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When heaven and Earth collide: The fall of Tiangong-1
SYFYwire ^ | 8 Mar, 2018 | Phil Plait

Posted on 03/29/2018 6:27:14 PM PDT by MtnClimber

ometime over the next few weeks the small Chinese space station Tiangong-1 will re-enter Earth's atmosphere and (mostly) burn up.

The big questions are where and when. Unfortunately, because we don't know when, we can’t know where. The most likely date is around April 1, but the timing is uncertain — and because of that, we don't know where it will come down.

We also don't know how much of it will make it to the ground, but the better news is that the majority of it will burn up. It's unlikely very much will survive to make it down. It's also unlikely it'll happen over land, and even less likely it'll come down over a populated area.

I know people fret over things like this, so to be clear, the chances of you personally getting hit by any pieces from this event are extremely small, far less than getting hit by lightning. You should be a lot more worried about, say, slipping in the bathtub.

If you want more information please take a look at the European Space Agency's Tiangong-1 re-entry FAQ, but what follows is my take on it.

(Excerpt) Read more at syfy.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: tiangong1

1 posted on 03/29/2018 6:27:14 PM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber
A tracker for the Chinese Space Station can be found here:

http://www.satview.org/?sat_id=37820U

The current estimated time for reentry is April 1 at around 9:00 p.m.EST.

2 posted on 03/29/2018 6:30:00 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

It is travelling about 4 miles per second so reentry will rip it apart pretty quickly, but some heavier pieces could hit the earth.


3 posted on 03/29/2018 6:33:01 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

Looks like a non-event for so much hoopla.


4 posted on 03/29/2018 6:33:38 PM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose GOD is the LORD. Psalm 33:12)
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To: stars & stripes forever

It would be interesting to see at night!


5 posted on 03/29/2018 6:35:23 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

If there is justice in this world it will hit 15 Old House Lane


6 posted on 03/29/2018 6:35:29 PM PDT by doug from upland (Why the hell isn't Hillary Rodham Clinton in prison yet?)
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To: doug from upland

I would prefer to watch the Hildabeast fall apart slowly.


7 posted on 03/29/2018 6:40:28 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

ditto that


8 posted on 03/29/2018 6:57:57 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: MtnClimber

9 posted on 03/29/2018 6:59:27 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

I didn’t know that Hillary toured with “Up With People.”


10 posted on 03/29/2018 7:03:17 PM PDT by Flag_This (Liberals are locusts.)
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To: BenLurkin

Looks like the orbit is about 1 hour and moves about 15 degrees longitude each orbit. Some estimates seem to say southern Wisconsin is most likely, but it is moving so fast a slight difference could put it half way around the world. One hour early could put it overhead entering over Colorado, but still daylight. Could still be visible.


11 posted on 03/29/2018 7:05:34 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: BenLurkin

If we could get her onboard before reentry that would be primo!


12 posted on 03/29/2018 7:08:12 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber
Are those "days above your city" times...

1. Local?
2. GMT/ZULU?
3. Bang Ding Ow?

(my location: Visual Apex 1/4 06h47)

13 posted on 03/29/2018 7:13:42 PM PDT by RckyRaCoCo (Please Pray For My Brother Ken)
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To: RckyRaCoCo

Not sure. The estimated Reentry is UTC.


14 posted on 03/29/2018 7:18:41 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

Didn’t Sandra Bullock ride that thing down?


15 posted on 03/30/2018 12:30:15 AM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah so shall it be again,")
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