The Moon
"Oscar Zero"
Orbit type: Slightly elliptical, 356000/407000 km.
Diameter: 3480 km
Apparent cross-section: 0.5 degrees.
Notes: Round-trip path loss 251.5dB @ 144 MHz, 261.0 dB @ 432 MHz.
These figures include both the free-space round-trip path loss, and other
factors such as the size and reflectivity of the moon itself.
Standard
Keplerian Elements
do not seem to be available for the Moon. Instead, the Moon's position is
predicted using a trigonometric series expansion (sine and cosine terms) such
as that published in the Astronomical Almanac. Note that the rise and set
(AOS/LOS) times published in the Astronomical Almanac, World Almanac, and other
tabulations, assume a particular
atmospheric refraction,
and allow for the width of the lunar disk, so that the edge of the moon is
visible when the center is still about 0.5 degree below a level horizon.
WinOrbit makes no such assumption and reports the "true" position of the
center of the moon's disk. The reported distances (altitude and range) also
neglect the radius of the moon.
Tracking the Moon with WinOrbit: The sun and moon will be found in the
Tracking
list in the Main Window ahead of any satellite maps. They are also
found in the Satellite Selection list in the
Print Dialog Box.
References:
"Position and Phase of the Moon, 1987-2000", Michael R. Owen, W9IP/2,
QEX, June 1987, p. 4.
"Oscar Zero: An Introduction to EME for the Satellite Operator", Ray Soifer, W2RS, The AMSAT Journal, v. 14, no. 6, November/December 1991, p. 21, and v. 15, no. 4, September/October 1992, p. 19.
"Astronomical Almanac for the Year 1994", US Government Printing Office, Washington, 1993, p. D46. (A new edition is published each year).
Satellite List
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