On January 6, 2026, people across the Chinese mainland looked up at the night sky and saw something out of this world: a glowing train of lights gliding silently overhead 🌌👀.
From bustling city streets to quiet countryside villages, amateur stargazers and smartphone photographers snapped and shared videos of the phenomenon—rows of bright dots moving in perfect formation.
Astronomy experts say these "string of lights" were none other than SpaceX's Starlink satellites. Launched to build a global internet network, hundreds of Starlink satellites often travel together, creating the famous "satellite train" effect.
"Starlink satellites can appear as a line of glowing beads when they catch sunlight right after sunset," says Dr. Li, an astrophysicist in Beijing. "It's a neat reminder of how human innovation is making space more accessible."
While some viewers mistook the lights for UFOs or meteor showers, the Starlink explanation is the magic behind the show. And if you missed the display this time, don't worry—more satellite batches are scheduled for launch later this year, so keep your eyes peeled! 🚀✨
Whether you’re an aspiring astronomer, a tech enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good skywatching moment, the next Starlink train is worth adding to your stargazing bucket list.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
