Giant space disco ball visible in the sky this week
The Humanity Star, a geodesic sphere with made up of 76 highly reflective panels, may be visible tonight and then each morning in the pre-dawn sky.
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Launched in late January from New Zealand by California based space start-up Rocket Lab, this three-foot wide passive satellite is intended as a “symbol and reminder to all on Earth about our fragile place in the universe,” according to company founder Peter Beck.
If you have seen the ISS pass over your home in the past, don’t expect anything that bright. While it will be moving at about the same speed, it will be several orders of magnitude dimmer. The darker your location, the easier it will be to see.
- Mar 16 8:14 pm, very low on the western horizon
- Mar 18 6:07 am, in the west
- Mar 19 5:51 am , low on the north eastern horizon
- Mar 20 5:52 am, a bit above the eastern horizon
- Mar 21 5:51 am, in the east
- Mar 22 5:47 am, in the east
- Mar 23 5:41 am, in the north east
Based on its orbit, peak brightness is expected the end of next week. I wouldn't wait that long to look for this flashing disco ball in space. It is only intended to be in orbit for nine months.
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