How to watch the SpaceX launch with more Starlink satellites on board
It will be a late night!
Last updated 3rd Jun 2020
Just days after SpaceX and NASA launched the first commercial space flight, carrying astronauts to the International Space Station, SpaceX is getting ready for another launch.
The launch, which will take place in the early hours of Thursday morning, will see another 60 Starlink satellites launched on the same type of rocket that took astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken into space on Saturday.
The launch tonight will be streamed online for viewers around the world, however, with an expected launch time of 2.25am in the UK it will be a late night! Of course, if you can't stay up that late, the video should still be available to watch on YouTube, otherwise, watch it live below!
All being well, the Falcon 9 rocket will take off from Cape Canaveral in Florida, with the satellites that will add to the many hundreds already in space.
Since the previous seven batches of satellites have been launched, viewers have been looking out for them on clear nights, especially during the Coronavirus lockdown.
Looking like a series of stars moving across the sky, the Starlink satellites are hoping to improve global internet coverage in remote areas. Elon Musk's company SpaceX has plans to get a total of 12,000 satellites in space.
Earlier this year, the moment the satellites moved across the sky was captured on video.
To get an accurate time and area of the sky to look for the Starlink satellites wherever you are, visit Findstarlink.com and put in your location.
Now take a look through our tips on how to view shooting stars, many of which also apply to viewing the Starlink Satellites:
1. Dark sky
You might not realise how much light pollution there is in your neighbourhood, find out more about light pollution and where you can find a really dark sky here.
Allow your eyes 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Don't forget that the moon can also interfere so try to avoid times when it is visible.
2. Date and time
To increase your chances of seeing some meteors make sure you find out the best time to look for them. Often it is when the sky is at its darkest (in the middle of the night), or if there is a meteor shower, when the radiant (where the meteors come from - the constellation Leo) is high in the sky.
3. Look in the right area
It sounds obvious, but the sky is a very large area and meteors are very fast! Make sure you know which area of the sky you should be looking in. The Perseids come from Perseus, the easiest way to find it would be to use a free sky map app on your phone.
4. Good weather
Again, it seems obvious, but there's no point in standing in the cold when it's cloudy. Check the weather forecast before going outside, and if it's going to be clear later on then wait until then if you can.
5. Don't use a telescope or binoculars
Using a telescope or binoculars will DECREASE your chances of seeing a meteor. Meteors are so quick that you are likely to miss them if you don't use the naked eye. Save your telescope or binoculars for the moon or planets.
Read more:
10 things you probably didn't know about shooting stars
When and how to see the Lyrid meteor shower
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