Starlink satellites light up the sky: what's behind them?

Starlink satellites light up the sky: what's behind them?

A fascinating spectacle recently lit up the night sky over Saxony-Anhalt! A mysterious chain of lights captivated the eyes of the audience. What felt like a mysterious natural phenomenon turned out to be a series of Starlink satellites launched by billionaire Elon Musk's private space company SpaceX. These mini-satellites are part of an ambitious plan to bring high-speed internet to the far corners of the Earth.

The fairy lights are not an isolated case! Similar “strings of pearls” were seen in the sky in August 2020 when 58 satellites were launched. The fascination for these celestial objects remains unbroken. On Thursday evening, the spectacle was not just a one-off event: According to the website “findstarlink.com”, the satellites will also be visible over Saxony-Anhalt again on Friday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Those interested can enter their location and find out when they can see the satellites in the sky.

Criticism of the Starlink satellites

Despite the impressive technology, there are also critical voices about the Starlink satellites. Some experts warn about the potential impact on astronomy and nocturnal wildlife. The bright lights could not only impair the view of the starry sky, but also disrupt the behavior of animals. The debate about the advantages and disadvantages of this satellite constellation is therefore in full swing.