[sac-forum] Spy Satellite Sightings

Malfunctioning spy satellite USA 193 has been in the news lately because of 
expectations that it will reenter Earth's atmosphere in March and turn into a 
spectacular fireball.  Reentry has not yet begun, but sky watchers are already 
noticing the satellite as it zips over Europe and the United States shining as 
brightly as a first or second magnitude star. Typical photos are shown on 
today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

In fact, USA 193 may never reenter--at least not in one piece. Today, the 
Pentagon announced it will attempt to blast the satellite with a missile before 
its orbit decays. This would lessen the chances of dangerous satellite debris 
and fuel reaching the ground while increasing the population of space junk in 
low-Earth orbit.

Would you like to see USA 193 with your own eyes?  It is about to make a series 
of evening appearances over many US towns and cities, beginning this weekend 
and continuing until the Pentagon intervenes. Flyby timetables may be found at 
Heavens Above (http://heavens-above.com). You can also receive telephone and 
email alerts when the satellite is about to fly over your backyard by 
subscribing to Spaceweather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com .

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