Geosynchronous satellites

Swarm of geosynchronous satellites, illuminated from east to west (camera is pointing roughly south at 30 degrees latitude) from McDonald Observatory sky camera. Exposure time 50s with a Stellacam3, no gamma correction or additional gain. There are a few hot pixels that I have not removed, but these are easily distinguished from the satellites as they are illuminated, wax, and wane during the night. Two frames are double-length exposures, and you'll also see a low-orbit satellite and a meteor. See "Friends of the 82" on Facebook for more information, including the original MPEG video, which is much sharper and permits frame-by-frame inspection of more than dozen satellites.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• astronomy

[x2malandy]

I saw on the news where a rocket was launched from the cape, I thought I would look for geosynchronous on the tube and all I can say about your vid is COOL BEANS. I was on a fishing trip in Wisconson a couple of years ago, took my 35 mm camera, on tripod aimed to the ssw around 35 to 45 degrees up, and let it expose about 2 1/2 minutes. I did count 17 geosynchronous satellites in the pic. No one in my circle of people could give a flip what was on my pic. I saved your vid because its COOL.

[ParaglidingManiac]

Is it possible to get a map of them over my location? How probable is it to spot ANYTHING when filming/observing through some serious equipment?

[sparktastic1]

Great work. Nice unique perspective here..