A Non-profit organization promoting Astronomical research in the Midsouth.
Collecting, formatting and dispersing data on Satellites, Asteroids and
other astral phenomenon. Currently membership is open to anyone with an
active interest in Astronomy. A set of bylaws is under study. Organized
April 1999, Jim Nix, current C0-Ordinator.
Primarily collecting, formatting and dispersing data on
Satellites and Asteroids and other phenomenon. It is primarily
a Hobby to many but it does have constructive data collecting aspects for
use by current researchers who analyze Satellite/Asteroid/Comet trajectories
and behaviour.
There is further data use by those who write and modify current software
used in tracking objects in space. Movement in space especially
near the earth involves mass, momentum effects of Gravity, Solar/other
radiation and atmosphere.
In the future, seminars and educational assistance to amateur astronomers
on:
Astrometrics- The math of Astronomy
Satellite tracking-methods of tracking
Asteroid/Comet tracking-methods of tracking
Equipment- Telescopes, binoculars, Computers
(including software)ccd's,
timepieces, cameras.
Assist area amateur astronomers, maybe
occasional
group observations
(aka star parties)
Astral Photography for fun and research.
Who uses the data collected?:
- COSPAR- Committee on Space and Research and its members.
- Computer programmers- involved with tracking software often
whose goal is to predict when
objects re-enter the atmoshpere, track asteroids
and other tasks. In particular Alan Pickup
and Harro Zimmer of Edinburgh Observatory and Berlin
Observatory, respectively.
- NEAR- The Near Earth Asteroid Research Center.
- Amateur Astronomers, Worldwide via the SeeSat List.
- Commercial Interests- Iridium Corp. and Motorola
- Local Weather stations who like to keep up with atmospheric
phenomenon. UFO reports,
caused by satellites, often result in calls to News
people and Police and can be attributed to
Satellites.
- US Air Force Space Command (NORAD) & NASA- to assist them in
keeping track of the
25,000 or so objects in Earth Orbit. A pilot program
to use Amateur astronomers to track Low
priority objects is rumored to be underway.
- Project analysts, Dr. Maley- project starshine, JSC, Houston;
Dr Dennerl - project
Abrixas, Max Planck Institute, Potsdam.
Current Mailing Address:
Mid-South Astronomy Group
3758 South Lakewood
Memphis, TN 38128
E-mail
MSAG@Sat-Tracks.com, or, nixj@bellsouth.net
Jim Nix, current Co-Ordinator
Websites:
1) Sat-Tracks.com, or,
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Galaxy/3070/Sat-Tracks.htm
2) Satellite pass predictions for the Mid-south:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Galaxy/3070/passsat.htm
3) MAG's Bellsouth Buzz community pages Website