County Durham residents were initially left spooked after a group of bright lights later confirmed to be satellites were spotted in the sky at around 5pm last night (December 11).
Starlink, a multi-billion-dollar internet coverage constellation was spotted over Consett last night at around 5pm.
Owned and operated by SpaceX, Elon Musk’s organisation, the operation provides internet coverage to over 60 countries, orbiting Earth 300 miles above ground.
Because the sun reflects off its wings, the fast-moving object can be seen by the naked eye without any equipment.
The constellation was pictured by residents in the Consett area as it went by, as many were initially confused at the sight and thought it was a UFO.
One witness was Elle Jane, who took footage of the satellites from Cutlers Hall Road.
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Taking to social media, Elle wrote “what is it?” as fellow spotters took to the comments saying the incident is “crazy”.
However, as some obsessed over the impending doom of the alien apocalypse, many were quick to identify the lights as Starlink, and said it had also been spotted over Crook.
This is one of many sightings of Starlink, which after its launch this year has been seen in the sky above the Isle of Wight and Poole.
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