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Any clues to this?

  • dmcdona
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18 years 9 months ago #13604 by dmcdona
Any clues to this? was created by dmcdona
Folks - just imaged M51 to get the recent SN. When I looked at the image however, I noticed that I imaged another moving object - probably a fast-moving asteroid. But on closer inspection of the image, it seems there are two objects moving parallel to each other...

The object to the right is quite bright, but look closely just to the left for the second trail.

SNPro doesn't have this kind of detail so I can't identify the object(s)

So, firstly can anyone see TWO objects and secondly, any ideas?

I have the originals if anyone wants them.

Image details:

C8 with 6.3 reducer
Meade DSI
Image enhancement with Photoshop
Image start time: 22:43 UT
Image end time: 22:51 UT

Total 9 images at 60 seconds each


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18 years 9 months ago #13605 by voyager
Replied by voyager on topic Re: Any clues to this?
probably a constelation of satelites.

My Home Page - www.bartbusschots.ie

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18 years 9 months ago #13606 by shanemcd
Replied by shanemcd on topic Re: Any clues to this?
I zoomed in using PSP I can see an object at the very very bottom of the image but the parallel paths in the image don't match this object, but I can see both trails.

However, I don't think the trails are 100% parallel.

Very confusing ! :?:

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18 years 9 months ago #13607 by shanemcd
Replied by shanemcd on topic Re: Any clues to this?
Yes, could very well be 2 satelites in a similar but not 100% exact orbit.

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  • DaveGrennan
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18 years 9 months ago #13608 by DaveGrennan
Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: Any clues to this?
Dave,

Thats fascinating. I just checked SKymap Pro and there are no recorded asteroids at that position. Considering the amount it moved in that short space of time it would have to be very close and moving very rapidly.

Dave I dont wanna get you too excited but I think you should consider contacting someone like Brian Marsden at the IAU. My suspicion, and I say that most reservedly Is that this may well be an asteroid. Perhaps the second parallel *could* possibly be a fragment of the brighter one. I'm just speculating but if a previously unknown asteroid collided with something and split, both components thrown into a new trajectory. This may well be what you recorded.

I'll PM you with some e-mail addys.

Fingers crossed!

Regards and Clear Skies,

Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
www.webtreatz.com
Equipment List here

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  • DaveGrennan
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18 years 9 months ago #13609 by DaveGrennan
Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: Any clues to this?
I dont beleive these are satellites because they are moving way too slowly, only about 2.5 arcminutes in the entire exposure.

Regards and Clear Skies,

Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
www.webtreatz.com
Equipment List here

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