Re: Satellites eclipsed Aug.11

Bruno Tilgner (Bruno_Tilgner@compuserve.com)
Sun, 1 Aug 1999 16:10:04 -0400

Bjoern Gimle wrote:

> I have written a program to find all satellite positions (at fixed
> intervals) closer than a specified distance from the Sun-Moon
> eclipse line.

I have done something similiar. In fact, it is pretty easy. But is it
useful ? Those eclipsed satellites for sure won't be visible from
Europe, even in the path of totality. For one thing, they are eclipsed
as well, and for another it isn't dark enough, even at mid-eclipse.

It is a different story for observers near the east coast of the
United States and Canada where it will still be dark when the eclipse
begins. They may actually see a satellite disappear gradually into
the penumbra and perhaps the umbra. But it won't be spectacular. It
will be much like a satellite disappearing into the Earth's shadow.

I have concluded that this subject isn't worth pursuing any further.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.


Bruno Tilgner
Saint-Cloud, France, E-10