Starlink Satellites Spark Wonder in Gloucestershire Skies

Residents of Gloucestershire have been captivated by a sequence of bright lights moving across the night sky, causing widespread curiosity and wonder. Contrary to initial speculations, these lights are not extraterrestrial phenomena, but a formation of Starlink satellites, operated by SpaceX, visible against the night backdrop.

One unidentified observer expressed their awe on a local Facebook group, describing the spectacle as “a very long string of lights falling from the sky” early Thursday morning. They noted that the lights appeared around 6 a.m., resembling “something breaking up,” which they found both perplexing and fascinating.

Starlink satellites, part of a project aimed at providing global internet connectivity, orbit at a low-Earth altitude. Their visibility has attracted attention worldwide as they propagate across the skies in clearly observable paths.

The Met Office has indicated that conditions will be favorable for satellite watching, forecasting clear skies in Gloucestershire tonight and into early Friday. However, overcast conditions are projected from Friday into Saturday, with clearer views expected by Sunday and continuing into the early weekdays.

Enthusiasts eager to track the satellites’ paths can utilize online tools that provide real-time tracking and visibility data, highlighting the optimal times and directions for sighting based on their brightness. For instance, today viewers are advised to look between west and northeast at 7:41 p.m., and tomorrow morning from northwest to east at 6:05 a.m.

SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, is currently seeking approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for modifications that would enhance its satellite system. A recent application submitted by SpaceX aims to introduce gigabit-per-second broadband service through changes to their Gen2 satellites. Such updates would involve lowering satellite altitudes to improve service speeds and efficiency.

Despite initial promises of gigabit speeds, actual delivered speeds as of 2024 are reported to range between 25 and 220 Mbps. SpaceX is working to improve these numbers while navigating FCC regulations and industry opposition.