🛰️ Satellites
Bright artificial satellites you can spot with the naked eye, and how to recognize them. Precise real-time pass predictions require live orbital data (TLEs) from a tracking service — this page shows identification info and a schematic example pass.
Example Pass (schematic)
A satellite pass typically rises in the west, arcs overhead, and fades near the horizon in the east as it enters Earth's shadow.
Bright Satellites to Look For
How to Spot a Satellite
Satellites are best seen shortly after sunset or before sunrise, when the sky is dark but the satellite is still high enough to catch direct sunlight. Look for a steady point of light moving in a straight line across the sky over a few minutes — unlike aircraft, satellites don't blink or show colored lights. For live, location-specific pass predictions, apps such as Heavens-Above or ISS Detector use up-to-date orbital tracking data.