Thread by @Marco_Langbroek

I simulated the view from USA 224 (ADVANCED CRYSTAL optical reconnaissance satellite) towards the #Iranian launch platform. Simulation is for 09:44:23 UT when sat was at 43.97 deg elevation, azimuth 194.7 deg.
Simulation & real image compared:
@mhanham @trbrtc @nktpnd @cgbassa

@mhanham @trbrtc @nktpnd @cgbassa Note that the sumulation features a satellite image that is not from the same time, hence difference in shadow directions. Relative positions of features matches.

@mhanham @trbrtc @nktpnd @cgbassa I measured the semi-major and semi-minor axes of the ellipse (the obliguely viewed circular platform). The viewing angle is then derived by minor=major*cos(angle) --> so find the matching angle. That yielded nominal 43.97 deg. That value matches 09:44:23 UT and azimuth 194.7.

So the position of the satellite at 09:44:23 was taken, and in STK I let the viewq from the satellite point towards the launch platform. That yielded this. It is a very good match so there is no doubt in my mind that it is an image taken by USA 224.

This was the USA 224 satellite's position relative to the imaged launch site:

Note that the satellite orbit for USA 224 is based on amateur tracking data! Orbit used is the epoch 19239.00965638 orbit from McCants' classfd.tle file.
(there is an international group of dedicated 'amateur' observers, including me, that tracks these 'classified' objects)

Okay, @cgbassa noted an error in my viewing angle determination (cos should be sin...grrrr!). Luckily that introduces a very small error only (pfew!): 2 seconds in time, and 2 degrees in viewing angle, 0.15 in azimuth. Updated view, differences with previous version very small:

@mhanham @trbrtc @nktpnd @cgbassa So: this should be minor = major * SIN (angle), not Cos :-s
HT to @cgbassa
Luckily, new result is close to previous result. Updated view in this tweet:

https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1167829176591822850?s=20