Strange lights in the sky?
 

This morning at about 5:57am I saw what appeared to be a satellite moving in a north easterly direction (I live in the Midlands a few miles north of Birmingham). I then noticed a second one behind it, then a third... I counted about ten altogether. I looked for strobes and saw none, heard no engine sound. The size and intensity of the lights looked just like satellites to me. The distance between each light was about four fingers width as I held my hand up.

A strange sight. What might I have seen?

Thanks.

Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites? Apparently they look like a string of pearls.

Yes, that would be Starlink https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starlink. A total of 12,000 satellites have been approved (with a possible extension to 42,000!!!) and, so far, there have been 3 launches of 60. Put your lat and long into this site https://findstarlink.com/ and it will tell you when the strings of 60 can be seen; it's an unusual sight and I'm surprised there haven't been worries about alien invasion from those who are unaware. Apparently the satellites have auto-avoidance systems, but if 42,000 get launched (plus the other constellations planned by Bezos et al) what could possibly go wrong? (gulp!)

HFD

Thanks for the link Hugh. I gather I have daily opportunities to see the satellites from down here in SW Cornwall. Now all I need are clear skies (not that likely) and the ability to crawl out of my pit at 5am (not a great prospect)!

Another good site is ` heavens-above.com` for all satellites,ISS,Flares,stars,etc.....

hugh flung_dung and sycamore: Many thanks for the links/sites you both provided - excellent stuff!

Star link mission live feed [recorded ] video
 

Skylink mission


This is a good insight into the SpaceX launch protocol and live video feeds, explains Sylink operational user advantages and lots of "gen" !!

Enjoy!!!

PS At 0:58 lovely shockwave as vehicle goes supersonic!

Fairing capture @ 00:39:50, they just manage to hang on to it!

Firstlight and Skylink launch from 01:01:44

Enjoy what?

I saw a fractional cluster over north wilts some years ago glowing red as the passed just after sunset.
Confused me greatly as I didnt know they existed, but logical thinking and a trip to the internet saw me through before I broke a UFO story to the local rag!

:ouch: :ugh:

:\ tracking camera has issues to 00:55 'ish don't let that spoil the rest of coverage.

Great, you've managed to see several Starlink satellites! I have to say that I envy you.:) I think about visiting a SpaceX launch, but it's just my dream. All that I can do now to enjoy launches is to watch broadcasts.

Some local people in my area (Woking NW) often report film crews operating on nearby Horsell Common; others report seeing a 'string' of lights in the sky (LITS) flying over.
Back in 1898, it was well reported by a Mr Wells of Maybury, Woking that a spacecraft identified as being of Martian origin crash landed on Horsell Common although this occurence is almost forgotten nowadays, the occupants of this spacecraft soon succumbing to earthly viruses against which they had no protection.
When I try to tell people about this on the local community website, adding that the film crews are 'expecting' a further landing on Horsell Common in retaliation to the Mars landing by the USA and also to see if they are resistant to 'new' virus's and these LITS are reconoiterring the site, nobody seems to believe me.

Was up at 4.30 this morning (gip from shoulder and knees) and went downstairs to take paracetamol and make cup of tea. Stuck my head out of the back door to see if it was clear sky - beautiful starry vista and I was just thinking "wonder if it's too early to see any satellites", and bugger me there was one. Looking at Heavens Above a few mins later identified it as probably Geosat on a NNE/SSW orbit. If I'd been a bit quicker, could have used the Live Sky view.

One of the treats of transatlantic flying at night was spotting the constellations, planets, meteorites and moving satellites :ok:

Oh, and the Aurora Borealis. :)

JDCP and AR1 you have just solved something that has been puzzling me for years!

I registered for Starlink service some time ago, with my UK address.
Recently they told me that service my be available in my area.
However UK seems to be unrecognised by their order system.

FWIW

https://www.businessinsider.com/star...ice2021-1?IR=T