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Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Cathy Owen

How to see the Starlink satellites tonight and this weekend

While looking for the meteor showers earlier this week many people will have spotted glimmers of light floating across the sky in formation.

They are not UFOs, but lights coming from satellites powered by Elon Musk's Starlink fleet.

Many Brits have spotted them flash across the sky already, and there will be a chance to see them again tonight, tomorrow and Saturday over Wales.

Meteor seen over South Wales earlier this week (Allan Trow of Dark Sky Wales)

Starlink is a satellite constellation that is being constructed by American company SpaceX, founded by the South African billionaire.

The firm sends satellites up into the Earth’s orbit in batches of 60, with a launch in mid-March, and another one this week.

It means that we will be able to see them over Wales in the coming days.

Thursday, April 23

8.53pm for four minutes from west to southeast.

Elevation (from horizon): start: 11°, max: 77°, end: 10°8:55 pm

Friday, April 24

8.55pm for three minutes from west to southeast.

Elevation (from horizon): start: 11°, max: 46°, end: 10°

Saturday, April 25

9:45pm , for 6 mins from west to east.
Elevation (from horizon): start: 10°, max: 66°, end: 15°

Resident captures Elon Musk Starlink satellites going over his back garden

So far, the firm has deployed more than 300 satellites into space and is working towards a network of 12,000, with the aim of improving global internet coverage.

The satellites appear in a line crossing the night sky and their current orbital position has made them easier to spot in the past few days.

The satellites will appear as ‘trains’ of bright lights and can be spotted in the sky without binoculars or a telescope.

You will need a clear sky and as little light around you as possible in order to see them, so it is best to avoid looking at your phone screen too much, and turn off any outdoor lighting.

To find out more details visit the starlink site  here. To find out more about the skies above Wales, visit Dark Sky Wales.

The next celestial events to look forward to including the Eta Aquariids, peaking between May 5 and 6, and the fourth and final super moon of the year on May 7.

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