Starlink satellites - visible passes

[magpie215]

Watched a few sats pass over last night...no starlink.

Lots on polar orbit...not so many w to e.

Someone posted about flashing sats...these are usually tumbling rocket stages.

[Beati Dogu]

This week’s Starlink satellites were released at ~288 km up. The lead group of 20 have already started climbing up. The remaining 40 have actually descended 2 km so far, while they’re naturally drifted to a different plane by the Earth’s gravity. The next group of 20 will start climbing in a month or so.

[Deesee]

Incoming from 8.50 (red line for starlink 6), should be visible from south coast,



West 275 deg to south east 139 deg (from London).

[chemistry]

Couldn’t see them

[Bluedot]

Couldn't see anything either, next lot are 21:46 although they're marked as 'Dim'

[Beati Dogu]

The next batch of Starlink satellites they launch (in May) will include a "VisorSat" with a sun shield to reduce its reflectivity. Presumably this is what they intend to use from Starlink 9 onwards.

They'll also be rolling the existing satellites as they rise up to altitude, so their solar panel and array are less reflective. Once they're in situ, they'll reduce the reflection at dusk at dawn as well.

Existing satellites will deorbit in 3-4 years

- Elon Musk to the Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 (Astro2020)

[Mykap]

Just watched 6 pass over Spain. Amazing sight.

[Bluedot]

Should have been a good view tonight:

9:57 pm, 28 Apr 2020
Starlink-5, BRIGHT (2.4) for 6 mins
Look from WEST to SOUTHEAST (details)
Elevation (from horizon): start: 11°, max: 66°, end: 33°

Cloud cover means won't be able to see a thing though