[meteorite-list] ROSAT Set to De-Orbit

[Ron Baalke]

Space Weather News for Oct. 14, 2011
http://spaceweather.com

ROSAT RE-ENTRY: The ROSAT X-ray observatory, launched in 1990 by NASA 
and managed for years by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), will return 
to Earth within the next two weeks. Current best estimates place the 
re-entry between Oct. 22nd and 24th over an unknown part of Earth. ROSAT 
will produce a spectacular fireball when it re-enters, but not all of 
the satellite will disintegrate.  According to the DLR, heat-resistant 
fragments as massive as 1.7 tons could reach Earth's surface.  Check 
http://spaceweather.com for more information.

LAST-CHANCE SIGHTINGS:  As ROSAT slowly descends it is growing brighter. 
During favorable passes, the satellite can now be seen shining as brightly 
as a first magnitude star in the night sky.  Local flyby times may be found 
using SpaceWeather's Satellite Tracker: http://spaceweather.com/flybys .   
Or turn your smartphone into a ROSAT tracker using our Simple Flybys app: 
http://simpleflybys.com .