VFMO captured on Sep. 8, 1999 while observing 1999 RN28
(then C72933 at NEOCP)

Now IDENTIFIED by Tony Beresford - Details

Image taken at 22:02:07 UT on Sep. 8, 1999
Exposure: 90s

Centre of the frame: R.A.= 22 13.9 Decl.= -13 53

A faint trail of VFMO can be spotted at the bottom of the frame (easily visible in full resolution).

Image taken at 22:03:58 UT on Sep. 8, 1999
Exposure: 90s

Centre of the frame: R.A.= 22 13.9 Decl.= -13 53

A faint trail of VFMO can be spotted in the lower left corner of the frame. Note apparent brightening by leaving of FOV.

Composition image of the two previous ones

The break in the trail of the VFMO is due to downloading and saving which lasted 20 seconds. Easily visible in full resolution. The object moved 5.28 arcmin during that time.

Blink of the two original images

1999 RN28 (then C72933) can be spotted near the center of the frame (easily visible in full resolution).

The angular velocity of this VFMO was approx. 15.8 deg/hr

About identification

This object was identified by Tony Beresford as 83 81A (14248) SAKURA 2B, a japanese comsat now abandoned (8.1 degree inclination), drifting just outside the geostationary belt. A lot of these old comsats give flashes of their solar panels every 12-120 seconds observed. Some are even visible in binoculars or naked eye.

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