See Radar Images Of China's Space Station Tumbling Around

I can't post a link from my phone but go to N2YO.com to track the space station (Tiangong 1) and to see radar images of it tumbling around in space. I imagined it zooming around the earth nose first but I wasn't even close.
And just a note of interest the reason it hasn't come down already is due to the sun's recent lack of sunspots (we're entering a deep solar minimum right now) which cools the atmosphere causing less drag. So I'm thinking if the sun stays spotless for a few more days that may slow it's descent.
Well, either way I'm continually tracking it's descent for you guys and I will let you know when it's getting close to reentering. Heads up.

a reply to: MissSmartypants

And if someone can post a link to the video I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

a reply to: MissSmartypants

I can't find the radar stuff :S

but here's the link

N2YO Tiangong 1 tracking

page with video link; www.n2yo.com...

a reply to: MissSmartypants

This is pretty sweet - I wonder how accurate it is

This is China's year of the Dog.... .........ok, that means nothing...

a reply to: Plotus

HI YES THIS IS DOGE

aaaaaaaand it burns burns burns

a reply to: MissSmartypants

Are u gonna post in this thread when you know when it's coming down?
Or will you make a new one ?

If u make a new one with the date and estimated time, then at least it won't be buried, and a maximum amount of ATS members will see It

Anyone remember skylab?

I saw it cross the night skies in real time night viewing as a kid. Before the internet and reported by the news on one of the 3 channels of T.V. we had.

It crashed harmlessly in Australia .

www.nasa.gov...

Thanks for sharing,

a reply to: auroraaus

Thanks for that.

Question: Anyone know why is it GAINING altitude?

EDIT TO ADD:
Its going down now.

originally posted by: Groot

It crashed harmlessly in Australia .

Lies! It littered and got hit with a fine!

At least it finally got paid in full...30 fricken years later!

From the main road along the waterfront in Esperance, a small blue and yellow sign hung on the side of the building is all that denotes it as a "museum," and a larger hanging billboard makes note of the main attraction inside: "In 1979, a spaceship crashed over Esperance. We fined them $400 for littering." A stamp next to it reads, "PAID IN FULL."

It's true. The local government slapped NASA with a comical $400 bill for the cleanup, though the U.S. space agency never officially paid up. However, on the 30th anniversary of the crash in 2009, a radio host for Highway Radio in California and Nevada used his program to raise the funds and put a formal end to the complaint. The paycheck now hangs above the remains.

Space.com Skylab article

a reply to: tadaman

Changes in the atmospheric drag - the atmosphere isn't uniform across the globe.

eta: also solar stuff too come to think of it, like the solar wind.

But I ain't no expert.

a reply to: tadaman

Orbits are not prefectly circular. They drop and climb (perigee and apogee).

originally posted by: RoScoLaz5
page with video link; www.n2yo.com...

My hero. Thank you. Thank you.

originally posted by: Macenroe82
a reply to: MissSmartypants

Are u gonna post in this thread when you know when it's coming down?
Or will you make a new one ?

If u make a new one with the date and estimated time, then at least it won't be buried, and a maximum amount of ATS members will see It

As long as I manage to catch it when it happens I most certainly will in this thread as well as starting a new one with the current statistics.

Gonna hit in Illinois from what I hear..

Chicago maybe???????

originally posted by: tadaman
a reply to: auroraaus

Thanks for that.

Question: Anyone know why is it GAINING altitude?

It rises and falls throughout the day about ten miles up and down as it orbits. The atmosphere is thicker in some places than others. The atmosphere bulges out at the equator and the space station descends slower there. It doesn't descend as low in sunlight then it does in shadow(night) probably due to the cooling of the atmosphere.

originally posted by: auroraaus
a reply to: tadaman

Changes in the atmospheric drag - the atmosphere isn't uniform across the globe.

eta: also solar stuff too come to think of it, like the solar wind.

But I ain't no expert.

The sun has been very inactive lately and as a result it's not heating up the atmosphere as much as usual making it take longer to come down.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: tadaman

Orbits are not prefectly circular. They drop and climb (perigee and apogee).

If you look at it's orbit you'll see that it zigzags across the globe.

a reply to: Macenroe82


If China still equals bad-quality materials, Tiangong-1 should burn up quickly...like a Chinese lantern.