Satellites

[Mr Giovanni Di Giovanni]

Good evening to all. I am writing here to ask for information after seeing the following phenomenon (a phenomenon so to speak) which is completely new to me:
About 20 minutes ago, I went out for a walk with my dog Axel, and of course I turned my gaze to the sky, which after another month this evening is exceptionally almost clear of clouds. Along the line that passes approximately just south of Mars and Regulus were 25 stellar objects, perfectly aligned and almost equidistant. Apparent extent of about 20 degrees and brightness varying from about mag 2.5 to mag 4.5. No particular colours. The movement of each was along the alignment with the others. They described about 90° in 30 seconds.
Obviously not UFOs or planes, but artificial satellites.
Unfortunately, as I didn’t have a mobile phone I couldn’t take any shots, not even photographs.
I kindly ask what exactly they are. What space project are they subservient to.

Thank you

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

[Grant Privett]

Sounds rather like a pass of new Starlink satellites.

If you have a look at the Heavens Above website at https://www.heavens-above.com/ you should be able to find out which ones…

[Mr Giovanni Di Giovanni]

Thanks to you Grant, I opened the link you point me to and found the explanation of what I saw. I knew neither that there were so many satellites nor that they can sometimes orbit in the way I saw them.
The observation of satellites and how to observe them was indicated in an old astronomy booklet that I managed to buy when I was still a little boy: The Sky Observer’s Guide, Western Publishing S. A., Genève (1966). The subject never interested me. Now, however, I do have an interest, to know whether they are actually necessary and to hope that none of these numerous objects fall on anyone’s head.
Greetings and thanks again

[Author]

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