As SpaceX Satellites Swarm The Night Sky, How to see the Starlink Satellite

Designed by SpaceX to create internet access to everywhere on the planet, the Starlink satellites? 

Although controversial, the ultimate plan is for a massive constellation of 42,000 satellites. This week they’re bringing a light show like no other to the night skies over Western Europe and many part of the world as dozens of satellites cross one after another over the course of around four hours.  

It happened last night and was viewed across the continents

No one foresaw that the first few batches, and there are only 362 up there so far, would be so darned visible. 

In fact, some are proving to be briefly brighter than the planet Venus. 

The “trains” are about 30 satellites. Ironically, Starlink is getting people to look up at the night sky while many are concerned that the very same phenomenon is a threat to it.

Whatever your opinion on whether they are a positive or a negative, here’s exactly when to get outside this week, look up, and see one of the most incredible sights of your life—a seemingly never-ending train of super-bright satellites. As least you’ll know it’s not an alien invasion. 

How to see the Starlink satellites train With stargazing from homes, gardens, backyards and windows becoming a popular pastime in these times of lockdown, everyone’s going to want to see a Starlink train.

This week, if you’re in South Asia, it’s easy; you just go outside and look-up to see them travel from west to east. You don’t any equipment, just your naked eyes and some patience—Starlink trains can be up to 10 minutes “late.” 

When to see the Starlink satellites train To find out exactly when a Starlink train will be visible from your precise location, visit the Find Starlink website (or the “Find Starlink Satellites” app) and just enter your location. It prioritizes bright passes of newly-launched satellites—that’s important (some are very dim)— and even gives a live map of where they are now.