Hunting Satellites in Baja

[makobob]

Stargazing for satellites in Baja
by Makobob
Looking for satellites in Baja if fun. And stargazing in Baja is some of the best available. In some areas of the Baja the nearest light pollution might be a hundred miles away. This can make for some awesome viewing. Remember the campfire starts AFTER the satellite hunting is over.

Dusk, the first two hours after the sun goes down is the best viewing time. Dawn can be good too if you can get up early enough. The time frame is the same, two hours before sun up. Satellites are viewable only while they are not in the earths shadow. The sun must reflect off of them.

We are sitting out under the stars in our 0 gravity chairs at dusk. Green lasers in our hands waiting for that first satellite of the evening. The laser allows us to call out the number and track the bird so everyone can confirm the sighting. This is a usual nightly activity in camp, specially around the dark of the moon.

Some nights we spot only a few, some nights close to 30. Yes there are moore than that but we are all getting old. The eyesight is not as good as it once was. The younger guys seem to sea moore than the rest of us oldsters. The International Space Station, is the brightest thing in the sky.

You will know it when you sea it. No doubt will be in your mind. It is BRIGHT. I have seen it twice on the same evening. It orbits the earth about every hour and a half.

The space station is the largest MAN made object in our skies. There are about 35,000 other things in orbit. Some are smaller than a baseball, these you cannot sea with the naked eye. Larger objects the size of a washing machine can reflect enough light to be seen without binoculars.

So the dusk is gone and night is here. It is getting cold. Time to light the campfire, time to rehash the day. Time to enjoy the evening with friends. Welcome to mako-ville, our piece of PARADISE in Baja.

If YOU are enjoying these articles please take a minute to SUBSCRIBE to mako-ville.com and REMEMBER you are welcome to log on as a contributor and write your article on Baja with your pictures and video. Thank you ,Makobob.

[MrPukaShell]

The star gazing is definitely awesome in Baja. The lack of light makes spotting satellites a little easier than in the states. No moon or little moon makes a difference for sure. Can't wait for another session.

[Mahigeer]

Illegal laser pointers on Amazon.com
UPDATE, August 13 2013: Amazon.com has recently tightened its rules for selling laser pointers and related products. The new Amazon.com policy requires pre-approval of laser pointers and related products. The products are limited to Class 3R (5 mW) or less and must be branded; examples include Kensington, Quartet, 3M and Logitech. Products must have a testing report from Intertek, UL or SGS. For more details, see this story at LaserPointerSafety.com.

The information below, originally published in March 2013, is retained for historical purposes.
http://laserpointersafety.com/illega...lpointers.html
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Worldwide: Concern over laser dazzling of satellites
21 Jan 2012 -- Categories: Military and state use | Unusual lasers & uses
A new book by Economist reporter Benjamin Sutherland has a chapter about lasers being used by military forces to dazzle or possibly blind satellites. In an interview published January 21 2012, Sutherland discussed the “Endangered Birds” chapter in his book Modern Warfare, Intelligence and Deterrence:

“There are lasers used to hit satellites, it’s called dazzling, and it’s a show of force. There are a handful of countries that can do it. China dazzles U.S. and French satellites in low earth orbit not often, but regularly. What if a laser hits them, maybe lingers too long? A show of force can actually damage the satellite, knocks out some sensitive equipment. If that happens, and it’s from China, is that an act of war? What do you do? Political leaders have to be briefed on this. They have to make an effort to avoid escalation.”
From an interview in the Santa Barbara Independent conducted by Kevin Zambrano
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A Look at the Hazards of Green Laser Pointers
https://www.universetoday.com/101171...aser-pointers/

[makobob]

Good information Mahigeer, 4-5 years old, Amazon did tighten their requirements for lazer sales. And we do not point at the satellites just follow their path so everyone can find them.

QUESTION: with a 7 inch pointer in the palm of your hand, how close could you come to hitting something the size of a small house at 250 miles????
Just asking......

[Mahigeer]

Perhaps hitting a satellite is not easy, but I was hit in the 4Runner driving to the restaurant.


Very dangerous.

I was also hit by the glare of bouncing beam from the small pole on top of the 4x4 in front of the patio.

[makobob]

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Perhaps hitting a satellite is not easy, but I was hit in the 4Runner driving to the restaurant.


Very dangerous.

I was also hit by the glare of bouncing beam from the small pole on top of the 4x4 in front of the patio.

That means there will be no laser use when you are in camp, sorry you were tagged.