When i look up, are they just satellites and why cant we see stars if they are just satellites. How do i tell the difference.
i live in the city.
2006-10-27 05:46:21 · 10 answers · asked by sandeepbahra12 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Satellites will move across the sky with respect to the fixed stars. What you are seeing is most likely only the brightest stars and planets.
2006-10-27 05:50:34 · answer #1 · answered by Wally M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can usually see a few stars even in the city. Of course you need a clear night, and it helps if you find a place with less light.
You can tell the difference between stars and satelites, because satelites will move across the sky quite quickly, whereas the stars almost don't move at all (they rise and set just like the sun, but you can't really see the slow movement).
Also, don't mix up airplanes for satellites... An airplane flying high will look like just a dot, but usually you can see it flashing.
If you want to see even more stars, even an inexpensive pair of binoculars will reveal many more stars than the naked eye.
2006-10-27 12:55:35 · answer #2 · answered by Leonardo D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although there is light pollution in the cities, what you see looking up in the city is probably stars. There are not that many satellites and they are not that bright. You need to watch for awhile and see them move to determine if they are satellites. But there are also a few that are geostationary and do not move visably. Satellites do not shine. Stars have there own light and seem to twinkle as the light comes through the atmosphere.
2006-10-27 12:53:35 · answer #3 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is a great website to identify exactly what you're seeing (either stars, which move slowly or satellites, which travel across the sky within 2-3 minutes):
www.heavens-above.com
Put in your city and it will tell you what stars you are seeing above you at any given time. Known satellites will be given a time and direction of rising and setting, and the time they will take to go across the sky.
2006-10-28 18:04:36 · answer #4 · answered by Janet712inEngland 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having just spent a lovely time in Primrose Hill, I was spotted a few times as a 'star', so there you go. One of the trials of being a celeb i suppose. Now, a satellite will appear to move across the sky whereas a star will appear to be fixed in position. Not me though I flit and flee all over the place. Regents Park was just so pretty...
2006-10-27 13:00:38 · answer #5 · answered by Frufrubella (fairy princess) 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stargazing is a little difficult in urban areas due to light pollution. Only the brightest objects get through. Some stars may be bright enough to see, but most are not. Satellites may stand out more readily due to the sun's light travelling a shorter distance and reflecting more more powerfully off them to reach the Earth.
2006-10-27 12:55:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the city and the amount of "light pollution". In many large cities you have to wait until very late to see stars and then only see the brightest of them. In the country you see much more. I have heard that the light pollution is some cities (ie Vegas) is so intense that you don't get to see anything, but I cannot say that for certain because I haven't seen it first hand.
2006-10-27 12:55:38 · answer #7 · answered by cosmiccastaway 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can see some stars, depending on what city your in and occasionally a satellite.
2006-10-27 13:17:13 · answer #8 · answered by bprice215 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on where you live and the amount of light coming from the city itself. most people have seen actual stars!
2006-10-27 12:54:16 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your probably seeing both.
2006-10-27 14:02:16 · answer #10 · answered by ben.treknerd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋