Leonids Meteor Shower Tonight

[CS]

Some might recall my friend, RZ,  that went to shoot the eclipse of the Sun last August. A regular "sky guy", I sent him Seapy's story about going after the Leonids meteor, and below you can see part of is response.  Perhaps some here, in what my  friend RZ (a Nikon guy himself) refers to as "the Nikon group" will find it to be of interest.

Read from bottom up.

"Cool!
I have a friend who worked on the ICESAT that was recently launched. It uses a green laser to measure it’s altitude to mm precision.
I’m pretty sure it could be photographed, if it happened to pass directly overhead at night. It would be a huge challenge to do so. Maybe worth suggesting to the Nikon group.

-RZ


On Nov 26, 2018, at 5:27 PM, Carl  wrote:

Turns out it was an Iridium reflection that fans of which would die for. Seapy just setup the intervalometer and went to his car, had no idea what he got until post processing.


Carl"

RZ just added satellite info.
https://icesat-2.gsfc.nasa.gov

[CS]

RZ just added satellite info.
https://icesat-2.gsfc.nasa.gov

Not much interest in this target it seems.

[Bruno Schroder]

I would not say so. I'm trying to figure out where it can be seen. The ice sheet story made me think it was only on the pole but apparently not. We would need a position calculator, like for the ISS.

[Seapy]

I have had a good look but it's as clear as mud to me.

I have found two locations which are over the ocean, in Southern hemisphere.  The satellites do orbit over the poles, presumably because of the reduced communication demand over the poles.  Perhaps their spread of orbits provide an optimum availability pattern.

If they are so elusive that explains why capturing the flares is such a challenge.  Also they are being phased out this year, perhaps they are no longer tracked once they are switched off.

I really have been very lucky. 

[CS]

I sent RZ a note asking for more info, if he has any I'll post it. 

[Seapy]

Thanks Carl.

[CS]

I really have been very lucky. 

Moreso than Bob Ross, you still have happy times! 

[CS]

I sent RZ a note asking for more info, if he has any I'll post it.

Just got a response from RZ.
"
The ICESATs cover the entire Earth’s surface every 90 days or so. So, every 90 days, there is a chance to photograph the green laser emission, which is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.
The problem is being ready when the satellite is overhead, and at night, with no cloud cover.

My friend suggested using this app: GoSatWatch

I haven’t bought the app yet.

-RZ"