Extraterrestrial trash visible with naked eye

Extraterrestrial trash visible with naked eye

By KVAL Web Staff

Almost exactly one year ago, on July 23, 2007, International Space Station astronauts threw an obsolete, refrigerator-sized ammonia reservoir overboard.  The 1,400 pound piece of space junk has been circling Earth ever since and now, in July 2008, its orbit has decayed so much that it has become an easy naked-eye target for backyard sky watchers. 

The Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS for short) is almost as bright as the stars of the Big Dipper and growing brighter as it descends. The EAS is expected to burn up in Earth's atmosphere in late 2008 or early 2009. 

You can see the EAS and other items in Earth's orbit with your own eyes.

For the Eugene/Springfield area, the first opportunity will be Saturday, July 26, at 10:12 p.m.

Check the Simple Satellite Tracker at SpaceWeather.com for flyby times.

 

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