LowEarth

Starlink train over Phoenix tonight

When to see the Starlink “string of lights” from Phoenix, AZ.

Next visible train pass
Wed, Aug 5, 7:54 PM
Peak 41.67° · appears in the N, moves toward the SW · local time, Phoenix.

Upcoming visible passes

DateTimePeakAppearsToward
Aug 57:54 PM41.67°NSW
Aug 58:11 PM21.61°NWSW
Aug 58:21 PM15.62°WW
Aug 68:19 PM16.88°NWW
Aug 78:06 PM25.87°NWSW
Aug 87:48 PM58.35°NSW
Aug 87:55 PM41.40°NSW
Aug 87:59 PM34.37°NSW
Aug 97:57 PM38.95°NSW
Aug 98:11 PM22.37°NWSW
Aug 98:17 PM18.06°NWW
Aug 98:20 PM16.19°NWW

Times are computed for Phoenix 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 Phoenix

  • 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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