See a Satellite Tonight

https://james.darpinian.com/satellites/

by jonbaer • 4 years ago

89 18 4 years ago

james.darpinian.com

eimrine• 4 years ago

May I enter my coords by kbd?

modeless2• 4 years ago

Yes, there's a "change location" link that brings up a box to type in your address or coordinates.

dang• 4 years ago

See a Satellite Tonight - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26638355 - March 2021 (50 comments)

Show HN: See a Satellite Tonight. No Telescope Required - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21037167 - Sept 2019 (152 comments)

orsenthil• 4 years ago

So, how do I see this without an any equipment?

Gordonjcp• 4 years ago

Go outside when it's dark. Look up. Wait.

mritzmann• 4 years ago

You see a light fly by.

- If the light flashes, it is an aircraft

- If the light is not flashing, it is a satellite

- And if the light is very very fast, it is a shooting star

csunbird• 4 years ago

- And if it is getting bigger and brighter by the second, you should evacuate the area.

On the non-joking side, most of the lights in the sky do appear static, as their relative positions only change by earth's rotation. If the light does not appear to be static, then it is not a star or planet, and probably is human made, unless it is a meteor or shooting star.

the_third_wave• 4 years ago

- And if the light starts to make radical manoeuvres at insane speeds it is a UFO

Tepix2• 4 years ago

Even with binoculars you will only see a moving dot.

kevin_thibedeau• 4 years ago

An iridium flare is more impressive.

sentrms• 4 years ago

The question should be, how to not see a satellite. Even looking up for 3 minutes I can see at least one satellite flying over on a clear night. For context, this is rural, south-west France (Lot-et-Garonne) with little to no light pollution.

RLN• 4 years ago

Apart from being incredibly optimisic about clouds and light pollution, this is really cool. Showing where the satellite should pass from a streetview perspective is a really nice addition I've not seen before.

xeddit• 4 years ago

I'm convinced we're some of the last people who will be able to see star constellations, you can look up at the sky at almost any moment and find a satellite. How long before star constellations become unrecognisable due to satellites passing through them? What will the night sky look like in 500 years? In my childhood there were none, now there are thousands. Every time I point one out people spurt out "international space station" as if that's the only thing floating around up there.

Tepix2• 4 years ago

I don't think it's as dramatic as you fear. Most satellites that are part of these megaconstellations will not be bright most of the time. It's mostly during dusk and dawn.

modeless2• 4 years ago

Yes. And even during dusk and dawn, most operational satellites are not visible. What you see is mostly a few low orbiting things like ISS and Hubble (and now Tiangong), and spent rocket stages that weren't responsibly deorbited. You can see Starlink satellites too, but only while they are raising their orbits just after launch. When they reach operational altitude, where they stay for the vast majority of their lifespan, they are no longer visible to the naked eye.

readenough• 4 years ago

I think in 500 years the sky should look like a blue and white dot outside of the window of the space craft.

See a Satellite Tonight

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