Amateur astronomer Thierry Legaul, of France, has captured a falling Nasa satellite as it hurtles to Earth.
Using an astrophotography camera, the Frenchman managed to record the
falling satellite through his 14-inch telescope as it passed some 156 miles
overhead.
Scientists are tracking the progress of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) hurtling towards Earth but say the chance of it hitting someone are one in 3,200.
Nasa was at pains to reiterate that there have been no confirmed injuries from man-made space debris and no
record of significant property damage from a falling satellite.
The six-tonne structure
will disintegrate as it hurtles through the atmosphere, but Nasa has said that 532 kg worth potentially hazardous parts could remain intact and impact on the surface. The
debris will spread over an estimated 500 miles.
Among the
parts expected to survive the fiery re-entry are four titanium fuel
tanks, four steel flywheel rims and an aluminium structure that alone
weighs 158kg.
Depending on their size and shape, the components will
strike at speeds of between 55mph (90kph) and 240mph (385kph).
It is likely the remains will fall in to the sea, or be strewn across one of the planet's most desolate
regions, such as Siberia, the Australian outback or the Canadian tundra.
Nasa has issued a warning for people not to touch the debris if they come across them because
it is likely to have extremely sharp edges.
