Specular Satellite Reflection and the 1985 March 19 Optical Outburst in Perseus
Abstract
An analysis of the bright photographically recorded flash of Mar. 19, 1985 shows that its celestial position is most coincident with the trajectory of Cosmos 1400, a Soviet electronic intelligence spacecraft. This artificial earth satellite was found to have passed across the coordinates of the flash point within the error box defined and has been recently observed to have an optical behavior pattern capable of generating intense mirrorlike glints. Two other documented flashes are found to be correlated to the simultaneous presence of earth satellites in the fields of view. It is suggested that earth satellites are a likely source of many isolated, nonmeteoric flashes seen by ground-based observers. However, three unrelated transient optical emissions reported from a gamma-ray burst source in the supernova remnant N49 were analyzed and found not to coincide with the known satellite population.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- June 1987
- DOI:
- 10.1086/184909
- Bibcode:
- 1987ApJ...317L..39M
- Keywords:
-
- Artificial Satellites;
- Astronomical Photography;
- Cosmos Satellites;
- Specular Reflection;
- Bursts;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Optical Tracking;
- Astronomy;
- SKY PHOTOGRAPHS