You’re standing outside, looking up at the Big Dipper, and suddenly a perfect line of glowing orbs marches across the stars. It looks like a cosmic freight train. Or a glitch in the matrix. Most people honestly freak out the first time they see it, thinking they've finally witnessed a "close encounter."
But no, it’s just Elon.
Specifically, it’s SpaceX’s latest deployment. If you’re looking for starlink satellites in the sky tonight, you’re in luck because the orbital schedule for mid-January 2026 is busy. We just had the G6-98 launch on January 14, and there is another batch, G6-100, prepping to head up from Cape Canaveral on January 18. This means the sky is currently "leaking" bright satellite trains as these fresh birds find their permanent homes.
What is the Starlink Train?
When SpaceX launches a Falcon 9, it doesn't just toss one satellite into space. It packs about 22 to 24 of the newer, heavier "V2 Mini" units into the fairing like a stack of high-tech dinner plates.
Once they’re released, they don't immediately zip off to their final destination. They hang out in a tight line—the "train"—at a very low altitude. Because they are low (around 150 to 200 miles up initially), they reflect a massive amount of sunlight back to Earth.
Basically, they are easiest to see right after launch. As days pass, they use their onboard krypton or argon ion thrusters to raise their orbit to about 342 miles (550 kilometers). As they get higher and spread out, they get dimmer and harder to spot with the naked eye.
Why 2026 is different for stargazers
There's something weird happening this year that you should know about. SpaceX recently started a "mass migration" of about 4,400 of their older satellites. Michael Nicolls, the VP of Starlink Engineering, mentioned that they are dropping these satellites from 550km down to 480km.
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Why? To stay safe.
The sun is heading toward a "solar minimum" around 2030, and the atmosphere is behaving differently. By bringing them lower, SpaceX ensures that if a satellite dies, it will burn up in the atmosphere in months rather than years. For you, this means more satellites are moving through lower, potentially more visible altitudes throughout 2026.
How to Find Starlink Satellites in the Sky Tonight
You can't just look up at any random time and expect to see them. Timing is everything. Satellites are only visible when they are in the sun, but you are in the dark. This happens for about an hour after sunset and an hour before sunrise.
If it’s midnight and pitch black, you won't see them. They’ll be in the Earth’s shadow.
Best Tools for Real-Time Tracking
Don't guess. Use the same data the pros use.
FindStarlink.com is the gold standard for simplicity. You put in your city, and it gives you a "Timings with good visibility" list. If it says "4 minutes, look South to East," that’s your window.
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James Darpinian’s "See A Satellite Tonight" is even cooler. It uses Google Street View to show you exactly where the satellites will pass relative to your own house. You literally see a virtual animation of the satellites flying over your roof on your phone screen so you know exactly which way to point your face.
Heavens-Above.com is for the hardcore nerds. It provides technical star charts (all-sky maps) that show the satellites passing through specific constellations. If you know where Orion or Cassiopeia is, this is the most accurate way to hunt.
The G6-98 Mission: The Current "Hot" Sighting
The mission that launched on January 14, 2026 (Group 6-98), is currently in the "drifting" phase. This is the sweet spot. These satellites are still relatively close together.
If you're out tonight, look for a string of lights moving at the same speed as a high-altitude airplane, but with no blinking red or green lights. They are steady, white, and surprisingly fast. They usually cross the entire sky in about 3 to 5 minutes.
Common Misconceptions (The UFO Factor)
Every time a new batch goes up, local police departments get flooded with calls about "synchronized UFOs."
Honestly, it’s understandable.
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Human eyes aren't used to seeing perfectly straight lines in nature. But if you see a line of 20+ lights, it’s 100% Starlink. If you see a single bright light that isn't moving, that's Venus or Jupiter. If it’s moving and blinking, it’s a 747.
Also, astronomers kinda hate these things. The American Astronomical Society has been working with SpaceX to lower the "albedo" (reflectivity) of the satellites. Newer models have "VisorSat" technology or dark coatings to stop them from ruining long-exposure photos of distant galaxies. While they are still visible to us during the early deployment phase, they are much darker once they reach their final "on-station" orbit.
Sightings for the Rest of the Week
Keep an eye on the January 18 launch (G6-100). If that goes up on schedule from Florida, the "train" will be at its brightest 24 to 48 hours after liftoff.
If you live in the UK or Northern Europe, your viewing angles are often better for these early-stage trains because of the high-inclination orbits SpaceX uses. Southern US observers usually see them higher in the sky, almost directly overhead (the "zenith").
Actionable Steps for Successful Spotting
To maximize your chances of seeing starlink satellites in the sky tonight, follow these specific steps:
- Check the Weather: Use an app like Astrospheric to check for "Transparency." Even if it's not cloudy, high-altitude haze can make satellites disappear.
- Identify the Window: Go to FindStarlink.com right now. Look for the "Live Map" tab to see if a train is currently over your hemisphere.
- Get Dark: Even though Starlinks are bright, streetlights will kill your night vision. Step into your backyard or a dark park 10 minutes before the predicted pass to let your eyes adjust.
- Download "Sky Tonight": This app has a specific "Starlink" search filter. You can point your phone at the sky, and it will draw the orbit line over the real stars using your camera.
- Look for the "Leader": The satellites often travel in a line, but there's usually one "lead" satellite. Once you spot the first one, the rest will follow the exact same path a few seconds apart.
Stay updated on the SpaceX launch manifest. The more they launch, the more "trains" we get. With nearly 9,400 satellites already up there, even on nights without a new launch, you’re almost guaranteed to see at least one or two lone Starlinks if you watch for 20 minutes.