Satellite Tracking and Observation

Under Construction

Also take a look at past years for interesting images and projects.I like to call my Images "Now & Laters". Observe Now and Share Later.
Images are made from a live stack of many images usually around 3 seconds for each frame. The stack itself is around 3 Minutes in duration.A dark frame is removed for each frame during the live stack.Minimal processing is performed during the live stack.   No post processing is performed on the final image.These images can also be browsed in the object image page.Clicking on an image will open the full size image in another page or a GalleryCheck back often as I work on projects in the observatory

Mind's Eye Observatory in the Press Click Here   

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Satellite Tracking Examples

A Brief Overview of Satellite Tracking

A typical spacecraft tracking run consist of downloading current NORAD Two Line elements (TLE) from a few sources such as  Celestrak., Space-Track. and Mike McCants repository. After updating the TLE in all software being used Target selection is the next step. 


Normal mount calibration and camera startup would be done at this point. Checking the GPS almanac updates and ensuring a GPS lock for accurate time is next. Performing Telescope focusing and  taking camera calibration frames is next. After calibrations are done we can slew the scope to an area close to the satellite pass and perform a plate solve-sync to check and refine position errors. 


Next I slew to the predicated pass position and await acquisition of the signal. The mount is configured to slew or "leapfrog" ahead of the pass while the camera takes exposers. When the signal is lost in the field of view the mount will again slew "leapFrog" ahead of the satellite and await the acquisition of signal again.  This "leapfrog process will continue until stopped manually or the signal goes below my set parameters such as air mass settings. When imaging a Geostationary satellite the mount would slew to aquire the signal and tracking would be turned off to keep the target centered.


Later these images can be used to measure the position based on the star field  using "astrometry" and reported.





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