Satellites in (lunar) shadow

Russell Eberst (R.Eberst@roe.ac.uk)
Wed, 9 Oct 1996 18:14:25 +0100 (BST)

All observers will have seen satellites fading in brughtness as they
encounter the Earth's shadow. However on Saturday (NOT  Tuesday as stated
by Sky & Telescope) October 12, there will be a comparatively rare chance
for an observer suitably located in the Arctic circle :-(  to see some
satellites affected by the shadow of the MOON. The axis of the lunar
shadow misses the Earth's surface by 780 km at closest, so there is no
total/annular eclipse visible from the surface of the Earth. However there
are plenty of satellites orbiting at suitable heights so that they will
experience a total eclipse. So here a challenge - for all programmers
particularly,  find one or more satellites that are going to see a total
eclipse on Saturday? A helpful hint - there is a series of Soviet/Russian
Store-Dump/Ferret satellites and their rockets with inclinations close
to 74 degrees and revs/day=14.3 or so. These will have heights close to
780 km, so surely one or two will be in the right place at the right time.
So get your databases and tracking programs whirring and see what you 
come up with!
best wishes  Russell
P.S.  I don't know the correct answer, so it's up to you.