Observing Artificial Satellites

Abstract

This report describes a technique that can be used to derive the penalty paid, in terms of increased apparent magnitude, for not observing artificial satellites at their maximum diffuse brightness. The procedure is applied here to the simple case of geostationary right-circular cylinders. We find that if these satellites (at their brightest) are 0.5 magnitude brighter than the system limit, then approx. 63 percent of all such satellites within 60 degrees of the GEODSS ETS will never be visible.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 08, 1976
Accession Number
ADA034644

Entities

People

  • Laurence G. Taff

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Masses
  • Angular Momentum
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Brightness
  • Celestial Brightness
  • Circular Orbits
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Grids
  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • Massachusetts
  • Orbits

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Space Objects