From Starlink to satellite spotting under Broken Hill’s dark skies — a new frontier for Outback Astronomy.
Satellite spotting has become one of the most entertaining activities during our Outback Astronomy sky shows.
There is something intriguing, even exciting, about watching a tiny point of light moving steadily across the star-filled sky. Someone spots it, others start looking, and before long binoculars are raised as guests attempt to chase this mysterious traveller across the heavens.
Where is it going? How fast is it moving? Who owns it? What is it doing up there?
These are questions we hear regularly. Once you have successfully followed a satellite through binoculars, there is an enthusiastic search for the next one.
But there is a much bigger story behind those moving lights. Satellites are transforming the way humanity communicates, navigates, monitors our planet and responds to emergencies.
At Outback Astronomy, we rely upon the Starlink constellation of satellites even to send an email to a friend in Broken Hill, just 10 km away.
On the evening of 28 October 2026, we spotted a train of satellites rising in straight-line formation in the northern sky. We are seeing more of these trains lately. Satellite spotting has become a regular feature of our sky shows when conditions permit.
This is the first in a series of four to six articles that we will share with you over summer.
Consider how much of modern life now depends upon satellites.
Weather forecasts draw upon satellite observations – this is a core focus for our astronomy work. But also consider these needs:
Communications satellites connect communities once considered too remote or expensive to service with land-based infrastructure.
For people in regional and remote Australia, these developments are particularly significant.
The tyranny of distance has always shaped life in the outback. For decades, access to reliable communications has been a persistent challenge for remote properties, businesses and communities.
We have been Starlink customers at Outback Astronomy since 2022, so we know first-hand what reliable satellite broadband means for a business operating well beyond the major population centres.
A question from a guest in late October 2026 — “But what does Starlink actually do?” — prompted us to research and write this series of articles.
The answer is simple – Starlink provides our broadband communications service.
It provides the ability to communicate, manage bookings, access information and participate in the digital economy. That is delivered to us thanks to the technology orbiting hundreds of kilometres above us.
Perhaps the most recognisable name in satellite internet is Starlink, developed and operated by SpaceX.
Traditional satellite internet often relies on spacecraft in geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000 kilometres above Earth’s equator. These satellites appear to remain in the same position in the sky because their orbital period matches Earth’s rotation.
In October 2026, SpaceX reported that Starlink had more than 11,000 satellites much closer to our planet, in what scientists call low Earth orbit (LEO).
A Starlink user terminal, that is, the familiar flat antenna installed at a home or business, communicates using radio signals with satellites passing overhead.
Those satellites can communicate with ground stations connected to the wider internet. Many are also equipped with optical laser links, allowing information to travel between satellites in space before returning to Earth. That’s a handy feature over oceans!
The satellites form a communications network, constantly moving around the planet while maintaining connections with users below.
And because the satellites are relatively close to Earth, the travel time for signals is considerably shorter than with traditional high-altitude satellite systems.
For people like us at Outback Astronomy and other remote communities, maritime operators, aircraft and emergency responders, this has opened possibilities that once seemed extraordinary.
In October, we watched a presentation by Michael Nicolls, Senior Vice President of Starlink Engineering and President of SpaceXAI at SpaceX.
Mike delivered his address on 6 October 2026 at the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, Türkiye.
His presentation was titled Sustainability and Safety of Large Satellite Constellations from the Starlink Perspective Looking Forward.
Mike outlined the remarkable expansion of Starlink since its first batch of 60 satellites was launched in 2019.
At the time of his presentation, he reported that Starlink had grown to more than 11,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, connecting more than 13 million customers in more than 170 markets.
But perhaps the most fascinating aspect of his address was not how many satellites SpaceX had launched.
It was the enormous engineering effort required to operate them safely.
Mike explained that Starlink satellites constantly monitor their positions, communicate with the wider network and make adjustments to their orbits.
He reported that the constellation performs approximately 1,000 collision-avoidance manoeuvres every day. These are generally precautionary adjustments, rather than responses to imminent collisions.
He also emphasised a fundamental challenge facing the entire satellite industry. Operators must share accurate information about where their spacecraft are and where they intend to go.
Knowing where a satellite is right now is useful. Knowing where it will be tomorrow, and whether another spacecraft might cross its path, is essential.
Not all operators are sharing that information adequately, according to Mike.
As more organisations launch satellites, cooperation and responsible behaviour will become increasingly important.
Read about the presentation at the International Astronautical Federation.
One of the most enjoyable things about satellite spotting is understanding why a satellite becomes visible in the first place.
Most satellites do not carry bright lights intended for people on the ground to see.
We see them because they reflect sunlight. It’s the same reason you see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter.
Imagine standing at Outback Astronomy shortly after sunset. Our sky is becoming dark, but a satellite hundreds of kilometres above us may still be illuminated by the Sun.
As sunlight reflects from its surfaces towards our location, the satellite can appear as a moving point of light.
It may travel steadily across the sky for several minutes before fading or disappearing. That often happens because it enters Earth’s shadow and is no longer illuminated.
The reverse can happen before sunrise.
These periods around sunset and sunrise are particularly favourable for spotting many low-orbit satellites.
Occasionally, a group of newly launched Starlink satellites can appear travelling in a line, the famous Starlink train. As they move towards their operational orbits, they spread apart and become less conspicuous.
Of course, not every moving light is a Starlink satellite. We also see other spacecraft, including the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong space station.
Recently, Tiangong passed brightly overhead during one of our shows. For a Mandarin-speaking visitor, the sighting became a particularly meaningful experience.
It was a lovely reminder that space science can connect people across nationalities, cultures and generations.
Growing satellite constellations also raise questions about their effect on astronomy and dark skies. We plan to explore those issues in this series.
We think so!
For 12 years, Outback Astronomy has welcomed people from across Australia and around the world to experience the night sky.
Our particular strength has always been interpretation, that is, helping ordinary people understand and enjoy what they are seeing, without requiring specialist scientific knowledge.
We now want to extend that approach to satellites.
Imagine a dedicated satellite-spotting experience where guests can identify passing spacecraft, learn who operates them, understand their purpose and discover the technology that keeps them working.
We envisage educational displays, practical observing activities and opportunities to investigate satellite movements, communication systems and space safety.
Our broader plans also include developing social enterprise activities centred on science education, practical observation and environmental monitoring.
There may even be opportunities for more structured scientific observations from our location, particularly if researchers or satellite operators identify information we could usefully collect.
We would welcome such opportunities, provided they have a genuine scientific purpose.
Inspired by Mike Nicolls’ presentation, we wrote to him, introducing Outback Astronomy and outlining our ambition to expand satellite education and public outreach.
Better information helps people understand the benefits, question the risks and form their own views. We hope this series makes a complex and fast-changing subject more accessible.
Our proposal includes a possible educational display featuring a suitable Starlink satellite engineering or demonstration model, as well as access to technical information that could help us explain satellites and space safety accurately.
We have also expressed our willingness to explore observational or educational activities that might be useful to SpaceX, or other companies in the satellite sector or collaborating scientists.
We believe our location, facilities, visitors and experience in public astronomy education offer an interesting starting point for a conversation.
Imagine guests watching a Starlink satellite cross our sky, then walking inside to inspect an example of the technology that makes it work!
It would bring the engineering of space communications to life in a very memorable way.
Satellites are far more than little moving lights.
They represent extraordinary advances in engineering, communications and our ability to understand and work together across the planet.
They are also a reminder that space is no longer somewhere humanity merely observes. It is somewhere we now operate, communicate and conduct important parts of everyday life.
So, next time you join us under the stars, bring your binoculars, look out for a moving light and ask us what it might be.
This is Part 1 of a series exploring satellite technology, space safety and the exciting future of satellite education at Outback Astronomy.
Many satellites are visible because they reflect sunlight. After sunset or before sunrise, a satellite can still be sunlit while the sky is dark at ground level.
No. Other spacecraft, including the International Space Station and Tiangong, can also be visible. Aircraft and other objects can appear to move across the sky too.
After launch, a group of Starlink satellites can appear as a line of moving lights. They spread apart as they move towards their operational orbits.
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PLUS Ticket Inclusions
– Seating – reclined chair
– Sleeping Bag (in cooler months)
– Loan of an audio unit
– Optics suitable for the event*
– Side table
– Food and beverage service
Extras at Time of Booking
– Ear phones (or bring your own)
– Hot chocolate
– Options for other food, drinks
* Varies according to conditions.
** Only used in reclined chairs.
Standard Ticket Inclusions
– Seating
– Loan of an audio unit
– Optics suitable for the event*
Extras at Time of Booking
– Ear phones (or bring your own)
– Hot chocolate
– Reclined chair
– Reclined chair, sleeping bag**
– Options for other food, drinks
* Varies according to conditions.
** Only used in reclined chairs.
We use an audio system in most of our sky shows.
You should remember to bring your 3.5mm round plug/jack earphones – or you can purchase some when making an online booking if they are required for your event.
The following earphone connectors are not suitable – flat-style Apple Lightning, USB, Bluetooth or WiFi.
