Starlink Tracker: Live Map, Pass Times & Visibility
Starlink satellites can appear as a bright chain of moving points after a launch or as individual satellites crossing the sky. The tracker below calculates upcoming passes for your location from current orbital elements, so you can check the time, direction and maximum altitude instead of relying on a single timetable.
STARLINK TRACKER — QUICK ANSWER
Can you see Starlink tonight?
Visibility depends on your exact location, the satellite orbit and sunlight geometry. The easiest passes usually happen after sunset or before sunrise, when the observer is in darkness but the satellites are still illuminated. Use the calculator below; no result means there is no pass meeting the visibility criteria for your location in the next 48 hours.
Starlink tracker: what you can check here
Use the live tools first, then read the sections that explain what the results mean and how to plan an observation.
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Starlink live map: where are the satellites now?
The live map shows current satellite positions calculated in your browser from orbital data. It is useful for understanding the geometry of a pass, but a satellite being above your region does not automatically mean it is visible to the naked eye.
Visibility requires several conditions at the same time: the satellite must be above your horizon, it must be illuminated by the Sun, and your sky must be dark enough. Clouds, haze and light pollution can make an otherwise good pass difficult to see.
Starlink pass times for your location
The calculator uses your selected observer position to estimate passes over the next 48 hours. Focus on the local time, direction and maximum altitude. A higher pass is usually easier to see because buildings, trees and haze are less likely to block the view.
If a pass is listed low above the horizon, move to a place with an open view. If the tracker shows no visible pass, check again later or after a new Starlink launch. Freshly deployed groups can create the most obvious train-like appearance, but that configuration does not remain compact for long.
What is the Starlink satellite train?
A Starlink train is the striking line of satellites often seen shortly after deployment, when many spacecraft still travel relatively close together. To an observer they can look like evenly spaced stars moving along the same path.
Over time the satellites spread out and move toward operational orbits, so the compact train becomes less obvious. This is why an old photo or social-media timetable should not be treated as a reliable prediction for tonight.
Why can Starlink be visible after sunset but disappear later?
Starlink satellites do not produce their own visible light. We see them when they reflect sunlight. Shortly after sunset, the observer may already be in darkness while satellites hundreds of kilometres above Earth are still illuminated. The same geometry can happen before sunrise.
Later in the night many satellites enter Earth’s shadow and become much harder or impossible to see. Brightness is also variable, so a predicted trajectory can be reliable even when the actual visual brightness is weaker than expected.
How to watch Starlink satellites
Start by checking the pass a few minutes before the listed time. Choose an open horizon, reduce bright lights around you and give your eyes time to adapt. Use the direction shown by the tracker to know where the pass begins, then follow the moving points across the sky.
You normally do not need a telescope. For a bright pass, naked-eye observing is often easier because the satellites move quickly across a large area of sky. Binoculars can help with fainter individual objects, but they make it harder to follow a long track.
How accurate is a Starlink pass prediction?
The tracker calculates positions from current orbital elements with the SGP4 model. Pass time and trajectory are generally much more predictable than apparent brightness, which depends on viewing geometry and the way sunlight reflects from each spacecraft.
Orbital data are updated, and recently launched satellites can change their orbits. For practical observing, recheck the tracker close to the planned session instead of saving a result several days in advance.
How to photograph a Starlink pass
Use a tripod or another stable support and frame more sky than you think you need. A short exposure can record individual points, while a longer exposure turns moving satellites into bright lines. The ideal settings depend on sky brightness, lens aperture and how much motion you want to show.
For camera settings, focusing and exposure strategy, use our night-sky photography guide. If your goal is a clean star field rather than satellite trails, knowing when Starlink passes is also useful because you can avoid that time window.
PLANNING TOOL
Astronomical Events Calendar 2026
Plan observing nights around meteor showers, Moon phases, eclipses and other sky events, then combine the date with local weather and this Starlink tracker.
Starlink tracker FAQ
Is Starlink visible every night?
No. A satellite may pass overhead but still be in Earth’s shadow or too low and faint to see. The tracker filters passes using the observer location and visibility geometry.
How long does a Starlink pass last?
A useful naked-eye pass usually lasts only a few minutes. The exact duration depends on the trajectory and how high the satellites travel above your horizon.
Why do Starlink satellites look like a train?
Soon after deployment, many satellites are still close together along a similar orbit. As they raise and adjust their orbits, the group spreads out and the compact train becomes less obvious.
Can I see Starlink without a telescope?
Yes. Bright Starlink passes are naked-eye events. A dark location and an open horizon help more than magnification for following a fast moving group.
Can I photograph Starlink with a phone?
A phone can capture brighter passes in night mode if it is held completely still. A camera on a tripod gives more control over exposure, focus and the length of satellite trails.
Why does the tracker show no visible pass?
It means no pass meets the tracker’s visibility criteria for your selected location within the next 48 hours. Try again later, especially after new launches.
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