String of satellites transits moon?

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    Moon Satellites String
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the observation of a string of satellites transiting the moon, focusing on identifying the satellites and understanding the nature of the observation. Participants explore the conditions of the observation, potential explanations, and the challenges of identifying satellites in low Earth orbit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant observed a string of satellites transiting the moon, noting that it is typically one satellite at a time.
  • Another participant requests precise details of the observation, including location and exact time, to help identify the satellites.
  • The observer provides their location and an estimated time for the observation, although they express uncertainty about the exact timing.
  • A participant confirms the location is near Portland, OR, and discusses the moon's rising time, indicating a potential discrepancy in the timing of the satellite observation.
  • The observer suggests that the satellites must have been in orbit due to their vector, despite confusion about their grouping.
  • Another participant mentions that they did not see any transits that night and speculates that the satellites could have been too dim to be displayed in their software.
  • One participant raises the possibility of misidentifying the objects as a flock of birds, questioning whether they could appear similar to satellites through the telescope.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the identity of the observed objects, and multiple competing explanations remain, including the possibility of satellites or birds.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the exact timing of the observation and the visibility of the satellites, as well as the potential for confusion with terrestrial objects due to the low horizon.

Who May Find This Useful

Astronomy enthusiasts, satellite observers, and individuals interested in observational techniques may find this discussion relevant.

micahgtb
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I was out observing tonight with my Orion Skyquest 8" Dobsonian. I was observing the moon, when I happened to notice a string of satellites transiting the moon. It is not abnormal for me to observe satellites in Earth orbit that transit the moon with my scope but it is usually one at a time. I did not have time to count them but they appeared something like this.


ssss ssss ssss

It was either three or four in a row separated by a bit of space, like I have illustrated above. Does anybody have an idea of what these satellites are and what they are used for?
 
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If you give me precise details of the observation, I can positively ID the satellites for you:
Location.
Exact time.
 
Location was slightly SE 45° 2629' North 122° 693' West. The time is a bit tricky as I had temporarily lost my phone in the field I was observing at but my best guess would be around 10:05pm - 10:35pm.
 
So that's near Portland, OR? I have the moon rising after midnight.

[edit] Er, wait - it was pulling the time zone from Windows. I still have it rising around 10:30, unless you don't do DST there. But I'm not seeing any satellites coming close to it around that time.
 
Last edited:
I was observing right when the moon was rising as the horizon at my location was very low. It definitely could have been later, I tried to find them on Starry Night Pro Plus 6 to no avail (although it seems to me that the timing is a bit off). And given their vector they had to be in orbit and not inside the atmosphere. It was just the grouping that confused me. Thank you for help anyway!
 
I'm using Starry Night 5. I didn't see any transits that night at all. It is possible they were too dim to be displayed by Starry Night (you would have seen it sillouhetted).

There is all sorts of crap up there - often when a rocket goes up a booster will end up in orbit with the satellite it launched, at least for a while. I've particularly noticed with the ISS that there is often a trailer or two with it.
 
Is it possible to rule out a flock of birds in the distance (you mentioned the moon was very close to the horizon)? I know you mentioned, "given their vector they had to be in orbit and not inside the atmosphere." But it is conceivable that if earthbound objects were flying somewhat toward or away (most likely away in this case) from the observing point they might appear, through the telescope, to have an inclination similar to objects in orbit.
 

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