Scientists predict space debris to enter earth's atmosphere around the Indian Ocean
Monday, October 26, 2015 - 13:30
in Astronomy & Space
Millions of bits of space junk—leftover fragments from spacecraft and related debris—orbit Earth, and the majority of these will eventually fall into Earth's atmosphere and incinerate. Astronomers believe they have recently observed one of these pieces and, for the first time, can predict when and where it will enter the atmosphere. Such forecasts could allow scientists the opportunity to observe these events to better understand what happens when space debris—manmade or natural—comes in contact with the atmosphere and determine which objects might be hazardous to humans.