Xref: utzoo sci.space:26433 sci.astro:10870
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!isis!scicom!wats
From: wats@scicom.AlphaCDC.COM (Bruce Watson)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro
Subject: COBE tumbling?
Message-ID: <8955@scicom.AlphaCDC.COM>
Date: 14 Dec 90 22:05:20 GMT
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: Alpha Science Computer Networks, Denver, Co.
Lines: 8


I have observed Cosmic Background Explorer twice
this month in the early evening twilight.  
As it has moved from my zenith to the pole star the satellite
varied in brightness from 0 mag to invisibility (+6) with a 
period of about 30 seconds.  Has the mission concluded and
the satellite uncontrolled or is sunlight hitting a flat
panel and reflecting specularly?