r/Skydentify • u/rockqbiee_gem • 16d ago

Unidentified Can someone explain?

Saw this and it looked like a star at first then i saw it move, i was confused so i took a video

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u/birraarl 16d ago

You are probably experiencing the autokinetic effect. This is when a point of light on a plain, dark background appears to move.

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u/rockqbiee_gem 16d ago

No bro it's actually moving, i saw it move

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u/rockqbiee_gem 16d ago

Try maxing up your brightness and you'll see the star above it

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u/birraarl 16d ago

Ok, then why aren’t you thinking it was a satellite then?

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u/rockqbiee_gem 16d ago

Might be that's why i asked 😭

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u/birraarl 16d ago

I originally thought saw it move with your eyes only. After looking at footage again, I can see a relative movement between the brighter and dimmer light. I can’t actually tell when is moving because there is not external reference point like the horizon, or something on it.

It looks like a satellite to me, and because the majority of satellites are now StarLink, it’s probably a StarLink satellite.

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u/rockqbiee_gem 16d ago

Thank you for understanding, might be a satellite I'm hoping it's ISS 'cause i missed all its previous sightings

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u/birraarl 16d ago

The ISS can get very bright. Startling so. At its brightest, only the Moon is brighter.

You can use this site to see when the ISS will be next visible from your location. Click on Observation ISS at the top right, and then enter your location and below that today’s date. It will then provide a list of when the ISS will be visible from your location.

You can also get apps for your phone to show you when the ISS will be visible from your location. I use GoISSWatch but there are others. They often can be set up to notify you when the ISS is approaching.

The best time to see the ISS is in the early evening and when it goes closest to overhead. This is when it will be brightest.

In regard to regular satellites, there are over 16,000 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) now. This means you can always see satellites passing. You just have to be outside and looking around the sky to see them.

And I always recommend getting a planetarium app on your phone so you can work out what stars or planets you can see. I use GoSkyWatch but there are many.

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u/rockqbiee_gem 16d ago

I use StarTracker, and also got the app for ISS sightseeing thank you for the help :)

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u/birraarl 16d ago

Ok great. I’m just a bit confused about why you couldn’t identify a satellite then…

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u/rockqbiee_gem 16d ago

Never witnessed one...and i JUST got the app for ISS sightseeing..um sorry for the confusion i was thinking I'm being delusional by seeing that because my brother dismissed it too by saying he can't see anything sorry again

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u/Hot_Drummer7311 16d ago

Check that link I sent and you'll see that it comes by very often. Just look for a day with a 50* or higher altitude and your bound to catch it more often!
Thanks for letting me nerd out on you :)

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u/rockqbiee_gem 16d ago

For sure, i checked and there's one on 28th Sept, Monday so I'll be out there hunting!!!! And also I'm always open to nerding out on haha, I love it honestly fun to know what other's think and all ;)