To determine if what you observed is a satellite, there are a few factors to consider:
Timing: Satellites are typically visible shortly after sunset or before sunrise when the sunlight reflects off them. Given your observation time of 6:20 PM EST on February 18, it’s possible that the object could be a satellite, especially during twilight.
Movement: Did the object move steadily across the sky? Satellites appear to move smoothly from one horizon to another, unlike stars or planets that remain relatively fixed.
Brightness: Was the object bright and steady? Satellites often look like bright points of light and do not twinkle like stars.
Location: You mentioned the object was in the eastern sky. Many satellites, including the International Space Station (ISS), can travel across different regions of the sky, including eastward.
If you provide more information about the object’s brightness and movement, it could help further determine if it was a satellite. You can also check satellite tracking websites or apps to see if any satellites were scheduled to pass over New York at that time.
To determine if what you observed is a satellite, there are a few factors to consider:
Timing: Satellites are typically visible shortly after sunset or before sunrise when the sunlight reflects off them. Given your observation time of 6:20 PM EST on February 18, it’s possible that the object could be a satellite, especially during twilight.
Movement: Did the object move steadily across the sky? Satellites appear to move smoothly from one horizon to another, unlike stars or planets that remain relatively fixed.
Brightness: Was the object bright and steady? Satellites often look like bright points of light and do not twinkle like stars.
Location: You mentioned the object was in the eastern sky. Many satellites, including the International Space Station (ISS), can travel across different regions of the sky, including eastward.
If you provide more information about the object’s brightness and movement, it could help further determine if it was a satellite. You can also check satellite tracking websites or apps to see if any satellites were scheduled to pass over New York at that time.