5 June 2006

Observing Location	McGraw Ave @ Metropolitan Ave, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	2310-2325 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	I Had been out at about 2200 EDT and it was mostly cloudy with some breaks between the couds. The Moon was shining through the thin clouds neat the breaks and an occasional star would be seen when A break passed over it. It looked like it might be breaking up though so when an alarm wert off for a satellite passing close to the Moon I headed back downstairs and couldn't find a cloud anywhere I looked. There was no moisture ring around the Moon and Mag 3.9 and 4.7 stars were seen close by so I have to assume the armosphere was pretty transparent. The temperature was a little cool for the season but did not feel moist although rain is expected tomorrow.
Instruments	Naked-eye observing - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target	Lacrosse 5 Visible Pass
Constellation	Vir
Category	Satellite
Time	2006.0605.2319 EDT
Comments	I picked up the satellite moving through the sky horizontally about 15° west of the Moon and tracked it until it was about 10° from the limb. It appeared that it would pass beneath the Moon. I did not recover it on the dark side of the Moon. From CalSky.com: Satellit USA 182/Lacrosse 5 (28646 2005-016-A) Accurate time: 23h19m15.33s Close to Moon. Separation=0.462° Position Angle=140.9° Angular Velocity=19.6'/s Angular diameter=3.0" cylindrical, 18.0m x 4.5m Satellite at Azimuth=231.3° SW Altitude= 29.6° Distance=1267.6 km Magnitude=3.6mag Satellite apparently moves to clock-face direction 8:55 o'clock Centerline, Closest Point: Longitude= 74°10'56" W Latitude=+40°38'59" Distance=20.34 km Azimuth=236.9° WSW Path direction: 146.7° SSE ground speed: 7.342 km/s width: 23.4 km max. duration: 1.5 s Heavens Above listed the pass at Mag 3.2 and going from the WNW at 2314 EDT through maximum altitude in the WSW at 2319 and disappearing in the SW at 2319. That would explain why I did not recover it after it passed the Moon and maybe why I lost it where I did. The Moon is obviously gibous but it doesn't look like it is past First Quarter by too much (3Jun06 @ 1906 EDT, longer than I thought). I did not see Mare Crissium but Mare Fecunditatis, Mare Tranquilitatis and Mare Nubium were obvious. The Moon is to the right and a little higher than Spica. Jupiter is out to the left of Spica about the same distance away as the Moon is and at about the same altitude. Very high above Spica is Arcturus. This configuration reminds me of a brass heel indicator on a boat, Jupiter, Spica and the Moon marking the arc at the bottom of the instrument where the angle of heel is inscribed and the line from Arcturus to Spica representing the plumb bob. This effect should be even bore striking tomorrow night when the big, bright Moon will be between the smaller and fainter Spica and Jupiter.