576. I plan to break the 2,600 mark by mid July.
I plan to have a total of at at least 3,053 satellites by the end of this year. I will be really lucky to have over 3,100.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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CASTOR got another 5 satellites last night (3 geosynchronous and 2 mid-earth orbit), bringing its total to 2,581.
Only 472 satellites remain until the 1,000 satellite goal for the IYA is reached.
I expect to breach the 2,600 total satellite mark within the week.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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On the evening of July 9-10, CASTOR grabbed another 30 satellites, bringing its total to 2,611.
Two satellites in this new crop are the new GOES 14 weather satellite and the new Sirius FM-5 satellite (satellite radio). Sirius FM-5 is the first geostationary satellite for Sirius (the rest are geosynchronous with an inclination of 63 degrees).
Since the beginning of the IYA, CASTOR detected a total of 558 satellites, which leaves another 442 satellites in order to reach its 1,000 satellite goal for the IYA year. I am very confident that I will be able to reach this goal!
Thanks to all who have viewed this thread. Over 5,000 hits and counting!!!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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CASTOR detected another 11 new satellites on July 14, making its total to date 2,622.
There might be another opportunity for more this week.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Another successful night of satellite detection has resulted in another 11 satellites to bring the total to 2,633. 580 have been detected since the IYA began.
I am planning to get more MEO objects the next chance I get.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
ottovonrotton
member
Reged: 01/01/09
Posts: 65
Loc: Where is Port Perry?
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Hello Michael, I see a lot of satellites from my backyard could use a handy way to figure out what is what or who. and a way to predict there transit so they can be photo'ed and not be in the way of other photos.
Good luck with the venture
John Blair (Glad to see another Canuck doing good)
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Go Modern, Go Gas, Go Bang!
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Last night saw an additional 18 satellites for the CASTOR Satellite Catalog. All were Mid Earth Orbit (MEO) and comprised of Russian, American, French and Chinese payloads and rockets.
The catalogue now stands at 2,651 unique satellites. 402 satellites remain for this year.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
could use a handy way to figure out what is what or who. and a way to predict there transit so they can be photo'ed and not be in the way of other photos.
There is no guarantee that a satellite will not pass through your FOV during your imaging, but there is one area that you absolutely stay away from.
The geostationary belt is a high density area of satellites that is the "no man's land" for long exposure imaging. The approximate declination of the GEO belt for southern Canada is about -6.5 degrees, but the higher in latitude you go, the lower declination the belt appears.
For the really bright satellites, you can go to Heavens Above (www.heavens-above.com), but it only predicts the naked eye satellites, which are few and far between. It is a good bet that very few of them would bother your images, unless you are using really high exposure times within a few hours after sunset or within a few hours before sunrise.
Quote:
Good luck with the venture
Thank You.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical 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: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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As of July 21, I have 400 satellites left to reach my 1,000 satellite goal for the IYA!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Well, it has been a long time, but I have finally managed to get clear skies just in time for the end of the month of July.
CASTOR got another 31 satellites, mainly mid Earth orbit, but a few GEOs on July 31st, bringing its grand total to 2,684 satellites.
CASTOR has detected 631 satellites since the beginning of the IYA. It has another 369 to go before reaching its 1,000 satellite goal!
In the month of July, CASTOR got a total of 108 new satellites; a little on the low side, but with only 7 days of decent weather this month, it is a good haul.
I hope August is much better though!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Another milestone has been reached with the 2,700th satellite detected by CASTOR on August 8th, 2009.
The 2,700th satellite detected was the Japanese H-1 rocket that launched the Himawari 4 weather satellite into orbit.
CASTOR detected the Himawari 4 payload back in 2007. It is CASTOR Satellite Catalog #1676.
Two geosynchronous satellites were detected on August 8th. The first was the German "Equator S" satellite, and the second was the American "EchoStar 1" satellite.
It is becoming apparent that CASTOR is beginning to run out of accessible geosynchronous satellites. To date, CASTOR has detected 602 of the 1,000 geosynchronous satellites currently orbiting the Earth. In order to detect the remaining 400, there would have to be a CASTOR facility on the other side of the world.
In order for CASTOR to make it to the 2,800 mark, it would have to rely on the remaining accessible satellites in LEO and MEO orbits.
Since the IYA began, CASTOR has detected 647 new satellites, nearly 2/3 of the 1,000 goal for this year.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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The past 4 days have been extremely productive, as CASTOR detected another 59 satellites to add to its ever-growing catalogue. I took advantage of the amazing clear skies in this part of the world to catch them.
One of the satellites detected this week was the now tumbling Hipparcos satellite, which once revolutionized trigonometric parallax measurements for stars. It is now in the ever-growing satellite graveyard, forever doomed to tumble in space.
As a sign that the end is near for its survey, CASTOR cannot detect any further geosynchronous satellites without relocating to the other side of the world. Still, it has detected over 600 of the 1,000 total geosynchronous satellites currently in orbit, which is not bad for just one detector.
To date, CASTOR has detected 2,759 satellites from all orbit types since January 1, 2007. Since the IYA began, it has detected 706 new satellites, nearly 3/4 of the 1,000 satellite goal set on January 1, 2009.
The end of the long journey is near. I expect to finish by November 2009.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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The night of August 17th has resulted in another 14 satellites, bringing my total since January 1, 2007 to 2,773 satellites.
Only 280 satellites remain to reach the IYA goal. I am nearly 3/4 there.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
PSS
journeyman
Reged: 08/22/09
Posts: 9
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This sounds very interesting.
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Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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CASTOR grabbed another 17 satellites on Monday night, bringing its grand total to 2,790 satellites.
Since the IYA began, CASTOR has detected 737 unique satellites. Only 13 to go before it reaches the 3/4 mark! This is expected to occur on the next clear night.
I have decided to suspend detection of Geosynchronous satellites until new accessible satellites in this orbit type have been launched. At the present time, CASTOR has detected all of the detectable geosynchronous satellites from its location.
Detection of LEO and MEO satellites will carry on as normal.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
|
|
CASTOR got 20 new satellites on August 26, bringing its grand total to 2,810.
The 2,800th satellite was the Russian Cosmos 2303 payload (NORAD #23445).
With this new total, CASTOR has only 190 satellites to go to reach the 3,000 mark and another 243 satellites to go to reach the 1,000 satellite goal for the IYA.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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|
At the month's end, CASTOR observed another 11 satellites, bringing its grand total to 2,821.
Since the IYA began, CASTOR has detected 771 new satellites. Just 229 satellites to go to reach its 1,000 satellite goal for the IYA.
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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|
CASTOR observed a total of 137 new satellites in the month of August. This number is 54 over the average number of satellites required per month to reach the 1,000 satellite goal for the IYA.
So far, the first week of September looks exquisite to detect many more new satellites!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
Michael A. Earl
vendor- Canadian Satellite Tracking and Orbit Research
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 1122
Loc: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
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Last night, CASTOR grabbed another 10 satellites, including the Japanese Micro LabSat satellite, only 70cm by 50cm in size.
This brings the grand total to 2,831 satellites.
The adventure continues tonight!
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Michael A. Earl - Vendor
Canadian Astronomy, Satellite Tracking and Optical Research
www.castor2.ca
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS
Celestron NexStar 8i SE
SBIG ST-9XE CCD
|
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