LowEarth

Starlink train over Auckland tonight

When to see the Starlink “string of lights” from Auckland, NZ.

Next visible train pass
Wed, Aug 5, 6:10 PM
Peak 17.09° · appears in the E, moves toward the SE · local time, Auckland.

Upcoming visible passes

DateTimePeakAppearsToward
Aug 56:10 PM17.09°ESE
Aug 56:19 PM23.52°ESE
Aug 56:25 PM29.13°NES
Aug 56:27 PM31.73°NES
Aug 56:49 PM80.46°NS
Aug 57:24 PM22.12°NWSW
Aug 66:17 PM21.35°ESE
Aug 66:32 PM38.65°NES
Aug 66:41 PM55.83°NES
Aug 66:47 PM71.01°NS
Aug 67:13 PM33.06°NWSW
Aug 76:39 PM53.20°NES

Times are computed for Auckland and account for darkness + sunlight, so every pass listed is genuinely visible (not in Earth's shadow).

What is the Starlink “string of lights”?

When SpaceX launches a new batch of Starlink satellites, they're released together into a low orbit and spend the first days flying in a tight line before spreading out and climbing to their final altitude. During that window they look like a slow-moving string of evenly-spaced lights — often mistaken for a UFO. It's not a meteor or aircraft: it's sunlight glinting off a fresh Starlink train.

How to see it from Auckland

  • Time it for twilight — the train is only visible when your sky is dark but the satellites are still catching the Sun: roughly 1–2 hours after sunset or before sunrise.
  • Look in the direction listed above — the line of lights rises near that horizon and drifts across the sky over 1–4 minutes.
  • Get away from streetlights and let your eyes adjust for a few minutes.
  • No equipment needed — a fresh train is easily naked-eye; binoculars make the spacing dramatic.

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