[amsat-bb] Visually observing the effects of the AO-40 mean motion change?

[Dquagliana@xxxxxxx]

The following is a write-up that evolved from a discussion I 
had with a coworker on the AO-40 mean motion change.

Given that AO-40 had a mean motion change, several people
have deduced that there was some sort of propulsive event.  

<Speculation follows>
If the propulsion vector was not parallel to the Z axis, then 
isn't it possible that AO-40 is now in a wobbled spin or even
in a tumble? It might be interesting to try to observe AO-40 
with a telescope and a CCD when the observer is in darkness 
and AO-40 is illuminated. If the satellite was in a tumble, and 
the geometry was exactly correct between the sun, the observer, 
and the satellite, then there *could* be reflections at some rate 
unrelated to the old spin rate. Perhaps more likely, there might 
be an observable change in the light curve (as measurable with 
a CCD over several minutes) that is not related to the spin rate.

The old measured spin rate was approximately 3.5 RPM 
back in January and should not have changed much since then. 
Note that it's not necessary to see any features on AO-40 (you
won't), just measure the brightness of the speck of light over time.

Has anyone already tried looking at AO-40 with a telescope/CCD
to measure the light curve?

Douglas KA2UPW
"Now where did I put that peltier cooler?"
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