re: Shenzhou-7 pass
Just viewed a pass of Shenzhou VII and it Occultated Alioth as it passed through the Big Dippers handle. I could only see it with binoculars as it was a dim 2.9 mag. and sporting a yellowish hue.
Tomorrows viewing schedule shows it will be higher in altitude around 70 degrees and a mag. of 2.0 but the view of the pass will be short lived enter into the earths shadow at near zenith.