See a Satellite Tonight | Hacker News Reader

See a Satellite Tonight

james.darpinian.com

89 pointsjonbaer24 comments

The question should be, how to not see a satellite. Even looking up for 3 minutes I can see at least one satellite flying over on a clear night. For context, this is rural, south-west France (Lot-et-Garonne) with little to no light pollution.

See a Satellite Tonight - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26638355 - March 2021 (50 comments)

Show HN: See a Satellite Tonight. No Telescope Required - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21037167 - Sept 2019 (152 comments)

I'm convinced we're some of the last people who will be able to see star constellations, you can look up at the sky at almost any moment and find a satellite. How long before star constellations become unrecognisable due to satellites passing through them? What will the night sky look like in 500 years? In my childhood there were none, now there are thousands. Every time I point one out people spurt out "international space station" as if that's the only thing floating around up there.

I don't think it's as dramatic as you fear. Most satellites that are part of these megaconstellations will not be bright most of the time. It's mostly during dusk and dawn.

Yes. And even during dusk and dawn, most operational satellites are not visible. What you see is mostly a few low orbiting things like ISS and Hubble (and now Tiangong), and spent rocket stages that weren't responsibly deorbited. You can see Starlink satellites too, but only while they are raising their orbits just after launch. When they reach operational altitude, where they stay for the vast majority of their lifespan, they are no longer visible to the naked eye.

I think in 500 years the sky should look like a blue and white dot outside of the window of the space craft.

Apart from being incredibly optimisic about clouds and light pollution, this is really cool. Showing where the satellite should pass from a streetview perspective is a really nice addition I've not seen before.

May I enter my coords by kbd?

Yes, there's a "change location" link that brings up a box to type in your address or coordinates.

So, how do I see this without an any equipment?

You see a light fly by.

- If the light flashes, it is an aircraft

- If the light is not flashing, it is a satellite

- And if the light is very very fast, it is a shooting star

- And if it is getting bigger and brighter by the second, you should evacuate the area.

On the non-joking side, most of the lights in the sky do appear static, as their relative positions only change by earth's rotation. If the light does not appear to be static, then it is not a star or planet, and probably is human made, unless it is a meteor or shooting star.

- And if the light starts to make radical manoeuvres at insane speeds it is a UFO

And if the light making these radical maneuvers zips down and lands in your yard and a grey guy with unusually long arms and fingers and very cool, huge eyes steps out, that's just Bob.

He just needs to use your restroom. It's cramped in that flying thing. Take care to lock your medicine cabinet if you can though. You never know what Bob is really looking for and I don't think they're sending their best.

Even with binoculars you will only see a moving dot.

An iridium flare is more impressive.

And a thing of the past.

Go outside when it's dark. Look up. Wait.

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