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An old NASA satellite is set to re-enter the atmosphere tomorrow, Sunday, January 8. Though most of the satellite is expected to burn up in the atmosphere and pose minimal risk, some debris could reach the surface.
This satellite was launched in 1984 before guidelines were in place to ensure satellites deorbit with less risk.
Tracking of the satellite will continue, as it is not yet known where any debris could be expected to land.
So um ... watch out?
For 21 years, the ERBS (Earth Radiation Budget Satellite) actively investigated how the Earth absorbed and radiated energy from the Sun, and made measurements of stratospheric ozone, water vapor, nitrogen dioxide, and aerosols.
Launched from the Space Shuttle Challenger on Oct. 5, 1984, the ERBS carried three instruments, two to measure the Earth's radiative energy budget, and one to measure stratospheric constituents, including ozone.