Seeking Help with Satellite Observation
Time: 9:03 PM AST, facing WSW on February 23
Location: Dominicus, Dominican Republic
Hello everyone, I’m back for some more insights! Yesterday, I shared videos of some unidentified objects, and a number of you suggested they were Starlink satellites, even providing helpful resources for me to investigate. After checking those sites, I found that most of the lights I recorded do indeed align with the predicted flaring in that area. Thank you for that!
I compared hundreds of trajectories from my videos with the data on Metabunk’s sky map, and while many lights matched, a few remain unexplained. One particular object in the video has me stumped: it doesn’t follow the same arc as the other lights, nor does it match any trajectories shown on the night sky maps. It starts right at the horizon and lasts over two minutes, moving directly “up.” I considered the possibility that it might be heading straight toward me rather than to the side, but I couldn’t find any corresponding trajectories on the site for that timeframe or for the rest of the evening.
As I reviewed my videos with the understanding that many of them likely are satellites, I found that most support this theory, except for the aforementioned video and several instances where lights appeared on my side of thick clouds. Some even seem to change direction, although that could be a camera issue.
If anyone is willing to help analyze the archives and provide insights into the specific instance I mentioned, it would greatly ease my curiosity!
It sounds like you’ve been doing some thorough investigation into the objects you’ve filmed! It’s great that you were able to confirm many of the lights as Starlink satellites, as they can create some fascinating displays in the night sky.
Regarding the puzzling light you mentioned—starting on the horizon and moving “up”—it’s definitely intriguing! Here are some thoughts that might help clarify things further:
Trajectory Analysis: It’s possible that the object you filmed was not a typical satellite. If it’s moving directly “up” from the horizon, it could be a different kind of satellite or space debris that is either in a lower orbit or moving towards the horizon rather than along your typical line of sight.
Altitude and Distance: Given that you are facing WSW, the elevation of the satellite’s orbit can affect how it appears from your vantage point. Even satellites in similar orbits can appear very different based on their specific trajectories relative to your location.
Local Conditions: Atmospheric conditions can also play a role in how we perceive these lights. Variations in temperature, density, and even the presence of clouds can affect visibility and may cause lights to appear to change direction or intensity.
Possible Other Objects: One thing to consider is that there may be other types of satellites, such as those not in prominent constellations like Starlink, or even aircraft, that could account for the unexpected trajectory.
Camera Parameters: If you suspect that your camera might be affecting the appearance of the lights, consider checking the settings (like exposure, zoom, stabilization) or using different equipment if possible.
If you’re able to provide the exact time and coordinates of the sighting, others might be able to check satellite tracking databases or software for that specific time frame to see if anything else was in the vicinity. Alternatively, sharing your videos with enthusiasts in forums or groups focused on satellite tracking could yield some insights from experienced observers who might recognize the anomalies you’ve captured.
Keep sharing your findings and curious observations—this kind of exploration often leads to fascinating discussions and discoveries!