Starlink satellite train: how to see and track it in the night sky

Gif animation of a starlink satellite train traveling through the night sky as distinct bright white lights against a backdrop of stars.

Starlink satellite train: TL;DR

Starlink satellite trains are a fascinating sight in the night sky. When the satellites are first deployed, they appear as a close-knit group of lights in the sky, moving together in a straight line. In fact, Starlink satellite trains are often mistaken for UFOs because of their unusual appearance. Soon after deploying as a train, however, the satellites climb to their operational orbit 340 miles (550 kilometers) above Earth and spread out from one another.