If you were out gazing at the stars from Vancouver Island on Tuesday night, you may have caught a string of mysterious lights moving across the sky.
No, it is not a conga line of UFOs, but rather a series of SpaceX satellites that were launched into orbit yesterday.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp, also known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California.
The company, founded by business magnate Elon Musk, launched 60 flat-panelled broadband Starlink satellites on none other than Star Wars Day a.k.a May the 4th.
According to space experts, the company has been working to fill an initial internet constellation of broadband satellites.
Once the satellites were released, they start to fan out, forming a long line of light in the night sky.
60 Starlink satellites were launched from Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday afternoon. On their 7th orbit of the Earth they passed southeast over Seattle and central Idaho, at around 9.20-9.30pm Pacific Daylight Time, along the track shown here. pic.twitter.com/xTU3sDfHeh
— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) May 5, 2021
That line of light was visible to Vancouver Islanders last night and, there is a good chance, depending on weather, the string of SpaceX satellites can be seen again on Wednesday night.
One CHEK viewer from Duncan highlighted he saw the Star Wars Day display from Duncan at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Yesterday’s event marks the company’s 13th launch of 2021.
If you are out gazing at the stars tonight and see a strange string of lights, there is no need to fear a pressing alien attack. Just sit back and enjoy the spectacle over the horizon!
Graham Cox
