Discussion: New starlink-6 group passes next week

The starlink-6 bunch has split into two dense groups. The original group has basically the same timing as before, but 19 of the sats have been raised about 20km (perigee) and as a result are falling behind the main group. Both groups are very compact and worth trying to see. The second group will be 15-20 mins behind the first as of Monday and will continue to fall further behind.



Even though both groups are still in the same orbital plane they will cross different parts of the sky due to the rotation of the earth between the two passes. One or the other (or both) might be favorable, so check the predicts for both so you'll know where to look.

Group1 is 39 sats, 0-5s between sats
Group2 is 19 sats, 5-10s between sats

Here are the predicts for the leader sats in each group for Boston/N.E.:

starlink-6, group1 leader
starlink-6, group2 leader

For example, you'll have high passes of both groups on Sun Apr 26 (tonight!), the first at 8:35 PM EDT and the second 15 mins later at 8:50.

On Mon night Apr 27 you'll again be able to see both groups, but they'll be relatively low in the sky, passing near and just below Venus and the crescent moon. Those will be good landmarks to use on the 27th.

The main group is on the move. They started raising the orbits of group1 this evening, so the pass times are starting to slide later. Check the predicts before going out to watch.

Here's a plot of the perigee-apogee altitudes of the whole constellation, with starlink-6 shown in purple:

We saw Group 1 tonight...I counted 39 lights all in a row (some closer together than others). SOOOOOO cool to see!

From where we are they were arcing from NW to SE through near the Big Dipper handle/bowl junction.

And Group 2...

It was awesome!! From here during the first pass there were two fixed places in the sky that, as the line of sats passed, they flared (flashed brightly) as either the antenna or solar panel glinted. Just awesome. I took some pics. We'll see...

Need to make sure the west coast folks are watching 3 hours later.

Single 10s frame from group 1 passing though the little dipper. 4 flares visible. Star at left-center is Polaris:


Single 10s frame from group 2 passing through Leo Minor (I think). 6 sats visible:

Here's a rough animation of last night's group1 pass (rocking back and forth):



Still working on the stack. The changing sky brightness makes it harder.