If you go outside in the evening or morning twilight in clear weather, then there is a very high probability that you will soon see one of the many artificial satellites of the Earth in the sky.
Currently, the number of satellites launched into Earth's orbit is about 35,000. Most of these objects are nothing more than space debris, ranging in size from a soccer ball to one meter in diameter.
Most satellites cannot be seen with the naked eye. But hundreds of them can be seen. These are satellites of a fairly large size - from 600 meters in length - and located at a fairly low altitude, from 1400 to 8400 meters above the Earth's surface.
They are visible provided that sunlight is reflected from them.
The largest artificial satellite of the Earth
The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest artificial satellite in earth orbit. The construction of the station began in 1998. Its dimensions are four times the dimensions of the more defunct Mir station.
The ISS revolves around the earth's orbit at an altitude of 348 km and a speed of 27,700 km per hour. The orbital station makes 15.7 revolutions per day around the Earth. It can be mistaken for a fast flying plane that crosses the sky in 4-5 minutes.
Due to its large size and panels that reflect sunlight well, the International Space Station is the brightest man-made object in orbit on the planet.
Under favorable conditions, the station will shine as brightly as the planet Venus and 16 times stronger than the brightest night star Sirius.
Other possibilities
In addition to the ISS, you can look for the shuttle with your eyes. We also see the Hubble Space Telescope in Earth orbit with the naked eye.
When is the best time to watch satellites
The best time of the year to observe satellites is June and July. During these months, the nights are shortest and the Sun will illuminate objects in the sky for longer. You won't see this in other months.
In addition, since the ISS is located at an angle of 51.6 degrees relative to the equator, you can see two different trajectories of its movement in the sky.
First, the station appears in the southwestern part of the sky and rushes to the northeast. Seven or eight hours later, you can see a completely different movement: the satellite rises in the northwest and goes beyond the horizon in the southeast.
The best hours for observing an orbital station are 45-60 minutes after sunset and 40-60 minutes before sunrise.
