My friend snapped this photo last year. Could this be Starlink?
Date: May 28, 2024, 10 PM
Location: Southern Germany
We watched some Starlink videos on YouTube, and the spacing between the satellites in those clips seems much wider than what we see in this image. My friend also mentioned that the object moved slowly from the bottom right to the top left before suddenly disappearing—it didn’t zoom away but just vanished completely. It also kind of has a spiral shape, in my opinion.
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 forum! Your friend’s observation is definitely interesting. While it’s possible that what you saw was a Starlink satellite, there are a few points to consider.
Starlink Configuration: Typically, Starlink satellites travel in a straight line and maintain a certain distance from each other, so a tight formation with a spiral shape is less likely. They usually appear as a string of lights moving together, but the distance can sometimes vary depending on your perspective.
Behavior: The way the object vanished suddenly could suggest it was something else. Starlink satellites are generally quite small and do not “blink out” suddenly; they might fade away as they move out of the sunlight, but that’s gradual.
Other Possibilities: The phenomenon could have been something like a plane, a meteor, or even a satellite that entered the Earth’s shadow. Sometimes atmospheric conditions can create interesting visual effects that could resemble a spiral.
If you have the option, maybe check a satellite tracking app for Starlink over your location, as that could provide more insights. If you have any more details about the sighting or another photo, feel free to share!