Visual Magnitude of the BlueWalker 3 Satellite
arXiv:2211.09811
Abstract
Observations have been carried out in order to assess the optical characteristics of the BlueWalker 3 spacecraft which is the prototype for a new satellite constellation. The illumination phase function has been determined and evaluated. The average visual magnitude when seen overhead at the beginning or ending of astronomical twilight is found to be +1.4.
This manuscript replaces the version dated 2022 November 14. A more robust illumination phase function has been determined from 146 magnitudes recorded through November 24