If You See a Line of Bright Lights in the Denver Sky This Week, Here’s What They Are

If you’re looking to the sky the next few nights in Denver and think aliens must be invading, don’t freak out… It’s not a UFO, but instead the work of Elon Musk. 

The line of lights is part of Musk’s satellite system known as Starlink by SpaceX. Starlink uses satellites in space to beam internet directly into customer terminals in their office or homes.

As of earlier this year, SpaceX has launched more than 3,000 Starlink satellites into orbit. The end goal is to cover the entire planet with 40,000 satellites for high-speed internet connectivity.

The launch caused many satellites to be seen in the sky across the U.S., including in Denver.

Starting on Wednesday, Oct. 11 until Friday, Oct. 13, you may have another chance to see the satellite chain if you’re in the Denver metro area, according to Find Starlink, a program that helps track Starlink satellites.

The newest Starlink won’t be very visible in Denver for the next five days, but that might change in the coming weeks due to changing orbits. However, you might be able to see the older Starlinks in Denver this week. Here’s a schedule of when they’ll be visible… 

Wednesday, Oct. 11

• When: 7:17 p.m.
• Where: Look from the northwest (294°) to east (71°), elevation (from the horizon): start: 10°, max: 43°, end: 22

Thursday, Oct. 12

• When: 7:26 p.m.
• Where: Look from the northwest (294°) to east (87°), elevation (from horizon): start: 10°, max: 66°, end: 35°

Friday, Oct. 13

• When: 7:36 p.m.
• Where: Look from the west (285°) to southeast (145°), elevation (from horizon): start: 10°, max: 66°, end: 50°

Find Starlink is available online and as an app, and it allows you to see when the satellites will be nearby and visible in your area.