Many stargazers who were enjoying the night sky and the pleasant temperatures in North Carolina witnessed a trail of Starlink satellites on Tuesday. Some even mistook them for UFOs or fighter jets, while others clicked pictures of the satellites for memories. If you are someone who wants to know more about Starlink satellites being spotted in North Carolina skies, this article is for you. It brings you everything you need to know about the satellites spotted. The following article also includes information about when you can possibly spot the satellites again and how to know when to look in the sky for them.
Sky Gazers Spot The Starlink Satellites In North Carolina Skies
Several skygazers from North Carolina reported sighting the Starlink satellites in the sky on Tuesday night. The sightings reportedly began at 9:30 PM on Tuesday. Pictures and reactions from the masses started flooding the internet immediately after the first sighting. A resident from East Raleigh reported how all the satellites were moving in the same sequence. The satellites in the sky were all snapped in Dunn, RDU, Durham, Fuquay-Varina, Wilson, and Bunn. Some people who sighted the satellites reported that they thought they were fighter jets at first.
Why Were The Starlink Satellites Visible In The North Carolina Skies?
SpaceX recently launched a new group of Starlink satellites on Sunday, while they were scheduled for configuration on Monday night. The new group launched is expected to join the thousands of satellites already existing in space orbit. However, before they move into the higher orbit, the group will spend a few nights in the lower orbit being configured. It will then move to its final orbit in space. While the group of satellites is still in the lower orbit, they end up reflecting the Sun’s light, making them visible in the night sky. The group passed through the Raleigh area and central North Carolina and was spotted in the North Carolina skies.
When Can We Spot The Starlink Satellites In The Sky Again?
If you are someone who missed spotting the Starlink satellites in the North Carolina skies on Tuesday night and is wondering when you can spot them again, you still have a chance. The group of satellites is still in the lower orbit, and they might reappear in the sky anytime soon. SpaceX provides a special tracker for people who wish to spot their satellites. It will tell you exactly when the satellites will appear in the sky in your area. According to what the SpaceX Starlink Satellites Tracker is currently showing, you may have another chance to spot the satellites on Friday night.
Amazon Launches Project Kuiper Satellites To Compete With SpaceX
Following SpaceX’s satellite launch on Sunday, Amazon launched its first-ever batch of the Project Kuiper satellites through the United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket. The mission is named after the frigid fringes of our solar system beyond Neptune. These satellites are expected to reach an altitude of 400 miles after entering orbit. They are also reportedly coated with a mirror film designed to scatter reflected sunlight. This is done to attract the attention of the sky gazers, just like Starlink. However, many stargazers oppose the idea of a rapidly growing population of low-orbit satellites in the night sky as they ruin the observations. Some also fear more satellite collisions in the skies. Jeff Bezos is planning to launch around 3,200 of these satellites into orbit, while Starlink already has 7,200 in the skies.
