Survey of Geosynchronous Satellite Glints

摘要

We present USNO Flagstaff Station optical photometric measurements from an intense campaign to monitor geosynchronous satellite glints in support of interferometric measurements at the Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer (NPOI). While observations were obtained during four glint seasons over two years, we concentrate here on observations from the vernal equinox 2009 glint season. In particular, 8 consecutive nights of photometry were obtained of DirecTV-9S which show the evolution of glints from that satellite. This is of particular interest since interferometric fringes were obtained at NPOI during two of these nights. We discuss the timing, shapes, and durations of the glints along with notional glint models. We also briefly discuss glints from other satellites in the constellation surrounding DirecTV-9S; GE-2, GE-4, and DirecTV- 4S.