Jan. 12, 2025 7:15 am EST X/@SpaceX Have you looked up at the night sky recently and seen a streak of light flash across that black void between the stars? It might have been a plane or an asteroid, but it also may have been one of Starlink's satellites. Using thousands of interconnected sites known as mega-constellations, this internet-providing technology was developed, launched, and is currently operated by SpaceX. These satellites were created with the goal of providing high-speed, low-latency internet to remote areas that aren't usually able to receive it. There are currently well over 6,000 Starlink satellites in low orbit over the Earth, and the company eventually hopes to put that number all the way up to 42,000. Each satellite has a five-year life span. The service is a bit on the expensive side for most users, but it may be the only option for people in certain areas without access to fiber or cable internet. Advertisement With so many Starlink satellites in the sky, many amateur astronomers have found themselves wondering what these orbiting bodies look like. People are curious as to how to spot them from the ground, what they look like up close, and if there is any way of tracking their paths so you can get a glimpse of one when they happen to swing around. Fortunately, all of this information is readily available from various astronomical organizations, and from Starlink itself. What do Starlink satellites look like from the ground? X/@SPACEdotcom You don't need to break out the telescope to get a look at a nearby Starlink satellite. These devices are bright enough and low enough in the Earth's orbit that you can actually see them from the ground with the naked eye, particularly during the period shortly after their launch. What's more, they're pretty easy to identify from other satellites due to their unique lighting pattern. Of course, you'll still need to be in an area without an abundance of light pollution or clouds so that you can have a clear view of the sky, though the service itself still works fine on cloudy days. Advertisement From the moment Starlink launched its first 60 satellites, observers noticed that they leave a unique trail of dotted lights that some have compared to a string of pearls against the night sky. This phenomenon is what's known as a satellite train. "Traveling at the same altitude and speed, these satellites initially orbit the Earth in a cluster. This is what we see as the "train,"" says Starwalk. "Starlink satellites appear as a "train" of lights for several days after launch. During this time, they're easily visible to the naked eye." This unique pattern is unlike anything else that you're likely to see in the night sky, so it makes it pretty easy to identify as a series of Starlink satellites. You can still see them after the train breaks apart as each satellite enters its own individual orbital pattern, but it isn't nearly as bright or easy to distinguish from other celestial phenomena. Advertisement