Watch: Elon Musk's Starlink satellite train spotted in the skies above Wells

By Tim Lethaby 16th Jul 2021

We saw normal satellites and, if you were lucky, a shooting star or two - but for many of us in Wells we failed to glimpse the much-anticipated pass of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite train.

However, Ian Humphreys managed to captured the pass in this video, which was taken from the playing fields next to Tor Woods in Wells.

Starlink is very faint, but if you watch the 50-second video to the end you can definitely make it out in the night sky.

Ian said: "This was taken from the playing fields next to Tor Woods in Wells, Canon 1100D, 18mm lens at F4.0, with a sequence of 15 second exposures.

"The constellation has clearly spread out to a great extent over the period of a single day. I missed the first couple as I was originally pointed at Venus before realising where they were actually coming over, but the video is a time-lapse of about 10 minutes.

"I did see rather more by eye (there were about 20 of them in total), but the clouds were too bright to really push the ISO and record the really faint ones."

There were high hopes that Starlink could be seen above Wells yesterday, but for many it was too cloudy to make out the satellites passing.

However, chairman of Wells and Mendip Astronomers, Hugh Allen, said the Starlink satellites are highly controversial among astronomers.

He said: "The density and visibility of the satellites may significantly impact the ability of astronomers, both professional and amateur, to pursue their activities - the satellites risk becoming another form of light pollution.

"And without proper regulation (planning permission if you like) the astronomical community feels a bit helpless."

It is believed that Starlink will not be visible this evening due to changing conditions, so the next opportunities to see it above Wells are likely to be tomorrow (April 22) from 4.04am to 4.08am, and from 9.34pm to 9.40pm.

If you get any photos or video of it passing over tomorrow, please let us know.

     

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