There's a new satellite in the sky, and we're going to be some of the first to check it out.

First, the scoop on what we're going to view.

China launched a space laboratory Sept. 29 designed for orbital docking tests and research. It's a prototype for a space station that will be built later.

The name of the space lab, Tiangong 1, means "Heavenly Palace." It will allow the Chinese to perform test docking of two spacecraft to build a larger space complex.

Tiangong 1 is about 34 feet long, 11 feet wide and weighs about 8.5 metric tons.

The first planned docking with Tiangong 1 is scheduled for early November. It will be unmanned and will last about two weeks. If all goes well with the initial tests and docking flights, two additional unmanned flights are planned for 2012.

After those tests, China plans to launch a manned crew, which may include a female astronaut.

Plans are to leave Tiangong 1 in orbit for two years and then to destroy it by instructing it to burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

In the meantime, we have some Tiangong 1 passes to watch for. The first occurs Wednesday at 6:42 a.m.

Gaze toward the south-southwest for a moving stellar point of light skimming just above the horizon. Tiangong 1 will continue its trek across the morning sky and fly below the bright star Sirius at 6:44 a.m.

You'll notice the moon sits not quite overhead at this hour as the satellite glides slowly toward the east.

Mars will be a dim speck of orange light left of the moon.

Tiangong 1 will fade from sight at 6:47 a.m. in the east just past Leo.

If you miss the Wednesday-morning pass, don't worry: There's a brighter pass Thursday morning.

Begin your search at 7:03 a.m. in the west-southwest.

The sky will be a bit brighter, but the satellite should be easy to spot as a moving "star."

Tiangong 1 will follow a high arc across the northern sky, making it easier to find since you won't need to dodge low-lying obstacles that might impede your view.

At 7:06 a.m., the space lab can be found flying above Polaris and then fading from sight in the northeast at 7:08 a.m.

The next-best viewing opportunity will be Nov. 3, and we'll talk more about it in two weeks since China has plans to launch another vehicle about that time.

Just for fun, here's a video of what really happened to that satellite that de-orbited last month:


Email Becky Ramotowski at skywatch@beckster.cotse .net. Skywatch appears Tuesdays.