Optical Observations Of Artificial Earth Satellites PDF Download

This paper deals with the optical methods of determining and timing positions of artificial earth-satellites in space, by observation from the surface of the earth. Precise positions of an artificial satellite are essential for the calcula tion of its orbit, and on the basis of such data, it is possible to derive important information on the physical properties of the upper strata of the terrestrial atmosphere. With sufficiently precise orbital parameters it is possible to find the distribution of densities in the upper strata of the terrestrial atmosphere. It is also possible to investigate tidal effects in the high atmospheric strata.