On Thursday night, a series of lights aligned in the sky left residents across various regions of Cuba in awe, sparking curiosity and a flurry of reactions on social media. Images shared by internet users captured a formation of luminous points moving in a straight line, clearly visible to the naked eye from western, central, and eastern provinces of the island.
In towns such as Matanzas, Cárdenas, Perico, Varadero, and Santa Clara, numerous individuals reported witnessing the event around 9:20 p.m. The meteorologist Henry Delgado Manzor and the specialized account J J Pulido Salud VC both confirmed that the lights were indeed the Starlink satellites, recently launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Complex in Florida, USA, by the aerospace company SpaceX.
The Starlink project is a constellation of satellites designed to provide high-speed satellite internet globally. Each satellite is equipped with solar panels and antennas that transmit signals back to Earth. Experts clarify that the visibility of these satellites depends on factors such as the time of day, the observer's location, and atmospheric conditions. They are most visible just after sunset or before sunrise when the sun still illuminates their solar panels, reflecting light back to Earth.
In the days following a launch, the satellites tend to travel in clusters, moving in a straight line at a consistent speed, making them easier to spot from the ground. Over time, they gradually disperse, and the aligned formation becomes less visible.
The phenomenon ignited a wave of posts and comments online. A user named Yoyo's Photograph posted: “Two lines of points of light just passed. They moved southward and then vanished,” alongside a photo of the night sky.
Similar occurrences have been noted in the past. In late May of the previous year, residents of Matanzas observed a Starlink satellite train shortly after its launch, an event also documented by Delgado Manzor. Just days prior, a Falcon 9 rocket launch carrying 23 Starlink satellites was visible from eastern Cuba and several Florida cities, including Holguín and Gibara, as reported by media outlets and social media users.
Since its inception in 2019, SpaceX has launched over 6,000 Starlink satellites into orbit and has sought approval to deploy up to 30,000 more. Unlike other systems that operate at approximately 35,000 km altitude, Starlink orbits around 550 km, enhancing the service's latency and speed.
This Thursday's spectacle adds to the ongoing wonder that space technology continues to inspire in the Cuban skies.
Understanding the Starlink Satellite Phenomenon
What are Starlink satellites?
Starlink satellites are part of a project by SpaceX designed to provide high-speed satellite internet globally. Each satellite is equipped with solar panels and antennas to transmit internet signals back to Earth.
Why are Starlink satellites visible in the sky?
The satellites are visible because their solar panels reflect sunlight, especially just after sunset or before sunrise. They appear as a series of lights moving in a straight line across the sky.
How many Starlink satellites has SpaceX launched?
Since 2019, SpaceX has launched over 6,000 Starlink satellites and plans to deploy up to 30,000 more to enhance global internet coverage.