Can you see space junk in a telescope?

Question

And if so; What’s the smallest piece of junk that we can track by using telescopes?

I know that space junk is a problem and they do track it , but how is this done?

Answer 1

As an astronomer I have seen satellites many times. Sometimes they messed up photographs too by streaking them.

Small items will not be visible, but dwarf planets, large asteroids, and man made stuff we can see if it is big enough and visibility is good.

Answer 2

Certainly. It's more usual to see it with the naked eye, because your eye takes in a much wider field of view than a telescope. The commonest space junk up there is left over COSMOS launch vehicles. With a telescope, I frequently see space junk pass through my eyepiece. I've no way of telling how far away it is or how large it is.

Answer 3

if its a really powerful telescope then yes
i have absolutealy no idea about how small space junk can be to still be seeable
i recon to find out that answer go and reseach the worlds most powerful telescope (soz, no idea which one that is) and if u find a good enough site then it should tell u how far
gtg bye

Answer 4

Probably one of the many decommissioned satellites. Like all satellites these can be sen a couple of hours after sunset and a couple of hours before sunrise when they reflect the light of the sun.

Answer 5

Hi. Almost every night. Check out this program. http://www.stoff.pl/