Found a moving streak in my frames - Is it an asteroid?

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ZigZagZebraz avatar

Hi All,

Was christening my new OAG and was shooting the Horsehead Nebula (IC434). A few frames into the session, saw a white streak across the frame. Thought my camera is cooked as it appeared to be along the bayer matrix lines (bad seeing).

Subsequently, saw that the streak was moving in the next frame. So it is not my camera. But, if it is a moving object, it was not a plane or man-made satellite as it was moving too slow.

Was using an Askar V at 384mm (Reducer) and IMX571 camera. The field of view is 3.49° x 2.34° (from Astronomy.tools). It took about 5 frames to cross the field of view. Each frame is 240 seconds (4 minutes).

Made a gif using an online tool. Attaching it here (hopefully it shows).

ezgif.com-speed.png

Is it possible it is/was an asteroid?

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Tony Gondola avatar

Satellites in high altitude orbits can do that, it’s much to fast for an asteroid.

Quinn Groessl avatar

It’s a satellite, and that’s one of the highest traffic areas of the sky for satellites.

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ZigZagZebraz avatar

Thanks, Tony and Quinn.

Brian Puhl avatar

Welcome to the geostationary belt :) Imaging here is a pain sometimes.

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