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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1569      2000 Oct 09 05.59UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK             GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK
WORLD WIDE WEB                    http://www.demon.co.uk/astronomer
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GAMMA RAY BURSTERS - LAUNCH OF HETE-2
The editor watched live WEBCAM pictures of the launch of HETE-2
this morning on the NASA-HETE WWW site. We are delighted that this
launch was successful and, as those attending the AGM last
Saturday will know, this opens up an opportunity for TA observers
to attempt the very difficult task of recording OT's of Gamma
Ray Bursters. The successful detection of GRB 000926 by Arto
Oksanen which he described at the Basingstoke meeting will no
doubt be a great inspiration in this regard.

Announcement from WWW site:
HETE SUCCESSFUL  LAUNCH, 2000 OCT 9
At 12:38 a.m. EDT the launch team was polled and a final clear was
given for the L-1011 aircraft to takeoff. At 12:48 a.m. the L-1011
Stargazer aircraft with the Pegasus/HETE-2 vehicle left the runway
at Kwajalein. At 1:25 a.m. the Pegasus was switched to internal
power. Pegasus was deployed at 1:38:18 a.m. EDT.(5:38  GMT).
Successful Stage 2 separation at a MET 516 min. Stage 3 ignition
successful. Payload separation successful and on time at 1:50 a.m.
EDT. Estimated orbit 590km x 650km with an inclination of 1.95
degrees.

Guy M Hurst