Look up: There’s an out-of-control spacecraft tumbling overhead

AN out-of-control Russian spacecraft is likely to be visible over Australia’s major cities before its anticipated crash-down later this week.

Watch a spacecraft in its death-dive

AN out-of-control Russian spacecraft is likely to be visible over Australia’s major cities before its anticipated crash-down later this week.

The unmanned space craft was tasked with carrying supplies to the International Space Station last week.

But something went wrong shortly after it left our atmosphere.

The $63 million Progress M-27M supply ship is now destined for fiery destruction within days as it is drawn back down towards Earth.

It could enter the atmosphere anywhere between May 7 and 12.

Fading pulse ... This timelapse photograph shows the pulsations of light reflected by the tumbling Progress spacecraft. The second streak, below, is from an aircraft. Source: Brazilian Meteor Observer’s Network

But not before putting on a light show.

An unusually “pulsing” bright light in the sky may appear in our evening skies over the next few days.

The spacecraft will appear to be getting brighter and fainter every three or so seconds as it moves across the sky — an effect caused by the amount of light being reflected back down to Earth as it tumbles end-over-end.

Great report on how #ProgressM27M failure is affecting crew #SamLogbook https://t.co/q3ChxdBuTw

— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) May 3, 2015

But nothing is certain, says Monash University astrophysicist Michael Brown.

“These predictions are rough and are changing because the orbit of the Progress is decaying,” he said.

“As the Progress gets closer to Earth it orbits faster and circles the Earth in less time, so it can arrive a few minutes earlier than the predicted times.”

If you want to watch the tumbling spacecraft as it passes above your city, follow the links here: Perth | Melbourne | Sydney | Hobart | Adelaide | Brisbane

L+155/6: #SamLogbook. Progress 59P didn't make it to ISS but...No one is going to bed hungry! https://t.co/MqpPrirGNz pic.twitter.com/DA7uGNBXLD

— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) May 3, 2015

@JamieSeidel