B. Hudgens Jun 2, 2002
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill J Gray" <pluto@...>
To: <guide-user@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2002 11:57 AM
Subject: [guide-user] Satellite troubles
> Hi Ben,
>
> General-purpose comments about things that can cause Guide to
> appear to have errors of this sort for solar-system objects are at
>
> http://www.projectpluto.com/faq_curr.htm#positions
>
> I've a slight edge on others reading this list: your address is
> in my mailing database, and I was therefore able to enter your ZIP
> code under "Settings... Location... Enter Location Name." (Guide
> will recognize a five-digit number as a US postal code, and a
> three-digit number as a Minor Planet Center observatory code.
> Persons outside the US are not so fortunate; I don't have lists of
> postal code vs. lat/lon for the rest of the world.) The resulting
> position was W 89.90, N 35.11.
>
> Using this, and setting the date to 22:53 CDT on Sunday, 2 June
> (a.k.a. 3:53 UT on Monday, 3 June), I get Iridium 32 as being at
> altitude 11.2 degrees, azimuth 47.8 degrees. Since you mention
> "Sunday, 3 June" in your message, I'd recommend checking the
> date/time in Guide. Also, it would be good to right-click on a
> satellite, then "more info", and look at the "epoch of elements"
> to make sure that it is at least reasonably current.
>
> A few nights ago, I set up Guide to show a full-sky overhead
> view with satellites to mag 4.5, and went outside with binoculars
> and tracked a few as they went by. This is not a wonderful test of
> accuracy, since it's at the level of "Satellite X should be going
> past Gamma Boo right now... yup, there it is." More precise tests
> done by others show a good match to actual satellite behavior.
>
> -- Bill
>
>
>
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>