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(meteorobs) FWD Re: NHAS Re: Meteors in Sacramento
Here's another interpretation of this interesting fact: a bit off-topic,
but nonetheless apropos for visual meteor observers.
Lew
>Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 07:08:51 -0500
>From: Mike Stebbins <NHAS@compuserve.com>
>Subject: Re: NHAS Re: Meteors in Sacramento
>Sender: Mike Stebbins <NHAS@compuserve.com>
>To: Karen & Lew Simmons & Gramer <lewkaren@tiacdot net>
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>
>Launching in the direction of the rotation of the Earth buys a lot of
>energy, launching against it requires massive amounts of Energy, launching
>near the Equator towards the East applies the maximum amount of addtional
>'Earth spin' to the vehicle. Polar orbits tend to allow the probe more of
>the Earths surface area, since the orbit has to be about 90 minutes (else
>the object would fall back (too slow) or escape (too fast), each pass
>brings up a different band of Earth (snce the orbit is locked but the Earth
>spins while the probe makes a pass. Get a copy of STS-Orbiter and watch
>Mir for a few days, the locked orbit an band type passes are apparent.
>Launching East while giving a big boost, does not allow much of the Earths'
>surface to be examined, but does allow access to space cheaper. Since most
>people live below 45 degrres North and South, an East orbit gives an
>overflight of populated areas very well, but not the poles.
>
>Mike
>
>
>> Interesting, Mike, I'd never noticed that before! (While meteor
>observing,
>> you tend to see quite a few satellites naked eye.) What is the logistical
>> reason for this? Also, is it still true that most satellites in polar
>> orbits tend to be Russian or European in origin?
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Mike Stebbins Independent Contractor at: nhas@compuserve.com
>New Hampshire Astronomical Society
>http://newww.com/org/nhas
>