21 Jul
2007
21 Jul
'07
3:11 p.m.
One of my favorite satellites is due to pass over SPOC tonight. A few years back the Japanese launched a sphere shaped satellite, 2 meters in diameter and covered with mirrors (think disco ball in space). When it passes over it looks like a diamond sparkling across the sky. Fun to watch although at magnitude 8-9 binoculars are required (well, unless your name is Dave Bernson <grin>). From SPOC tonight (Saturday) look to see it bling slowly through the bucket of the Big Dipper from 22:13:10 to 22:13:40. Then at 22:16:45 we should see it pass very near Deneb. pw