SATELLITE TRACKING GUIDE · 2026
Starlink visibility is all about timing and geometry. This guide gives you a repeatable workflow: predict passes, choose the right magnification, and track confidently from your location.
10,398
Tracked Starlink Satellites
20°–60°
Best Pass Elevation
30–90 min
After Sunset Window
SOURCE ISSUE
Daily Data Status
Use this as a quick confidence check before planning tonight's pass in your tracker app.
Last successful refresh
May 29, 2026 13:53 UTC
Latest orbit epoch (TLE)
May 29, 2026 12:14 UTC
Next listed launch
No upcoming Starlink launch currently listed
Last refresh attempt: May 29, 2026 13:53 UTC
Visibility still depends on your location, local weather, and twilight timing. Data sources: CelesTrak Starlink GP TLE and SpaceX public launches API.
Usually yes, if your location has a pass in twilight. The best chances are in the 30 to 90 minutes after sunset or before sunrise when satellites are sunlit but your local sky is darker. A phone tracker app plus binoculars is enough to start; a telescope helps only after you lock onto the target path.
High-probability conditions
Low-probability conditions
Most people miss Starlink because they only search a global launch headline and never check local pass timing. Use this exact order to get reliable local predictions before you step outside.
Different tracker tools are better at different tasks. This comparison helps you choose the right tool for your observing style, so you can plan faster and spend more time under the sky.
| Tool | Best Use | Good For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find Starlink | Fast local pass lookup | Beginner and casual checks | Less context on brightness and sky geometry |
| Heavens-Above | Detailed pass planning | Repeat sessions and logging | Interface is less beginner-friendly |
| SkySafari / ISS Detector | Mobile alerts and sky overlays | On-the-spot field use | Accuracy depends on app settings and permissions |
| Satellite Map (3D) | Real-time context and education | Understanding current orbital spread | Not always ideal for minute-by-minute observing workflow |
Starlink satellites are easiest to see shortly after sunset or before sunrise, when they are still in sunlight while your local sky is darker. This is the same illumination geometry that makes ISS passes obvious.
Most reliable windows
Why people miss passes
For moving satellite targets, mount behavior matters as much as aperture. These three models are proven for smooth tracking practice.
The 6SE's GoTo mount plus manageable weight make it ideal for repeated satellite sessions. You can begin wide, then step up in magnification without constantly fighting mount wobble.
A lower-cost way to get automated tracking behavior. It is easier to carry and quick to set up for weekday passes.
When seeing conditions cooperate, the 8SE gives the strongest image scale. It is best for experienced observers who can keep fast targets centered at higher power.
In-body recommendation: if you want the easiest balance between tracking, setup time, and detail, start with the NexStar 6SE →.
The tracking snapshot on this page refreshes automatically throughout the day with updated orbital and launch information, so you can check timing without waiting for a page rewrite.
Update cadence
Data is refreshed multiple times per day. If a source feed is temporarily unavailable, the most recent successful dataset stays visible.
No. Most first sightings are easiest with the naked eye or binoculars. A telescope helps after you can reliably predict and track a pass path.
Right after launches, satellites can appear in closely spaced groups. As they spread into operational orbits, they usually appear as individual satellites on separate passes.
Start at 25x to 60x for acquisition. Move to 75x to 120x only after target lock. Very high power often makes tracking much harder for brief passes.
Most line formations are recently launched Starlink satellites before they spread out. The tight chain effect usually fades over time as they move into operational spacing.
It varies by latitude, season, and launch cadence, but many locations can get multiple opportunities per week. Use local pass tools daily because visibility windows shift constantly.
Usually in twilight: about 30 to 90 minutes after sunset or before sunrise. Check your city-specific pass table to get exact rise, peak, and set times.
SpaceX Launch Schedule 2026
Track launch windows that can drive new Starlink pass waves.
UTC Time Converter for Astronomy
Convert pass times correctly before you set up outside.
How to See the ISS Through a Telescope
Use the same tracking fundamentals on a brighter target.
Best Astronomy Apps 2026
Compare trackers and sky-planning apps in one place.
Astronomy Events Calendar 2026
Plan your sessions around conjunctions, eclipses, and showers.
What Can You See Tonight?
Use this to build a full observing session around your pass window.
Best Computerized Telescopes
GoTo options that reduce tracking friction.
Can I Use a Telescope Through a Window?
Important if your only view is from an apartment.