Satellites...

[ChromeStar]

Hi guys

I'm not sure about you, but when i look up at the sky i notice a lot of satelite activity - i'm not sure but maybe it's because the South African night sky is quiet dark - what i always wonder is what type of satelite im seeing and if it is watching me?

Are there any ways to tell if a satelite is a communications, spy, or research satelite?

Your comments are appreciated! :D

[ChromeStar]

Going once.... :huh:

[piersdad]

http://www.heavens-above.com (http://www.heavens-above.com)

this link will give you most of the satelight info as well as international space station when it goes over you --very impressive-- its free for most things and when you register you put in your nearest town- city or your map
coordinates and if there is anything visible going over you they will give you the time and direction etc a fantastic site

[Erimus]

A cautionary note: I'm no expert on satellite observation. There are amateurs out there who are seriously interested in this activity.

However, I know a few basic rules. For instance, Russian satellites often travel from south to north, while U.S. satellites usually travel from west to east. In the Northern Hemisphere, satellites are best viewed during the summer, which means viewing is probably best in the Southern Hemisphere during your summer as well (because of the angle of the orbits in relation to Earth's shadow). Satellites in geostationary orbit are too faint to see except in large telescopes.

Here are some sites that may be useful:

http://www.heavens-above.com/

http://www.satobs.org/satintro.html

[Dave Mitsky]

Originally posted by Erimus@Mar 6 2005, 06:24 PM
A cautionary note: I'm no expert on satellite observation. There are amateurs out there who are seriously interested in this activity.

However, I know a few basic rules. For instance, Russian satellites often travel from south to north, while U.S. satellites usually travel from west to east. In the Northern Hemisphere, satellites are best viewed during the summer, which means viewing is probably best in the Southern Hemisphere during your summer as well (because of the angle of the orbits in relation to Earth's shadow). Satellites in geostationary orbit are too faint to see except in large telescopes.

Here are some sites that may be useful:

http://www.heavens-above.com/

http://www.satobs.org/satintro.html
Satellites from either nation or others can be placed in a variety of orbits. Spy satellites use polar orbits since the entire Earth is available for imaging by spooks.

http://www.spacetoday.org/Questions/PolarSats.html

Dave Mitsky

[ChromeStar]

Thanx for your comments! :D ;)