Zevachim 87: The Airspace Above the Altar

The rabbis continue to discuss limbs that have not been properly consumed by the fire of the altar.  They have discussed whether or not these limbs fell before or after midnight, whether or not they were consumed past midnight, and other concerns.  Today the rabbis consider additional questions.  

What should be done if the limb was somehow set aside and was found not consumed by the morning?  Is it disqualified, or is it placed again in the altar for the "second midnight"?  When do the rabbis consider limbs or other parts of the sacrifice to be disqualified; when can the priest attempt to complete the sacrificial rite?

The rabbis also wonder about a vessel that consecrates any item that comes into its contact.  Does a limb placed in such a vessel become ready for sacrifice? Or has it been disqualified and nothing will render it appropriate for sacrifice?  We have learned that what ascends whose blood is sprinkled does not descend.

The rabbis ask about the airspace above the altar.  Is it considered to be the same as the altar itself?  Can it sanctify something that comes into contact with it?  In their determination, the altar is like the ramp, which sanctifies anything it touches.  The rabbis speak about an animal that is dragged along the ramp and never enters the airspace above the ramp.  In the end, they agree that the airspace above the altar sanctifies just as the altar sanctifies.