| OK, So you want to learn how to track a satellite as it fly's overhead--heres some tips that I was shown as not only as a child, but by veteran sky watchers around the world. Remember, go outside 10 or 15 minutes before the passover to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark conditions. Make sure your in as dark a place as possible to avoid light pollution ( Away from city lights ) You would be amazed at how much light the neighbors porch light throws off when your skywatching. |
| DEFINITIONS----EXPLANATIONS |
| ANGLE OF INCLINATION---Imagine yourself looking at the sky....The horizon, or the ground at eye level is considered 0 degrees. Straight Up would be 90 degrees, and halfway would be 45 degrees. ANGLE OF INCLINATION is the angle at which to look for the path of the orbiting object, In this case STARSHINE 3 |
| MAXIMUM LIT DURATION AND LIT DURATION--- Pretty Simple Stuff. This is the MAXIMUM amount of time during the flyover that the satellite , or orbiting object will be visible during that particular pass. LIT DURATION is how long it will be visible to YOU at your location. |
| MOST IMPORTANTLY--REMEMBER THIS ONE LITTLE TIP Remember that the Satellites that are in orbit travel at speeds in excess of 17,000 Miles Per Hour.....Thats more than 5 MILES PER SECOND....Thats like traveling from DETROIT to ROGERS CITY in less than 60 seconds. If you happen to miss a passover of STARSHINE 3, just go outside and look up again in about 90 minutes. This is how long it takes an orbiting body to complete ONE ORBIT of the earth. But, when it comes over your place of watching again, It will have a Different Orbit, HENCE---a different Angle of inclination and MAXIMUM LIT DURATION..So, look a little higher ( Or Lower ) The Angle of Inclination usually only varies by 5 or 10 degrees |
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