[amsat-bb] Amateur Satellites Close Conjuctions
Hello, Given the recent close conjunction between Compass-1 and Sich 1, I was curious how common such encounters were. Using SOCRATES on the celestrak site, http://celestrak.com/SOCRATES/, it looks like they are fairly common. Here are some up coming conjunctions: Objects DateTime UTCDistance KM AO-51 (28375) & Cosmos 676 (07433) 27 Jan. 201009:05:36 1.93 Hope-1 (36122) & Cosmos 272 (03818) 30 Jan. 201015:07:21 0.511 Hamsat (28650) & TIROS 8 Deb. (19396) 1 Feb. 201001:26:28 0.926 73, Armando N8IGJ ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HO-68 Tracking
Peter, what is your location (locator, longitude, latitude), what are your entries for HO-68 in Doppler.SQF and what were the predicted AOS and LOS times for the pass you mean? You can check that with the Preview function or the list programs WinAOS or WinListen. I never heard that the predictions of NOVA and SatPC32 were different, provided the data are the same for both programs. 73s, Erich, DK1TB - Original Message - From: "Peter Scheller" To: "amsat-bb" Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 3:55 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] HO-68 Tracking > > Greetings to all. > > I have 2 satellite prediction programs, NOVA for Windows and of course > SatPC32. Since the two > > do not match in prediction, I tried to find out which one is correct. > Anyone wonders about the outcome? > > Erich, you can relax, your SatPC32 program is superior! But.. Setup: > IC-706MKII, outside Arrow antenna > > mounted on photo tripod at ground level. Computer time adjusted to WWV and > newest Keps loaded via internet. HO-68 orbit 547 was an almost overhead > pass (here in Hawaii). When I finally picked up HO-68's > > beacon, the indicated CAT frequency of the SatPC32 program and the > MANUALLY tuned frequency of the > > IC-706MKII did not match, and were far off. By observation, the satellite > was lagging the prediction program. > > When the the CAT window showed a beacon frequency of 435790 KHz I timed > this with a stop watch, and > > waited till the radio dial showed the same. The difference was about 7 > minutes! and SatPC32 showed HO-68 > > almost out of the foot print whilst it should have been overhead at the > closest distance to me. Something > > is absolutely wrong. A 7 minute time difference is not acceptable. Next I > loaded HO-68's Online Satellite > > Pass Predictions from AMSAT NA. Surprise, the AMSAT predictions accurately > mirror the SatPC32 predictions, > > or vice versa. But are wrong! as measured by the actual event. Any help > out there? > > 73, Peter NH6VB > > _ > Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. > http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390710/direct/01/ > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Found it: MAI-75
It's down for Wednesday and Thursday as well. 73 Trevor M5AKA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] First Tweet from space
Expedition 22 sends first Tweet from space http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2010/first_tweets_from_space.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio News (Email/RSS): http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email Your News To: editor at southgatearc.org Or Use Form at: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news_1.htm --- ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Mobile Sat antenna
Hi, I use for mobile this setup (FM and linear birds mode J): http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com/Amateur%20Satellite%20Articles/FO29_MOBILE.pdf I upgraded the downlink antenna using a CJU with better results: http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com/Videos%20AMSAT/VIDEO_EB4DKA%20via%20FO29%20desde%20movil.html Hope this helps. 73 de Pedro EB4DKA http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com - Original Message - From: "joe barkley" To: Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 11:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Mobile Sat antenna > Hi All, > I have heard a couple times on the FM birds of stations > signing mobile. I wonder what type of antennas are used for mobile. > I have an Arrow I use portable with my HT. I have a full duplex Icom > FM rig and could just barely hear HO-68 on a Wednesday pass up in Em95. > No preamp or anything yet and just a 1/4 wave duobander. > What would it take to operate truly mobile from an antenna standpoint. > Just playing with the idea. I travel a bit during Spring and Summer and > might be fun to try. > > Joe > KI4TZ > > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HO-68 Schedule - 24-31 Jan 2010
Hi all, The available schedule are night passes except for the Friday 29 @ 13:20 UTC. This is the one I'll try to record due to light conditions. 73s, Pedro EB4DKA http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com - Original Message - From: "i8cvs" To: "Pedro A. Perez" ; "AMSAT-BB" Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 11:42 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HO-68 Schedule - 24-31 Jan 2010 > - Original Message - > From: "Pedro A. Perez" > To: > Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 10:17 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HO-68 Schedule - 24-31 Jan 2010 > >> Great week to try my mobile SSB sat station! >> I hope to record a video and upload it to my website (like the one >> working >> Domenico I8CVS via FO-29). >> >> Thank you very much Alan! >> >> Best 73s, >> >> Pedro EB4DKA >> http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com > > Hi Pedro, EB4DKA > > I have seen that between 24-31 jan we have 12 orbits scheduled for Europe > on HO-68 > > By the way actually I got not the time to see on PC the best suitable > orbits > for both of us in Europe > > If you chouse the best convenient orbit for you I will be very happy to > try > again as we did via FO-29 using your CJU or IO-IO antennas and see the > difference. > > The orbits with high elevations are preferred because those with very low > elevation are full of QRO stations equipped for 2 meters tropo but > hopefully > without elevation. > > Waiting for your news. > > 73" de > > i8CVS Domenico > > > > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: LEO/cube sat for sale 8000$
Hi AMSATs, I just read the message about the tube-sats. I was having a look to their options, but when I understand well in the structure there is already a radio integrated ? What is the area that can be used for electronics ? The weight is max. 250 grams, which is no problem to handle one off my LE005-R2 linear transponders (weights only 30 grams). Check it on: www.leijenaarelectronics.nl When there is enough space in the tube-sat to fit my transponder, this is very interresting. Just fill the existing space with Li-ion batts and there you go... Anyone already have experience with these tube-sats ? 73, de PE1RAH William Leijenaar --- Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Amateur Satellites Close Conjuctions
> Hello, > > Given the recent close conjunction between Compass-1 and Sich 1, > I was curious how common such encounters were. Using > SOCRATES on the celestrak site, http://celestrak.com/SOCRATES/, > it looks like they are fairly common. > > Take those forecasts with a grain of salt since they are based on TLE's with limited accuracy. On the day Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 collided, SOCRATES forecast a couple other conjunctions closer. SOCRATES predicted a miss of 584 m. Fortunately for us, there is a lot of space in space. -Joe KM1P ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: First Tweet from space
This is one of the more obvious reasons why the ISS crew doesn't need to use Ham Radio http://twitter.com/Astro_TJ Thoughtful comments during the times they have to play Roger WA1KAT Trevor . wrote: > Expedition 22 sends first Tweet from space > http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2010/first_tweets_from_space.htm > > 73 Trevor M5AKA > ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: LEO/cube sat for sale 8000$
Quoting William Leijenaar : > Hi AMSATs, > > I just read the message about the tube-sats. > I was having a look to their options, but when I understand well in > the structure there is already a radio integrated ? Hi William, You can get a tubesat both with or without electronics/radio. I think you can even use your own structure as long as it fits into the envelope specs. > What is the area that can be used for electronics ? > The weight is max. 250 grams, which is no problem to handle one off > my LE005-R2 linear transponders (weights only 30 grams). > Check it on: www.leijenaarelectronics.nl Max OD = 8.94 cm (3.52 in), ID= 8.56 cm (3.37 in), Length = 12.7 cm (5.0 in) So it is slightly smaller than a cubesat in one dimension, but longer in length. You can get the full specs on their website: http://www.interorbital.com/TubeSat_1.htm There is a PDF/word file > > When there is enough space in the tube-sat to fit my transponder, > this is very interresting. > Just fill the existing space with Li-ion batts and there you go... Indeed! > Anyone already have experience with these tube-sats ? I do not have any practical experience with them, but I know they have been working on their launcher for many years. If I had 8000$ I would buy a tubesat. Of course, since their launcher does not have any track record, it should be considered as high risk. But who cares? I mean if you compare it to the price of a cubesat launch today, which is how much? 8$? 73 Alex OZ9AEC ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Mobile Sat antenna
My first SAT antenna was a very ugly CJU, but it worked as well as the Arrow or Elk for downlink. John W6ZKH - Original Message - From: "Pedro A. Perez" To: "joe barkley" , amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 4:04:30 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Mobile Sat antenna Hi, I use for mobile this setup (FM and linear birds mode J): http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com/Amateur%20Satellite%20Articles/FO29_MOBILE.pdf I upgraded the downlink antenna using a CJU with better results: http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com/Videos%20AMSAT/VIDEO_EB4DKA%20via%20FO29%20desde%20movil.html Hope this helps. 73 de Pedro EB4DKA http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com - Original Message - From: "joe barkley" To: Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 11:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Mobile Sat antenna > Hi All, > I have heard a couple times on the FM birds of stations > signing mobile. I wonder what type of antennas are used for mobile. > I have an Arrow I use portable with my HT. I have a full duplex Icom > FM rig and could just barely hear HO-68 on a Wednesday pass up in Em95. > No preamp or anything yet and just a 1/4 wave duobander. > What would it take to operate truly mobile from an antenna standpoint. > Just playing with the idea. I travel a bit during Spring and Summer and > might be fun to try. > > Joe > KI4TZ > > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Genesat-1 Operational?
The AMSAT SATS page says that GENESAT-1 is operational It is not listed on D Carr's web page as being reported by anyone. We listended for it with a class of students today and heard nothing at around 11:15 EST. Google finds nothing but reports of OPERATIONAL, but then none of them are newer than January 08. If anyone else can confirm that it is non operational, then I'll inform the AMSAT web site guru to remove its operational status. Thanks Bob, WB4APR ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Genesat-1 Operational?
Bob, I suggest you also visit DK3WN's satblog for current satellte updates. Looks like reports as recent as Jan 24th. http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?cat=12 73, Mark N8MH On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 11:11 AM, Robert Bruninga wrote: > The AMSAT SATS page says that GENESAT-1 is operational > It is not listed on D Carr's web page as being reported by > anyone. > We listended for it with a class of students today and heard > nothing at around 11:15 EST. > > Google finds nothing but reports of OPERATIONAL, but then none > of them are newer than January 08. > > If anyone else can confirm that it is non operational, then I'll > inform the AMSAT web site guru to remove its operational status. > > Thanks > Bob, WB4APR > > > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: LEO/cube sat for sale 8000$
Hi Willliam, Also the very low orbit only gives the Tubesats a life of a few weeks. The very well funded company SpaceX took many years and 3 launch failures before they finally got the Falcon 1 into space. It may be reasonable to assume the company behind Tubesat will take just as long before they get a working launch system. 73 Trevor M5AKA --- On Tue, 26/1/10, William Leijenaar wrote: > From: William Leijenaar > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: LEO/cube sat for sale 8000$ > To: amsat-bb@amsat.org > Date: Tuesday, 26 January, 2010, 13:48 > Hi AMSATs, > > I just read the message about the tube-sats. > I was having a look to their options, but when I understand > well in the structure there is already a radio integrated ? > > What is the area that can be used for electronics ? > The weight is max. 250 grams, which is no problem to handle > one off my LE005-R2 linear transponders (weights only 30 > grams). > Check it on: www.leijenaarelectronics.nl > > When there is enough space in the tube-sat to fit my > transponder, this is very interresting. > Just fill the existing space with Li-ion batts and there > you go... > > Anyone already have experience with these tube-sats ? > > 73, de PE1RAH > William Leijenaar > --- > > > Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. > Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur > satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Amateur Satellites Close Conjuctions
Sort of like walking 1000 paces, turning, and firing...not much danger of anyone perishing in such a duel? Better yet try to hit the other's bullet. The most amazing is that two orbiting satellites actually collided. 73, Ed - KL7UW afterall space is not like the San Diego Fwy in rush hour At 05:08 AM 1/26/2010, Joe Fitzgerald wrote: > > Hello, > > > > Given the recent close conjunction between Compass-1 and Sich 1, > > I was curious how common such encounters were. Using > > SOCRATES on the celestrak site, http://celestrak.com/SOCRATES/, > > it looks like they are fairly common. > > > > > >Take those forecasts with a grain of salt since they are based on TLE's >with limited accuracy. On the day Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 collided, >SOCRATES forecast a couple other conjunctions closer. SOCRATES predicted >a miss of 584 m. > >Fortunately for us, there is a lot of space in space. > >-Joe KM1P > >___ >Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@hotmail.com == ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: LEO/cube sat for sale 8000$
Unless they are going to buy launches from elseware rather than develop the launch hardware themselves. On 26-Jan-10 16:55, Trevor . wrote: > Hi Willliam, > > Also the very low orbit only gives the Tubesats a life of a few weeks. > > The very well funded company SpaceX took many years and 3 launch failures > before they finally got the Falcon 1 into space. It may be reasonable to > assume the company behind Tubesat will take just as long before they get a > working launch system. > ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] MAI-75
Gogle with the Russian characters Маи-75 and you get results like http://www.mcc.rsa.ru/exp/mai-75.htm that can be dropped into babelfish to get: In English Experiment of " MAI -75" (it continues with s -11) Automatic spacecraft and the contemporary technologies the personal communications of the connection Producer The Moscow Aviation Institute ANE MUNTZ " [Kosmos]" Participant [RKK] of " [Energiya]" [im]. OF [S].[P]. Korolev Scientific leader Moderator Doctor of Technical Science, assoc. member. WOUNDS Of [alifanov] [O].[M]. [Spirin] [A].[I]. Purpose: Checking the possibility: • the organization of personal communications between the users on the Earth and the information resources inside s; • the use of standard protocols of network the Internet for the turning to information resources inside s; • the start in the training process of VUZ (Institute of Higher Education) of the aerospace profile of the information and telecommunication resources, obtained in the process of conducting the experiment. Tasks: Finalizing the common methodology of the transfer of video images from onboard RS s along the radio amateur's communication channel (SSTV) and its method in [TSPOI] the MAI in the interests of educational projects. Conducting by photo and [videosemok] on board RS s according to the scenic plans. Obtaining initial data for creation and applying assignment system of space information to the wide circle of users. Utilized equipment: During the first stage the experiment of " MAI -75" will begin to operate existing on board RS s digital of photo and video the equipment, utilized for fulfilling the surveys according to the scenic plans and the system of radio amateur's communications with the frequency bands 144-146 and 430-440 MHz for the subsequent image transmission to the earth. The official equipment is used for the realization of experiment: the complex of amateurish package radio communication, the video camera HDV Of sony HVR-Z1, the digital camera Of nikon Of d200, the digital camera Of nikon D2X, [videokommunikator] Of kenwood VC-H1 with overall mass 40,7 kg. 73 de andy g0sfj ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] DOKA-B Telemetry Question
I am not sure, but as far as I know DOKA-B is the telemetry software on Russian Satellites. RS-30, RS-38 etc Does anybody know how to decode this telemetry data? 73 Jan - PE0SAT -- With regards PE0SAT Internet web-page http://www.ham.vgnet.nl/ ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Found it: MAI-75
http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ Kenneth - N5VHO From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Randy [rswa...@twcny.rr.com] Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 8:42 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Found it: MAI-75 I wish I new more details about it .. Anyone?? Randy - N2CUA January 29, Friday HTV separation from the ISS ISS attitude control with USOS CMG assistance Space bio-technology: Biotrek Space ray research: BTN-Neutron Life-science experiment: Matreshka-R, Biorisk, Rasneniya-2, Sonocard Geophysical experiments: Vsplesk, Impulse (standby) Contract experiment: EXPOSE-R Educational experiment: MAI-75 Technical studies and experiments: Contur (standby) Medical test: evaluation of the crew physical training status Scheduled activities: Filling Electron water containers ASN-M test ECLSS maintenance operations Crew rest (half a day) ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Winrotor drivers
Hello all I ‘m using Winrotor LPT Interface for my Sat Tracking . The drivers contained in my original CD purchased from Funkbox are unreadable. Strange ... Have you anything for me and allow me to reinstall these drivers ? In advance, thank you . 73's de TK5JJ ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] ND9M Road Trip Update #2
We'll be running the DM95/DM96 and EM06/EM07 grid lines tomorrow (Wed). (All planned grid line ops assume that we can actually GET to the line itself; we've been very lucky so far...) >From there we'll overnight in Dodge City, KS, which sits on the DM97/EM07 >line. With a winter storm warning in effect for this area on Thursday, we >might sit tight in Marshall Dillon's corral for a day before resuming our >northbound leg. So far, all my ops have been on AO27 and AO51, mainly because I'm having a bit of difficulty finding my downlink on the linear birds (AO7, VO52, and HO68). No doubt it's a simple error that I'm overlooking since I was able to use all three birds before we left FL. I'll give VO52 another go during tomorrow's 27/1632Z pass and HO68 an hour later. 73 from Rt 66, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Shamrock, TX / DM95 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Mars Watch
On Jan. 27, Mars will be closer to Earth than any other time between 2008 and 2014. A mere 60 million miles away, the red planet will be a great target for backyard telescopes, and will appear bright to the naked eye as well. Every 26 months, the two planets’ orbits bring them closer together, sometimes closer than others. In 2003, Mars came within 35 million miles of Earth, a 60,000-year record. Observers with a telescope will be able to see changes over the north pole of Mars as the carbon dioxide ice cap is nearing summer and evaporating into gas that affects the polar clouds. (If any of our reader-astronomers catch a nice image, send it our way!) >From the ground, Mars will look like an orange star almost as bright as >Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. The view will actually be best on >Friday, Jan. 29, when Mars will rise alongside the first full moon of the >year, directly opposite the sun. For help locating Mars, NASA’s Web site offers full sky maps for Jan. 27, 28 and 29. Clint, K6LCS ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
