Determining the Range of an Artificial Satellite Using its Observed Trigonometric Parallax

TL;DR

This paper explores how to determine the distance to artificial satellites by using simultaneous observations from multiple locations to measure their trigonometric parallax, without requiring prior orbit data or radar.

Contribution

It introduces a method to calculate satellite range solely from observed parallax angles obtained by multiple ground-based observers.

Findings

Demonstrates the feasibility of range determination through parallax measurements.

Provides a framework for satellite distance estimation without prior orbit knowledge.

Enhances observational techniques for tracking artificial satellites.

Abstract

Observing artificial satellites is a relatively new and unique branch of astronomy that is very interesting and dynamic. One specific aspect of observing these objects is that although they appear amongst the celestial background, as deep-sky objects do, their apparent locations amongst this background depend on where you are standing on Earth at a given time. This effect is known as parallax. When a satellite is observed at a specific time from a specific location, the satellite's equatorial coordinates can be determined using astrometric means. Its range from the observer, however, is still unknown unless the observer knows the satellite's precise orbit elements or has easy access to a radar station. However, when two or more observers, separated by some distance, observe the same satellite at the same time, their observations can be used to determine the range of the satellite using the satellite's observed trigonometric parallax.