<p>A lot of satellites are visible under the right conditions. Usually up to 2 hours after sunset and 2 hours before sunrise. This allows the sun to strike the satellite when you are on the dark side. Depending on the orbit, it will take between 1 and 5 minutes to traverse most of the sky. Usually, they will enter the shadow and you lose sight of them.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-13T13:23:44.487Z
I like this link for the ISS better: http://iss.astroviewer.net/observation.php
Jeff Y
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-21T01:46:11.637Z
I would say timing is pretty spot on here. I've noticed them many times before and always wondered if that's what they were.
TheBluegrassMathematician
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-21T06:06:02.817Z
Have a look at [Spot the ISS](http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/home.cfm) and [See Iridium Flares](http://www.heavens-above.com/) for times to see satellites.
rickhg12hs
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-21T18:45:10.263Z
There are also smartphone apps that allow you to predict when you can spot the ISS passing above your place. Also Iridium flare predictor apps. Yes, those moving dots you've seen are reasonably likely satellites (can't say 100% sure, but fairly likely).
Florin Andrei
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-21T01:43:57.443Z
2014-04-21T16:12:43.417Z
2014-04-21T16:12:43.417Z
LDC3
<p>I've been observing satellites orbiting the Earth since I was a child &amp; I'm now 45. It just takes clear skies, low or no pollution &amp; limited light pollution, and patience for your eyes to adjust to the dark and focus on movements. I can easily see 10 or even more per hour these days but it used to be 1 per hour was a lot. You can even notice when the satellite is in the earth's shadow because it immediately disappears from view where it was shining brightly from the sun's reflection seconds before.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-09-17T20:30:11.940Z
Hello Star.  I've cut away a lot of the "fluff" from your answer. This is basically a good response, but all the chat was distracting. Note that this is a very old question, that already had a good answer.  You may find it more rewarding to answer newer questions.
James K
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-09-17T05:03:24.623Z
2024-09-17T20:28:31.147Z
2024-09-17T20:28:31.147Z
Starlene Star Summers
<p>I was just lying under the sky trying to possibly see some meteorites, unfortunately never seeing any I might add, but I saw three objects all moving at about the same speed( all at different times). They were far too faint and small to be aircraft or anything inside of the atmosphere I would think and there were no blinking lights. They were also moving fairly quickly it seemed. Could these have been satellites in low earth orbit? It's the only other thing I would think that they could be.</p>

<amateur-observing><observational-astronomy><satellite>
Are satellites orbiting around earth visible to the naked eye?
TheBluegrassMathematician
# Are satellites orbiting around earth visible to the naked eye?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-04-21)

I was just lying under the sky trying to possibly see some meteorites, unfortunately never seeing any I might add, but I saw three objects all moving at about the same speed( all at different times). They were far too faint and small to be aircraft or anything inside of the atmosphere I would think and there were no blinking lights. They were also moving fairly quickly it seemed. Could these have been satellites in low earth orbit? It's the only other thing I would think that they could be.

**Tags:** amateur-observing, observational-astronomy, satellite


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-04-21. Score: 18

A lot of satellites are visible under the right conditions. Usually up to 2 hours after sunset and 2 hours before sunrise. This allows the sun to strike the satellite when you are on the dark side. Depending on the orbit, it will take between 1 and 5 minutes to traverse most of the sky. Usually, they will enter the shadow and you lose sight of them.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I would say timing is pretty spot on here. I've noticed them many times before and always wondered if that's what they were.  
> **username_3**: Have a look at [Spot the ISS](http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/home.cfm) and [See Iridium Flares](http://www.heavens-above.com/) for times to see satellites.  
> **username_4**: There are also smartphone apps that allow you to predict when you can spot the ISS passing above your place. Also Iridium flare predictor apps. Yes, those moving dots you've seen are reasonably likely satellites (can't say 100% sure, but fairly likely).  
> **username_2**: I like this link for the ISS better: http://iss.astroviewer.net/observation.php  

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### Answer by username_5 on 2024-09-17. Score: 0

I've been observing satellites orbiting the Earth since I was a child & I'm now 45. It just takes clear skies, low or no pollution & limited light pollution, and patience for your eyes to adjust to the dark and focus on movements. I can easily see 10 or even more per hour these days but it used to be 1 per hour was a lot. You can even notice when the satellite is in the earth's shadow because it immediately disappears from view where it was shining brightly from the sun's reflection seconds before.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Hello Star.  I've cut away a lot of the "fluff" from your answer. This is basically a good response, but all the chat was distracting. Note that this is a very old question, that already had a good answer.  You may find it more rewarding to answer newer questions.  

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