Tonight (April 12, 2024) the luminous transit of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites will be visible to the naked eye. Here’s how to see them and how to monitor the passage of the “little train” in Puglia and the rest of Italy

In the evening of Friday 12 April 2024 a new exciting is expected transit of the satellite constellation Starlink which will turn out well visible to the naked eye throughout Italy:

As he remembers GloboChannel.comdeveloped by SpaceX, has sparked a heated debate about the impact its presence has and will have on the night sky. Among the advantages of the artificial satellite system is theinternet access: the constellation aims to provide broadband internet in remote and disadvantaged areas of the planet, bridging the digital divide. On the other hand, these and other satellites are causing controversy for their potential “light pollution”. Furthermore, it should be remembered that the large number of satellites in orbit increases the risk of collisions, generating space debris that could create a cascade of accidents, rendering orbits unusable and threatening the safety of future space missions. Here’s how to prepare for the observation:

Starlink satellites, how to see them:

As reported at the beginning of this study, on the evening of April 12, 2024 it will be enough to look up at the sky to admire the transit of the satellite constellation Starlink Of SpaceX. The passage of the “little train” is scheduled for 9.05pm (Italian time). To avoid “showing up late for your appointment” you can follow the transit live from the website heavens-above.com which, in addition to monitoring the transit of the aforementioned constellation of satellites, also reports real-time data of the passage of the International Space Station (Iss) and many other objects that rotate around the earth.

The future of Starlink:

The debate over Starlink’s impact is set to continue as new satellites are launched and new technologies are developed. It is essential to find a balance between the benefits offered by these constellations and the protection of the night sky, a priceless heritage for science, culture and humanity. Starlink’s impact on the night sky varies depending on several factors, such as latitude, satellite magnitude and the Moon’s illumination phase. Some people find Starlink passages fascinating to see, while others consider them an intrusion into the night sky. It’s important to remember that the Starlink constellation is still in development and its final impact on the night sky is yet to be determined.