A large fleet of Starlink satellites orbit the Earth, providing global Internet coverage. On a clear night, you can see several moons creeping across the sky in this mega-constellation. And if you’re lucky enough to see them shortly after they’re deployed, you might even spot them as a “Starlink satellite train.”

While the ever-growing fleet of satellites poses a threat to astronomical observations, it can be an interesting target for skywatchers if you know when and where to look.

Appearing as a series of bright lights in the sky, Starlink trains can look quite “alien” and have prompted reports of multiple UFO sightings when they first took to the sky. However, long streaks of light can be seen shortly after launch. Satellites disintegrate when they reach an operating altitude of 340 miles (550 kilometers), and while it is easier to spot them in a time-lapse photo, they are much more difficult to distinguish from stars.

A mega constellation developed by a private space company SpaceXscience news site could increase to 42,000 satellites in orbit NASA Space Flight. According to astronomer Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, as of April 2023, there are 3,912 Starlink satellites in orbit, of which 3,866 are operational. monitors constellations on website. Given the high number of regular Starlink launches (sometimes several times a week), there are plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of the infamous ‘Starlink train’.

It should be noted that the Starlink satellites are not currently as visible as when they first appeared. This is due to efforts such as the Starlink VisorSat program, which aims to dim satellites so as not to interfere with astronomical observations.

Why can we see Starlink satellites? Does it have lights?

We can only see Starlink satellites when they reflect sunlight; they don’t have their own light. The large and growing number of satellites from other private space companies such as SpaceX and OneWeb suggest that light pollution and other problems associated with these mega constellations may continue, and advocates are urging government agencies to take action. arrangement.

If the Starlink satellites fail to reach orbit, they return to Earth and burn up on their way. This occurred on February 4, 2022, when a newly launched Starlink group encountered after a major geomagnetic storm.