Hobby astronomers unite with former NASA engineer to uncover source of mysterious space lights
Hobby astronomers in Australia, assisted by a former NASA engineer, have identified mysterious lights in the night sky as satellite flares. The phenomenon occurs when sunlight reflects off satellites in low-Earth orbit.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing public interest in space phenomena and the increasing visibility of the expanding satellite population.
Hobby astronomers unite with former NASA engineer to uncover source of mysterious space lights B By Bryn Wakefield
Link copied Share Share article Orbs of light streaking across the night sky below the planet Venus are fascinating Queensland sky watchers.
They appear about 8pm to the west, sparking online debate about their origin, with theories ranging from aliens to min min lights and defence testing.
Lisa Manteit has seen them from her house in Marian, west of Mackay. She thought they were drones until seeing other people across Australia post about them online.
"I see all these, what look like moving stars, but they sort of swirl around and go in circles and some of them have colour," she said.
"Everyone around here has started watching them every night."
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