ajs@hpfcla.UUCP (ajs) (12/01/84)
Today's paper carries an AP article titled "Scientists to study man-made
comet on Christmas". A West German satellite 70,000 miles over the
equatorial Pacific will dump a ball of barium early Christmas morning,
to study the solar wind. Researchers say it will appear as a dot about
as bright as Polaris, and expand rapidly to a red-yellow ball 1/6 the
size of the moon.
The artificial comet will be visible west of a line from Chicago to
southern Texas, before sunrise. Unfortunately, the article does not say
exactly when or where to look. Does anyone know the exact time, and the
coordinates over which the action will start? If so, please post your
answer. Thanks!
Alan Silverstein, Hewlett-Packard Fort Collins Systems Division, Colorado
{ihnp4 | hplabs}!hpfcla!ajs, 303-226-3800 x3053, N 40 31'31" W 105 00'43"