I think I can see a satellite.?

Question

For the past few weeks, I've noticed plenty of stars in the night skies from my Bronx, NY home. One particular "star" shines a slightly bit more yellowish than the other stars. It hangs almost directly above me. It does not appear to the naked eye to be any bigger than the other stars in the sky. Is there any way I can determine if it's a satellite or star?

Answer 1

Satellites track across the sky through the stars. Compare the position of your "star" to the other stars and see if it stays where it is. If so, it's a planet or star.

If so, there are two possiblities if you are looking almost due south at 9 o'clock. Lower in the sky is the reddish star Betelgeuse. It's Orion's upper right shoulder (left side, because Orion is facing you.) Find the three stars in a row of his belt and go up a finger's length.

But probably you are looking at Mars, which is above Orion, higher up than Betelgeuse. To be certain, make a little diagram of the stars around it and look again one or two days later. If it's Betelgeuse (the star) it will stay in place. If it's Mars, it will be in a slightly different place each night, moving slowly to the left (east.)

Answer 2

If it's not moving relative to the background stars, then it's not a satellite. The only satellites close enough to be seen with the naked eye are much too close to remain stationary relative to the Earth's surface. What you're seeing is either a planet or a bright star.

Answer 3

It's probably a planet. Some satellites appear to "pulse" due to the fact they spin as they orbit. The "Pulse" is caused by light reflecting off solar panels on their body. Other satellites look almost indestinguishable from stars, however they do perceptively move across the sky differently from stars.

Answer 4

If its "light" changes during the night from very bright to "nothing" it is a satellite. If it stays the same it is something from space. Perhaps a planet. Usually you can see satellites move fast in the sky and their brightness changes during that orbit in a minute or two from a very shiny object to an invisible one. That is why you can spot them in a clear sky!

Answer 5

If it doesn't move steadily across the sky in a straight line then it's *not* a satellite. Based on the position and color of the object you mention I'm betting that you're seeing a star named Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion.

Answer 6

It is the planet Mars, yellowed by dust in the atmosphere. All th planets and stars appear to be the same size to the naked eye. They are just points of light.

Answer 7

I think you're seeing Mars.



The satellites we can see with our naked eyes are all in Low Earth Orbit, and you can see them move. Generally, they look like dim stars, but they travel. At any one time, you can usually see 3 or 4.

Answer 8

A satellite visible with the naked eye moves very fast. It will cross your sky within a few minutes. It the thing does not move, it is not a satellite.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Not likely a satellite, they move across the sky rather quickly.

Answer 11

Its planet Mars

Answer 12

Hi. Try using Stellarium. It will show you what you are seeing. Free. http://www.stellarium.com/

Answer 13

It's a planet.

Answer 14

it's very probably Mars