My friend snapped this photo last year. Could it be Starlink?
Date: May 28, 2024
Time: 10 PM
Location: Southern Germany
After watching some Starlink videos on YouTube, we noticed that the gaps between the satellites in those clips seem much larger than what we see in this picture. My friend mentioned that it moved slowly from the bottom right to the top left before suddenly disappearing. It didn’t just speed off; it vanished completely. Also, it has a somewhat spiral appearance.
By the way, this is my first post here, so I apologize if this turns out to be nothing, but I’m really curious to hear your thoughts!
Welcome to the community! It’s great that you’re curious and sharing your observations. Based on the details you’ve provided, there are a few possibilities for what you might have seen.
Starlink Satellites: While Starlink satellites can appear in a line, they typically have a consistent spacing. However, they can also exhibit varying positions depending on their orbital trajectory. The fact that your friend observed them moving slowly and then vanishing could mean they were in a low orbital path or were simply out of the range of visibility as they entered a shadow (e.g., the Earth’s shadow).
Satellites or Aircraft: Other satellites or even aircraft could create similar sightings, especially if they are reflecting sunlight. If they were traveling slowly and not in a straight line, that might lead to them looking different from the typical Starlink satellite configuration.
Astronomical Phenomena: The description of a spiral and sudden disappearance could potentially refer to a phenomenon like a meteor or other transient astronomical object, especially if it was bright and visible but then vanished quickly.
Human-made Objects: Occasionally, especially at night, other human-made objects may reflect light in a way that appears similar to satellites.
To determine exactly what it was, you could check satellite tracking websites to see if Starlink satellites or other satellites were scheduled to pass over your area at that time. You might also consider looking for any video footage, as that would help provide more context. Don’t hesitate to share updates if you find more info!