Elon Musk’s ‘internet satellite train’ seen crossing the sky, and some people thought they were UFOs



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The baffled Britons were stunned and confused when billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites lit up the night sky over the weekend.

Enthusiastic stargazers watched in wonder as a trail of lights crossed the sky last night, around 9:20 p.m.

    SpaceX's Starlink satellites leave bright streaks in the sky

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SpaceX’s Starlink satellites leave bright streaks in the skyCredit: James Newman / Triangle News
    Star gazers in the UK watched in wonder as a trail of lights flashed across the sky last night

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Star gazers in the UK watched in wonder as a trail of lights flashed across the sky last nightCredit: James Newman / Triangle News

They took social media to speculate whether the streaks were meteor showers or even UFOs.

But the stream of lights was emitted by billionaire Musk’s Starlink project.

Part of the SpaceX rocket company, based in Hawthorne, California, aims to create a constellation of thousands of low-cost satellites to improve Internet service worldwide.

Amateur photographer James Newman captured the incredible display from his London garden.

    Satellites orbit the planet in groups of 20 or more, creating 'streaks' in the sky

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Satellites orbit the planet in groups of 20 or more, creating ‘streaks’ in the skyCredit: James Newman / Triangle News
    SpaceX hopes to send more than 42,000 of the satellites into space

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SpaceX hopes to send more than 42,000 of the satellites into spaceCredit: EPA
    Astronomers and amateur astronomers have ruined the project. They worry that it may block their vision of space

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Astronomers and amateur astronomers have ruined the project. They worry that it may block their vision of spaceCredit: James Newman / Triangle News

He said: “Our night skies can produce some spectacular shows, and last night was one of those occasions.

“At approximately 9:22 pm in southern England, a group of satellites called Starlink crossed the night sky over Essex.

James added: “Many people confused them with UFOs, but rest assured they will not confuse you.”

The British turned to Twitter to share their confusion at the incredible light screen.

    The British who saw the heavenly stripes on Sunday night went to Twitter on Sunday night to express their confusion.

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The British who saw the heavenly stripes on Sunday night went to Twitter on Sunday night to express their confusion.Credit: Chalky / Twitter
    Some jokingly suggested that the satellites were UFOs

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Some jokingly suggested that the satellites were UFOsCredit: stuart goodinson / Twitter
    A line of around 20 bright lights was seen by space watchers.

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A line of around 20 bright lights was seen by space watchers.Credit: Rico / Twitter

Steve said: “Does anyone know what the long chain of satellites that span the British sky is right now? Must be 50 of them so far?

Lewis Barry commented: “I know there is a meteor shower, but what is this?”

Lewis was referring to the Lyrid meteor shower, which is expected to be visible Tuesday night.

Stu Chalk asked, “What the hell is going on? A straight line of satellites, more than 20 so far, all equally spaced?

    Some scientists have warned that space debris could obstruct Earth's orbit and trap humanity on Earth.

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Some scientists have warned that space debris could obstruct Earth’s orbit and trap humanity on Earth.Credit: James Newman / Triangle News

What is Starlink?

Here’s what you need to know about Elon Musk’s satellites …

  • Starlink is a satellite project led by billionaire SpaceX CEO Elon Musk
  • Musk intends to put 12,000 satellites into Earth orbit so that they can provide cheap WiFi to everyone
  • SpaceX also intends to sell satellites for military, scientific and exploratory purposes.
  • 60 of the Starlink satellites have been sent into space so far
  • Satellites are being launched on unmanned Falcon 9 rockets
  • How they will affect the night sky is causing concern as they look brighter than expected
  • It will take at least 12 trips to bring all the satellites into space and they will be staggered to different heights above Earth.
    SpaceX has downplayed fears that satellites will block scientific observations

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SpaceX has downplayed fears that satellites will block scientific observationsCredit: EPA

Al Iguana commented: “I went out into the garden to observe the stars and saw six” satellites “, in a row, at a fairly equal distance, moving north.

“They weren’t planes, because a flickering jumbo light flew below them, and it was lower and slower.

“They were not meteorites, because they do not travel in a convoy … # UFOs.”

Starlink is a project that intends to put 12,000 satellites into Earth’s orbit so that they can provide cheap WiFi worldwide.

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SpaceX ships them in batches of 60 at a time and so far has deployed 362 into orbit.

The Starlink program is controversial among astrologers, who have criticized the tech billionaire.

They say that satellites get in the way of observations and prevent them from seeing the night sky due to light.

However, Musk claims that satellite trains will not have that impact.

Speaking at a conference in Washington DC last month, he said: “I am sure we will not make any impact on astronomical discoveries. Zero. That is my prediction.

    SpaceX ships its satellites in batches of 60 at a time loaded onto Falcon 9 rockets

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SpaceX ships its satellites in batches of 60 at a time loaded onto Falcon 9 rocketsCredit: Elon Musk / Twitter
    SpaceX is run by crazy billionaire Elon Musk

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SpaceX is run by crazy billionaire Elon MuskCredit: AFP or licensors

“We will take corrective action if it is above zero.”

If the British missed the amazing light show, they have another chance to watch the satellites tonight / Monday night around 10 p.m.

Last October, it was revealed that SpaceX wants to add 30,000 Starlink broadband satellites to the 12,000 it already plans to put into orbit.

The recent permit application could take seven years to obtain authorizations before the specified satellites are launched.

SpaceX would not have to launch all 30,000 satellites, but submitting them now could prevent other satellite operators from chasing the same slot machines.

    Space debris threatens to obstruct Earth's orbit (art print)

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Space debris threatens to obstruct Earth’s orbit (art print)Credit: Science Photo Library / Corbis
SpaceX’s fourth launch of the Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

In other news, NASA astronauts will launch into space from American soil next month for the first time in nearly a decade.

A surprising SpaceX video recently revealed how the company will one day fire astronauts to the ISS.

Apparently SpaceX wants the US Army. USA Use the 18,000-mile-per-hour spacecraft to transport troops and supplies across the planet in “minutes.”

What do you think of Musk’s satellite plan? Let us know in the comments!


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