[FPSPACE] GALEX images an Earth-orbiting satellite

[LARRY KLAES]

http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA07250


Original Caption Released with Image:

Galaxies aren't the only objects filling up the view of NASA's Galaxy 
Evolution Explorer. Since its launch in 2003, the space telescope -- 
originally designed to observe galaxies across the universe in ultraviolet 
light -- has discovered a festive sky blinking with flaring and erupting 
stars, as well as streaking asteroids, satellites and space debris. One such 
streaking object -- possibly an Earth-orbiting satellite -- can be seen here 
flying across the telescope's sight in this sped-up movie.

This probable satellite appears during the last 5 minutes of a 13.5-minute 
observation. It looks elongated because each picture frame containing the 
moving object is 19 seconds long. Faint ghost images on either side of the 
source are detector artifacts caused by the object's extreme brightness.

These bonus objects are being collected in to public catalogues for other 
astronomers to study.