Calibration of ETS Videotapes
Abstract
This Project Report discusses an attempt to calibrate photometric data acquired from streaks generated by moving objects which were observed at the ETS. This is desirable for both natural and artificial bodies. The utility of a meaningful apparent magnitude from streak data would allow statistical studies of size-albedo distributions, serve as a size indicator in the absence of traditional photometry, and alleviate the difficulties of artificial satellite photometry on the rapidly moving near-Earth population. Unfortunately we have been unsuccessful at this endeavor. Moreover, were this trial successful we can envisage sundry systematic errors that would creep into more widespread applications. Some of these area related to angular speed, field of view, time duration of a streak, frame-to-frame variability length of streak arc across the field of view, and the angle between the angular velocity and the direction of the video scan lines. This general topic is important and we will pursue other approaches if they can address our apprehensions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 29, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA168888
Entities
People
- A. J. Yakutis
- L. G. Taff
- S. Sayer
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology