Observing satellites?

[PoloMint]

How easy is it to observe TV satellites with telescopes?

The astronomical society at the University here has observing evenings (for people to go and look at stars and things). I happen to live with (and be friendly with) two of their high up members and was wondering if it would be worthwhile going along to one of the observing evenings and trying to get them to look at satellites for a change. I mentioned it to them and they didn’t seem to see any particular problems, but they didn’t seem that enthusiastic either.

The equipment they have is a 10 inch reflector and a 16 inch reflector telescope (Meade LX-200 16" and Meade LX-200 10" both Schmidt-Cassegrains if you really want to know). What could I expect to see through that? I don’t expect to see the writing on the side of them, but even seeing some glimmering dots would be fun

Is there any time that it would be best to try looking (except for at night with a clear sky)? And are there any particular collections of satellites that are easier to observe than others? Or am I just wasting my (and their) time?

Also does anyone know what coordinate/location type system is used by astronomers and how I could translate satellite locations onto that? I think that by knowing the azimuth and elevation for what I want to look at they should be able to figure it out, but I’m not sure. They seemed a bit confused by it all, and they probably think I am a bit mad.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Geostatioary satellites are about the size of a bus and a few thousand miles away.

Whilst they are usually covered in reflective material, the fact that they are above the equator means that the Sun that will provide the best light conditions for seeing them, will be either behind them in the daytime, or behind the Earth at night.

Elsewhere on the forum are some links I posted for tracking software, which should be able to point a telescope at geostationary objects, Ill try and fish it out, but Heavens Above probably has more up to date links.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Found it

http://www.satobs.org/orbsoft.html

 

[Channel Hopper]

Is it really worth it though ?

http://www.noao.edu/outreach/press/pr01/images/sat_sky_close_lg.jpg

 

[chrislloret]

Hmmm,that seems to be a video pic,blown up. Optically it should be clear but still only dots. After all,its a third way to the moon and with the most powerful telescopes we can´t even make out a landing site in perfect light conditions. I think they even turned hubble to do that and could not show anything and hubble is quite big indeed
C

 

[Channel Hopper]

Not quite a third of the way (22,247 miles as opposed to 240,000 ish).

Need to brush up on your Keplarian bits ( a day rotation as opposed to 28 days)

As for pictures of the moon landing sites, they did go there didnt they ?

 

[chrislloret]

Sorry, I just remembered dimmly an ASTRA Promo Video and there they said "about a third to the moon" but now when I think about it 35000 and a few km is really not that far....Still, just blobs on a telescope.

And yes, I think they did go, too many people involved unlike when Elvis went, he of course still lives in or around Tennesee.....

 

[BGonaSTICK]

...unlike when Elvis went...

Flippin heck. I never knew that Elvis went to the Moon?!?!?

 

[PaulR]

He went on a double decker bus which was then left there.

PaulR

 

[chrislloret]

I did mean, when Elvis went (away), not to the moon but more or less out of public life. Ok?
Greetings
C

 

[PoloMint]

Is it really worth it though ?

http://www.noao.edu/outreach/press/pr01/images/sat_sky_close_lg.jpg

Yes, well even if I could see something like that I would like to give it a try.

Thanks for the links CH.


I thought Elvis lived in Torremolinos now

 

[Channel Hopper]

Watneys Red Barrel is still in existence ?.............


That is weird

 

[waverider]

Watneys Red Barrel is still in existence ?.............


That is weird

Nah....CH the bus driver's got it!

 

[BGonaSTICK]

Well I certainly hope he wasn't drinking it when he crashed into the moon, otherwise Elvis's lawyers will have something to say about it...

 

[waverider]

BG the bus driver WAS Elvis........drinking Red Barrel

 

[BGonaSTICK]

Ah, now I'm confused.

I thought Red Barrel was a racehorse?

Was it a horse-drawn bus then?

How did the horse get into the spacesuite?

Was it like a pantomime-Fresian-spacesuite?

 

[waverider]

Ah, now I'm confused.

I thought Red Barrel was a racehorse?

Was it a horse-drawn bus then?

How did the horse get into the spacesuite?

Was it like a pantomime-Fresian-spacesuite?

Nah! BG Red Barrel was brewed by Watneys....which Elvis was drinking when driving a double decker bus which he crashed on the moon!

Hope that that makes things more clear for you m8

 

[T_G]

Elvis could not have crashed on the Moon because that would surely leave a huge crater visible from earth

 

[BGonaSTICK]

He wasn't THAT fat!

On the other hand...

... perhaps he crashed into the dark side

@Wavey, I remember WRB all too well. Tasted like the washing-up water after Sunday lunch!

All this talk of Elvis and Moon, we could easily be on TCD!

STICK

 

[Llew]

He wasn't THAT fat!

On the other hand...

... perhaps he crashed into the dark side

@Wavey, I remember WRB all too well. Tasted like the washing-up water after Sunday lunch!

All this talk of Elvis and Moon, we could easily be on TCD!

STICK

I was weaned on Bullard's of Norwich's mild - after that Red Barrel was the height of sophistication.

Llew