Observed Passes of Satellites, Rocket Bodies (etc.) in 2020

[Christopher K.]

Upcoming predicted passes for the night of 15 April:
USA 186, max mag 2.5 while moving SE to NE (max altitude 32˚NE at 8:26pm).
---This is an American military satelliate. It will emerge from the Earth's shadow in Corvus, cut through Virgo then go over Arcturus and below the Big Dipper.
the Abrixas rocket, max mag 2.0 while moving NW to SE (max altitude 69˚SW at 8:36pm).
---This rocket launched a German X-ray detector in 1999. It will cut through Auriga and Gemini, then go between Leo and the Winter Triangle.
Fregat/IRIS, max mag 2.2 while moving SE to N (max altitude 67˚NE at 8:44pm).
---This is an Russian demo satellite with inflatable panels. It will cut through Leo and the Big Dipper.
Hubble Space Telescope, max mag 2.0 while moving W to S (max altitude 28˚SW at 8:56pm).
---It will pass just under Rigel and Sirius, then fade into the Earth's shadow before reaching Corvus.
the Resurs 01 rocket, max mag 2.4 while moving NE to N (max altitude 39˚NE at 9:30pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in November 1994. It will exit the Earth's shadow under the Big Dipper, then pass under Polaris.

Here is the NOAA forecast for 9pm CDT...
precipitation potential, 0%
sky cover, 20%
relative humidity, 53%
temperature, 14˚C
surface wind, NE 8 km/h
Danko's Clear Dark Sky states that during HRPO's viewing time the transparency rating will be "average" (3 out of 5) and the seeing rating will be "poor" (2 out of 5); this is an excellent forecast; what few clouds there are should go away as the night goes on, and the transparency may improve around 4am.

[Christopher K.]

Here is the NOAA forecast for 9:15pm CDT...
precipitation potential, 0%
sky cover, 12%
relative humidity, 74%
temperature, 21˚C
surface wind, NE 5 km/h
Danko's Clear Dark Sky states that until 1am (about the time the relative humidity reaches 90%) both the transparency rating and the seeing rating will be "average" (3 out of 5). This is an excellent forecast!

Upcoming predicted passes for the night of 20 April:
Resurs DK-1, max mag 2.4 while moving NW to SE (max altitude 62˚SW at 8:20pm).
---This is a Russian remote sensing spacecraft. It will cut through the bowl of the Big Dipper and the hind quarters of Leo.
SeaSat 1, max mag 2.4 while moving NE to SW (max altitude 77˚SE at 8:26pm).
---This Earth-observing satellite had an electrical short just a few months after its 1978 launch. It will cut through the handle of the Big Dipper and the head of Leo.
an Atlas-Centaur rocket body, max mag 1.0 while moving NW to SE (max altitude 65˚NE at 8:41pm).
---This rocket left Vandenberg in September 2012. It will just clip the corner of the Big Dipper then pass under Leo.
Fregat/IRIS, max mag 2.4 while moving S to NW (max altitude 73˚W at 8:54pm).
---This is an Russian demo satellite with inflatable panels. It will exit the Earth's shadow due south, then pass between Leo and Gemini, then between the Big Dipper and Auriga.
H-IIA rocket body, max mag 2.2 while moving S to NW (max altitude 71˚SW at 8:59pm).
---It will pass over the Winter Triangle, Gemini and Auriga.
Chang Zheng 2C rocket body, max mag 2.5 while moving NE to S (max altitude 73˚SE at 9:10pm).
---It will cut through the handle of the Big Dipper and the body of Leo.
Cosmos 1825, max mag 2.1 while moving N to NE (max altitude 76˚NE at 9:21pm).
---This is a defunct Soviet intelligence satellite. It will fade into the Earth's shadow right after passing over the Big Dipper.
the Resurs 01 rocket, max mag 2.2 while moving NW to NW (max altitude 54˚NW at 9:50pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in November 1994. It will exit the Earth's shadow just west of the Big Dipper and move down toward the horizon.

Remember, the lower the magnitude number the brighter the object.
To obtain a skymap for each visible pass, I suggest Chris Peat's Heavens Above website; you will have to enter your exact location.

[Christopher K.]

Between 8:10pm and 9:50pm there will be at least ten visible passes of non-Starlink objects through the Baton Rouge skies. Please use Chris Peat’s Heavens Above site to generate a timetable for your specific location.

[Christopher K.]

Upcoming early predicted passes for the evening of Sunday 26 April:
USA 186, max mag 2.1 while moving SW to NW (max altitude 51˚W at 9:01pm).
---This is an American military satellite. It will cut through Gemini then over Auriga.
SeaSat 1, max mag 2.5 while moving NE to SW (max altitude 78˚NW at 9:06pm).
---This Earth-observing satellite had an electrical short just a few months after its 1978 launch. It will pass west of the Big Dipper, then between Leo and Gemini.

[Christopher K.]

Upcoming predicted passes for the evening of 27 April:
an H-IIA 2020 rocket (Spacetrack #27601), max mag 1.9 while moving SE to N (max altitude 76˚NE at 8:41pm).
---This rocket left Tanegashima in December 2002. It will cut through the hind quarters of Leo, then pass above the bowl of the Big Dipper.
a rocket body (possibly a Zenit-2M, Spacetrack #31793), max mag 2.4 while moving N to SE (max altitude 52˚NE at 8:55pm).
---This left Kazakhstan in June 2007. It will cut through the handle of the Big Dipper, then pass between Arcturus and Leo.
Cosmos 2487, max mag 2.2 while moving S to NE (max altitude 68˚SE at 9:00pm).
---This is a Russian military satellite. It will cut through the hind quarters of Leo and the handle of the Big Dipper.
the Resurs 01 rocket, max mag 2.2 while moving NE to N (max altitude 37˚NE at 9:19pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in November 1994. It will exit the Earth's shadow just north of Arcturus, then pass under the Big Dipper
the Cosmos 2360 rocket, max mag 2.3 while moving NW to NW (max altitude 72˚NW at 10:13pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in July 1998. It will fade into the Earth's shadow as it passes between the Big Dipper and Gemini.

Here is the NOAA forecast for 9:15pm CDT...
precipitation potential, 0%
sky cover, 10%
relative humidity, 54%
temperature, 20˚C
surface wind, SE 10 km/h
Danko's Clear Dark Sky states that during HRPO's viewing time the transparency rating will be "transparent" (5 out of 5) and the seeing rating will be "poor" (2 out of 5). If the forecasts hold, there will be excellent conditions during the 9pm hour!

The Danko Clear Dark Sky Tool:
https://www.cleardarksky.com/c/HghLndRdObLAkey.html

[Christopher K.]

Upcoming predicted passes for the evening of 29 April:
Cosmos 1825, max mag 2.2 while moving N to S (max altitude 88˚W at 8:14pm).
---This Russian craft lifted off in March 1987. It will cut straight overhead, almost hitting the head of Leo.
a rocket body (possibly a Zenit-2M, Spacetrack #31793), max mag 2.5 while moving N to SE (max altitude 48˚NE at 8:26pm).
---This left Kazakhstan in June 2007. It will cut through the handle of the Big Dipper, then pass over Arcturus and Spica.
Fregat/IRIS, max mag 2.3 while moving S to NW (max altitude 82˚W at 8:52pm).
---This is an Russian demo satellite with inflatable panels. It will cut through the sickle of Leo.
USA 186, max mag 1.2 while moving S to NW (max altitude 76˚W at 8:54pm).
---This is an American military satellite. It will pass between Leo and the waxing crescent Moon.
the Cosmos 2360 rocket, max mag 2.1 while moving NW to SE (max altitude 87˚SW at 9:42pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in July 1998. It will cut through the hind quarters of Leo, then fade into the Earth's shadow before it reaches Corvus.
the Resurs 01 rocket, max mag 2.3 while moving NW to NW (max altitude 53˚NW at 10:05pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in November 1994. It will exit the Earth's shadow above the Moon and Gemini, then pass over Auriga.

Here is the NOAA forecast for 9:15pm CDT...
precipitation potential, 0%
sky cover, 9%
relative humidity, 71%
temperature, 19˚C
surface wind, NW 13 km/h
Danko's Clear Dark Sky states that during HRPO's viewing time the transparency rating will be "above average" (5 out of 5) and the seeing rating will be "poor" (2 out of 5). If the forecasts hold, there will be excellent conditions during the 9pm hour--and the these conditions will remain consistent all night long!

[Christopher K.]

From 8:25pm to 10:10pm Thursday the 30th, there are four passes predicted to be mag 2.5 or brighter. Please consult Chris Peat's Heavens Above for particulars. Experiment: from your location can you see passes as dim as mag 3.0?

[Christopher K.]

Upcoming predicted passes for the evening of 1 May:
an H-IIA 202 rocket (Spacetrack #27601), max mag 2.4 while moving SE to N (max altitude 41˚NE at 8:17pm).
---This rocket left Tanegashima in December 2002. It will pass over Spica and Arcturus, then under the Big Dipper.
SJ 16-02, max mag 1.8 while moving SE to NE (max altitude 37˚E at 9:06pm).
---This is probably a Chinese technology satellite. It will exit the Earth's shadow right by Spica, then go under Arcturus.
the Cosmos 2360 rocket, max mag 2.1 while moving NW to SE (max altitude 81˚NE at 9:11pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in July 1998. It will pass over the Big Dipper then pass very close to Denebola (the tail of Leo).
the Resurs 01 rocket, max mag 2.4 while moving E to N (max altitude 34˚NE at 9:15pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in November 1994. It will exit the Earth's shadow to the lower left of Arcturus, then hit the horizon due north.
the Cosmos 2219 rocket, max mag 2.2 while moving NW to NE (max altitude 60˚NE at 9:53pm).
---This Zenit-2 launched with its payload in November 1992. It will come up from the northern horizon and enter the Earth's shadow between the Big Dipper and Arcturus.

Here is the NOAA forecast for 9:15pm CDT...
precipitation potential, 0%
sky cover, 8%
relative humidity, 61%
temperature, 22˚C
surface wind, S 3 km/h
Danko's Clear Dark Sky states that at this time both the transparency rating and the seeing rating will be "average" (3 out of 5). If the forecasts hold, there will be excellent conditions from nightfall to about 3am!

The list for Saturday night will be posted tomorrow at about lunchtime.

By the way, note the lists for the last few evenings. It will be obvious that the same objects very often visit Baton Rouge over and over again, like a good friend. Can you set a personal best for the number of times you catch the same satellite or rocket body paying a visit?

[Christopher K.]

Upcoming predicted passes for the evening of 2 May:
USA 186, max mag 1.0 while moving SE to N (max altitude 68˚E at 8:46pm).
---This is an American military satellite. It will pass east of Leo and through the Big Dipper.
the Cosmos 2360 rocket, max mag 2.1 while moving NW to SE (max altitude 75˚NE at 8:55pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in July 1998. It will pass through the bowl of the Big Dipper then pass east of Leo.
an H-IIA 202 rocket (Spacetrack #37159), max mag 0.9 while moving W to NE (max altitude 69˚N at 9:12pm).
---This rocket left Tanegashima in September 2010. It will pass between Gemini and Venus.
SJ 16-02, max mag 1.2 while moving S to NE (max altitude 82˚SE at 9:21pm).
---This is probably a Chinese technology satellite. It will pass right under the Moon, then cut through the handle of the Big Dipper.
the Cosmos 2219 rocket, max mag 2.3 while moving N to E (max altitude 54˚NE at 9:36pm).
---This Zenit-2 launched with its payload in November 1992. It will pass under the Big Dipper and enter the Earth's shadow near Arcturus.
the Resurs 01 rocket, max mag 1.5 while moving E to N (max altitude 66˚NE at 9:38pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in November 1994. It will exit the Earth's shadow to the upper left of Arcturus, then hit the horizon just west of north.
a Centaur rocket body (Spacetrack #26906), max mag 2.1 while moving SW to NE (max altitude 72˚SE at 9:42pm).
---This Atlas IIAS launched in September 2001. It will pass under Leo and the Big Dipper.
the Cosmos 2297 rocket, max mag 2.3 while moving E to NE (max altitude 53˚E at 9:44pm).
---This Zenit-2 launched with its payload in November 1994. It will exit the Earth's shadow near Arcturus then hit the horizon just east of north.
Cosmos 2428, max mag 2.5 while moving NW to SE (max altitude 83˚NE at 10:00pm).
---This Russian military spacecraft launched in June 2007. It will cut through the bowl of the Big Dipper then enter the Earth's shadow between Arcturus and Leo.
the Cosmos 2227 rocket, max mag 2.3 while moving NE to NE (max altitude 66˚NE at 10:16pm).
---This Zenit-2 launched with its payload in December 1992. It will exit the Earth's shadow right by the handle of the Big Dipper, then head straight down to the horizon.

Here is the NOAA forecast for 9:15pm CDT...
precipitation potential, 0%
sky cover, 23%
relative humidity, 71%
temperature, 22˚C
surface wind, S 10 km/h
Danko's Clear Dark Sky states that at this time both the transparency rating will be "too cloudy to forecast" (0 out of 5) and the seeing rating will be "poor" (2 out of 5). This is disparate information, so it's hard to discern what the viewing conditions will be tonight.

[Christopher K.]

Upcoming predicted passes for the evening of Thursday 7 May:
SJ 16-02, max mag 1.4 while moving SW to NE (max altitude 82˚NW at 8:42pm).
---[/i]This is probably a Chinese technology satellite. It will cut through the head of Leo.[/i]
the Cosmos 2297 rocket, max mag 2.5 while moving S to NE (max altitude 42˚SE at 8:44pm).
---This Zenit-2 launched with its payload in November 1994. It will pass over Spica then very close to Arcturus.
an H-IIA 202 rocket (Spacetrack #27601), max mag 2.3 while moving S to NW (max altitude 63˚W at 9:01pm).
---This rocket left Tanegashima in December 2002. It will pass between Leo and Gemini.
an H-IIA 202 rocket (Spacetrack #37159), max mag 0.9 while moving W to E (max altitude 64˚N at 9:02pm).
---This rocket left Tanegashima in September 2010. It will pass just south of Venus, then cut through the Big Dipper.
USA 186, max mag 2.3 while moving SW to NW (max altitude 38˚W at 9:05pm).
---This is an American military satellite. It will pass over Procyon, through Gemini and over Canopus.
the Cosmos 2227 rocket, max mag 2.1 while moving S to NE (max altitude 73˚SE at 9:16pm).
---This Zenit-2 launched with its payload in December 1992. It will pass under Leo then just nick the handle of the Big Dipper.
the Resurs 01 rocket, max mag 1.6 while moving E to N (max altitude 59˚NE at 9:35pm).
---This Zenit 2 launched with its payload in November 1994. It will exit the Earth's shadow near Arcturus, then pass under the Big Dipper.
Lacrosse 5, max mag 2.3 while moving SW to NE (max altitude 61˚NW at 9:51pm).
---This American military reconnaissance satellite left Earth in Aprill 2005. It will pass between Leo and Gemini.
an Atlas Centaur rocket (Spacetrack #694), max mag 2.5 while moving SW to S (max altitude 77˚S at 10:23pm).
---This Centaur-D upper stage launched in November 1963. It will fade into the Earth's shadow as it passes Leo.
the Cosmos 2237 rocket, max mag 2.4 while moving NW to SW (max altitude 62˚SW at 10:23pm).
---This Zenit-2 launched with its payload in March 1993. It will enter the Earth's shadow while cutting through Leo.

Here is the NOAA forecast for 9:30pm CDT...
precipitation potential, 0%
sky cover, 0%
relative humidity, 55%
temperature, 20˚C
surface wind, SE 9 km/h
Danko's Clear Dark Sky states that during HRPO's viewing time the transparency rating will be "above average" (4 out of 5) and the seeing rating will be "poor" (2 out of 5). If the forecasts hold, there will be excellent conditions all night long!