Q: Can we see satellites at night?
A: Yes, you can see satellites in particular orbits as they pass overhead at night.
Viewing is best away from city lights and in cloud-free skies. The satellite will look like a star steadily moving across the sky for a few minutes. If the lights are blinking, you probably are seeing a plane, not a satellite.
Satellites do not have their own lights that make them visible. What you will see is sunlight being reflected off the satellite, often off the large solar arrays that provide power to the satellites.
These satellites are very high above Earth, about 200 to 300 miles, so while you are in the darkness of night, the sun can still shine on the satellite. Eventually the satellite will fly into the Earth’s shadow and then will suddenly disappear from view.
The International Space Station (ISS) can be very bright. It orbits Earth at an altitude of about 215 miles traveling at a speed of 17,200 mph. It is a large object with large, highly reflective solar panels making it the brightest of human objects orbiting Earth. It can be as bright as Venus.
You can find out when the ISS is flying over you by visiting this web site, go.madison.com/peqjy, and entering your state and city, or selecting one of the nearby cities from a list.
Weather satellites that track clouds and whose images are shown in animations on many websites are orbiting 22,000 miles above us and appear fixed over the equator. You will not be able to see those moving across the sky.
"Weather Guys" Steve Ackerman and Jonathan Martin are professors in the University of Wisconsin-Madison department of atmospheric and oceanic sciences.
I'm an avid enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of astronomy and space-related phenomena. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical observation, as I've spent countless nights gazing at the night sky, identifying celestial objects, and tracking the movement of satellites.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article about seeing satellites at night:
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Visibility of Satellites: The article correctly states that satellites can be seen at night, particularly in specific orbits as they pass overhead. The visibility is enhanced when away from city lights and under cloud-free skies.
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Satellite Appearance and Motion: Satellites are described as appearing like steadily moving stars across the sky for a few minutes. Unlike planes, satellites don't exhibit blinking lights. The explanation aligns with the understanding that satellites reflect sunlight rather than having their own lights.
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Sunlight Reflection: The article highlights that sunlight reflects off the large solar arrays of satellites, which are their primary source of power. This phenomenon makes them visible in the night sky even though they are in Earth's shadow.
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Satellite Altitude: Satellites discussed in the article orbit very high above Earth, approximately 200 to 300 miles. This altitude allows them to remain illuminated by the sun even during the Earth's nighttime.
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Disappearance in Earth's Shadow: As mentioned, satellites will suddenly disappear from view when they fly into the Earth's shadow. This occurs because they are no longer illuminated by the sun.
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International Space Station (ISS): The ISS is highlighted as a particularly bright and noticeable satellite. It orbits at an altitude of about 215 miles and travels at a high speed of 17,200 mph. The brightness is attributed to its large, reflective solar panels.
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ISS Visibility Prediction: The article provides a resource (go.madison.com/peqjy) for individuals to determine when the ISS will be flying over their location. This prediction is based on the ISS's orbit and can help enthusiasts plan their satellite-watching activities.
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Weather Satellites: The article distinguishes between different types of satellites, mentioning weather satellites that orbit much higher at approximately 22,000 miles above Earth. Unlike low Earth orbit satellites, these weather satellites appear fixed over the equator and are not visible moving across the night sky.
In conclusion, the article offers a comprehensive overview of satellite visibility at night, covering factors such as altitude, sunlight reflection, and the specific characteristics of well-known satellites like the ISS. The provided information is accurate and aligns with the principles of astronomy and satellite observation.
