Cork people confused by mysterious string of lights in the sky last night

Hundreds of Cork people were confused last night by a straight line of mysterious lights moving through the sky.

Around ten lights equidistant from each other were moving through the sky in a straight line formation last night, with people in other parts of Ireland and the U.K. reporting seeing them too.

Many took to social media to ask what was going on, writing that they: “Look like stars but moving very quick and dead straight line”, with some asking if they were military aircraft and others joking that they belonged to supernatural visitors such as UFOs.

Anyone know what’s going on in the cork sky tonight with these straight line of lights pic.twitter.com/g0vm1BqZHI

— tbroderick (@broderickterry7) October 13, 2023

Amongst those to express their confusion were Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher, who asked: “Looking west tonight from Glanmire Cork at 8,50 pm there was a straight line of moving lights in the sky.

“Just wondering did anyone see this and does anyone know what this is? I’m not an astronomer but I know that I’ve never seen a straight line of stars like this.” 

The mystery was eventually solved by the Cork-based Atlantic Flight Training Academy, who explained that the lights were Starlink satellites.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by aerospace company SpaceX, the owner and founder of which is Elon Musk, the world’s current richest man.

Posting a photo of the lights from high up, the Atlantic Flight Training Academy wrote: “Amazing view of @SpaceX Starlink satellites passing over Cork during an MEIR training flight tonight.” 

Amazing view of @SpaceX Starlink satellites passing over Cork during an MEIR training flight tonight. pic.twitter.com/VMy3JRxgq9

— Atlantic Flight Training Academy (@AtlanticFlight) October 13, 2023

There are thousands of such satellites in the sky, but it is rare that they will all be in a straight line, as this only occurs immediately after launch as they all move into their positions.

According to SpaceX, 22 Starlink satellites were indeed launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Those who missed it can check https://satellitemap.space/ to see when they will next be visible in Cork.