I could use some assistance with the satellite situation.
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 thanks to your feedback, I learned they might be Starlink satellites. I checked various websites you suggested, and it seems that many of the lights I filmed align with the areas these sites predicted would experience the most flaring, so I appreciate that.
I analyzed hundreds of trajectories from my videos using Metabunk’s sky map, but there are still some lights that remain a mystery. One particular light in the video stands out: it doesn’t follow the same arc as the others, doesn’t match any patterns from the sky maps, and appears right on the horizon. It lasts for over two minutes and moves almost directly “up.” I initially thought it might be heading straight toward me rather than off to the side, but I couldn’t find any trajectories that fit this description for this timeframe or the rest of the evening.
While reviewing my videos with the new perspective of them likely being satellites, I found that most of them match this theory—except for the one I mentioned above and several instances where the lights were visible through very dense clouds. Some lights even seem to change direction, although I suspect that could be due to my camera.
If anyone is willing to dive into some archives and help explain that one specific example, it would really help clear up my confusion. Thank you!
Hi there! It sounds like you’ve been doing a lot of great work trying to identify those mysterious lights in the sky. It’s definitely fascinating how technology like satellites can create such puzzling phenomena.
Regarding the object you filmed, there are a few possibilities to consider:
Altitude and Viewing Angle: Since the object starts directly on the horizon and moves “up,” it’s possible that its trajectory is indeed much steeper than the typical satellite path. Satellites often appear to follow a similar arc due to their orbits, but if you’re seeing one that deviates, it might be something at a different altitude or possibly even an atmospheric phenomenon.
Atmospheric Effects: Sometimes lights can appear to change direction due to atmospheric conditions, like temperature inversions or turbulence. It’s also worth noting that things like aircraft can sometimes create lights that seem to move differently than expected, especially when they’re flying at angles relative to your position.
Other Satellites or Space Debris: While a lot of reports can be attributed to Starlink or other commercial satellites, there are many other satellites and forms of space debris in low Earth orbit. Some satellites may have irregular orbits, leading to atypical appearances.
Camera Artifacts: As you’ve mentioned, camera movement, lens flares, or even reflections can cause lights to seem like they are moving differently than they are. It’s always good to analyze the footage for these kinds of artifacts.
If you’re looking to analyze specific archives, sites like Heavens-Above or CelesTrak can provide positional data for various satellites during your timeframe. It might also be helpful to compare your footage against satellite tracking apps in real-time to see if anything matches up.
If you can share the video or more details about the specific instance, I’d be happy to take a closer look at it! It might also be worth reaching out to local astronomy clubs or online forums dedicated to satellite tracking; often, there are enthusiasts who enjoy diving deep into these kinds of mysteries. Good luck, and feel free to ask if you have more questions!