Identification

[Big Bang!]

Evening folks,

I am imaging the Flaming Star Nebula and am currently taking 30 minute frames through a Luminance filter.  Seeing is pretty good.  On order to check for drift on the mount I have just overlayed two images that are 120 minutes apart.  (Delighted to be able to say there was no discernible drift)  As I toggled between the two overlayed images I noticed one contact that was moving - only one.  When I zoom in on the image it is clearly a streak but the other stars are perfectly round.  I have checked the intervening images and it is also there, moving slowly across the image at a rate of about 18" of arc every 30 minute exposure.

I cannot find any reference in Stellarium, or on the Internet to a comet or asteroid currently in this location, RA 05.16.48  DEC 34.32.06 .  Anybody got any idea what it could be?  Surely too slow for a satellite?

Gus

 

 

[Davey-T]

Geostationary satellite maybe ?

Dave

[Stu]

There is an asteroid that looks like it might be the culprit? 446 Aeternitas, mag 13.7

[Big Bang!]

Yes, that does look about right; the track is correct anyway.  May I asked what database you have used to find that out?

 

Gus

[DeepSkyBagger]

Gus,

I've just checked the area using Guide 9.1. As Stu said, asteroid 446 Aeternitas was in the area. At the time you quoted, the asteroid was at 05h 15m49s +34 29' 22". Not quite where you said but pretty close. At this time it was moving at 18" per hour.