Author Topic: Starlink satellites  (Read 3739 times)

Starlink satellites
« on: 20 April, 2020, 07:43:18 pm »
Apparently the SpaceX Starlink satellite constellation is overhead UK tonight, from about 9:55pm...

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/09/spacewatch-spacex-elon-musk-launches-60-more-satellites-into-starlink-constellation
Cycle and recycle.   SS Wilson

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #1 on: 20 April, 2020, 07:45:08 pm »
There's a twitter feed that tells you when and where...

https://twitter.com/VirtualAstro?s=20

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #2 on: 20 April, 2020, 08:52:32 pm »
Thanks.

For Starlink 5
Quote
Expect to see over 40 #Starlink satellites (moving stars) in a train for around 20 minutes starting at 9.55pm in the west.

Should be a clear sky in most places too.
Cycle and recycle.   SS Wilson

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #3 on: 20 April, 2020, 08:54:11 pm »
And, there's the meteor shower too. Peaking tomorrow

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #4 on: 20 April, 2020, 08:58:58 pm »
Here is a pretty good website for predicting when to see them. It even does a simulation using Google streetview to show what they should look like, using your location: https://james.darpinian.com/satellites/
If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is...

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Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #5 on: 20 April, 2020, 09:04:33 pm »
And, there's the meteor shower too. Peaking tomorrow

The Lyrids, peaking tomorrow but tonight will be clearer. If I could be bothered to get up at 3am 🤔

Pingu

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Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #6 on: 20 April, 2020, 09:18:30 pm »
Haven't seen a cloud all day. Until now  :demon:

Basil

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Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #7 on: 20 April, 2020, 11:09:20 pm »
Well that was a wasted 20 minutes.  Saw two solitary randoms.
Admission.  I'm actually not that fussed about cake.

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #8 on: 20 April, 2020, 11:19:34 pm »
Yeah that was a bit shit.  Saw one.

Tim Hall

  • Victoria is my queen
Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #9 on: 20 April, 2020, 11:21:41 pm »
Saw half a dozen. Memo to self: next time put a jacket on.

That James Darpinian website linked to upthread is a bit good.
There are two ways you can get exercise out of a bicycle: you can
"overhaul" it, or you can ride it.  (Jerome K Jerome)

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #10 on: 21 April, 2020, 12:09:40 am »
Saw about five.  A tad underwhelming - not that bright, nor quite in the same line.  First time I've seen more than one sat at the same time/sky though.

Apparently, 'much better' tonight (Tuesday) at 9pm...   (but it's not fully dark, I reckon - perhaps sats brighter)
Cycle and recycle.   SS Wilson

SoreTween

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Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #11 on: 21 April, 2020, 11:00:15 am »
Up to about a decade and a half ago I used to regularly look on Heavens above especially when the shuttle was chasing the iss. The all satellites list usually had a couple of dozen entries of which one or two had magnitude to be visible in Surrey (+3 or better). Look at it now!
Bonus, I'm now in leafy Gloucestershire, +4 might be visible.
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Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #12 on: 21 April, 2020, 12:27:07 pm »
I spectacularly failed to spot the Starlink satellites the last time they came round.  There's just too much light here.

What was pretty cool was watching a Dragon launch on my computer and then seeing it fly overhead through my window a few minutes later.

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #13 on: 21 April, 2020, 06:15:09 pm »
I saw them last week, with minimal light pollution here it was quite impressive, will walk dog tonight about 9 which is when I think they’re due to be over ( better check!) although it wont be quite as dark should still get a decent view

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #14 on: 21 April, 2020, 07:05:54 pm »
We saw bugger all in clear-skied SW London.
Rust never sleeps

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #15 on: 21 April, 2020, 09:06:12 pm »
Tried again just now, supposed to be 8:58 to 9:04. Nothing. Lovely clear skies, good view of Venus.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

nicknack

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Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #16 on: 21 April, 2020, 09:08:38 pm »
Really obvious here. I didn't even have to wait for wait for my eyes to get dark adapted. Venus is spectacular too.
There's no vibrations, but wait.

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #17 on: 21 April, 2020, 09:19:40 pm »
Well I had a nice leisurely bath, longer than planned. Was just getting out at 9pm when my other half asked "What time were those satellites you were on about earlier?"

Bugger, forgotten I had, anyway a quick toweling off and I chucked some jeans and a top on. Got ontot the front path and could see them from there, coming into view about 50-60 degrees from the horizon and whizzing overhead and across the garden. could see them very easily even with the street lights and whatnot.

There was also a big bright a bit north of west, lower to the horizon. Was that/is it Venus?

I love this place, thats a bunch of satellites and the ISS a few weeks ago that I've seen because of you.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Tim Hall

  • Victoria is my queen
Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #18 on: 21 April, 2020, 09:21:55 pm »
That was much better than last night. More at 2234 which presumably will be easier to see as it's darker.
There are two ways you can get exercise out of a bicycle: you can
"overhaul" it, or you can ride it.  (Jerome K Jerome)

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #19 on: 21 April, 2020, 09:23:13 pm »
Venus is really bright tonight.
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #20 on: 21 April, 2020, 09:26:28 pm »
I got a good view, not as bright as the other night but still quite visible, watched 10 or so go over as I headed home with the dog

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #21 on: 21 April, 2020, 09:26:34 pm »
Ok, so that was better.  Counted 34 satellites, over around 20mins.  :)   I could see 6 in the sky at any one time.  They were around 10-15secs apart and nearly all seemed on the same line apart from two (I think) which were close, but staggered side by side.  Possibly more exciting, was being close passed quite a few times, by a bat looking for grub.
Cycle and recycle.   SS Wilson

Basil

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Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #22 on: 21 April, 2020, 10:43:20 pm »
OK, I don't get this. I can go out on any clear night and within a few minutes I'll see a satellite moving in the skys.  How is this any different?  Shan't bother going out again.
Admission.  I'm actually not that fussed about cake.

Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #23 on: 21 April, 2020, 10:47:34 pm »
Saw 4, but in different trajectories

Tim Hall

  • Victoria is my queen
Re: Starlink satellites
« Reply #24 on: 21 April, 2020, 10:49:13 pm »
OK, I don't get this. I can go out on any clear night and within a few minutes I'll see a satellite moving in the skys.  How is this any different?  Shan't bother going out again.
Do you get them going over in a train across the sky?

In other news, while we're all staring at the sky, I see Day of the Triffids, 1962 version, is on TV tonight. Just remember how that starts....
There are two ways you can get exercise out of a bicycle: you can
"overhaul" it, or you can ride it.  (Jerome K Jerome)