Depending on the weather, the Starlink satellites may be visible from Michigan in the early morning hours over the next few days.
According to a website dedicated to tracking, a train of Starlink satellites—which will look like a long string of small bright lights—will fly over Michigan on the mornings of July 6, 7, and 8. Those interested in seeing them should look toward the south-southwest around 5:10 a.m. The satellites will quickly move toward the east-northeast and will only be visible for three to four minutes. For specific viewing and timing information for your location, click here.
Starlink satellites provide internet coverage to remote locations around the world. Owned by SpaceX, there are thousands of them in lower orbits than a typical geostationary satellite. Space.com reports that there are more than 6,000 Starlink satellites in space, each with a lifespan of about five years. Astronomers have expressed concern that such a large number of satellites could hinder viewing of the night sky.
When they are launched, Starlink satellites can look ominous, as they are in a straight line and move across the sky like a train of dots. Interestingly, these satellites have no light and are only visible by reflecting sunlight. As a result, they appear to simply disappear into the sky once the sunlight is no longer reflected.