WinOrbit: Satellite TrackingWinOrbit: Satellite TrackingThis page is devoted to satellite orbit prediction, tracking, and radio communication, with emphasis on low-cost and educational approaches for the do-it-yourselfer or hobbyist.
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Satellite tracking is aiming your binoculars, telescope, or radio antenna (beam or dish) at the predicted location of the satellite, and then following its predicted motion. Depending on the circumstances, this can be an entirely automated procedure, or it can be as simple as looking up at the proper quadrant of the sky at the right time, according to a pre-printed table (called an "ephemeris").
These topics are particularly interesting to amateur radio operators, since there are a number of artificial earth satellites which serve as radio relay stations for "hams". TVRO enthusiasts may also be interested in expanding their knowledge beyond the geostationary satellites (which are particularly easy to track since they don't appear to move). Others may be interested in visually observing the space station Mir, the space shuttle, or other objects. Some satellites can also be heard on simple scanner radios, and interesting information including pictures of the earth from weather satellites can be decoded from their transmissions.