LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — An unusual string of lights seen in the night sky over Las Vegas caused some stir Wednesday, prompting multiple calls and emails to the 13 Action News assignment desk.
It's a strange phenomenon with a simple answer.
The National Weather Service office in Seattle, Washington, says the lights are likely associated with the SpaceX Starlink satellite launch on Tuesday.
The company launched 60 Starlink satellites into space from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
That night, people all over the Pacific Northwest reported a similar sighting, a string of lights glowing in the night sky -- the same as what's being reported in Las Vegas tonight.
What's in the sky over #LasVegas tonight??? The @NWSSeattle has a simple answer! It's likely associated with #ElonMusk's @SpaceX Starlink satellite launch. More: https://t.co/NjxinoojrD
— KTNV 13 Action News (@KTNV) May 6, 2021
🎥: Rusty Ready pic.twitter.com/m6lzzruVYJ
The satellites are part of a larger constellation, with nearly 1,600 in orbit to date, that the company is working on to help provide internet coverage to remote and rural parts of the world, Space.com explains.
Starlink is reportedly still in its beta-testing phase.
To learn more about the Starlink mission visit SpaceX.com.
Click here to view a Starlink tracker.
Meteorologist Dani Bescktrom explains further and shares when you can see the lights again next. Watch below.
Did you get a good video or photograph of the lights in the sky tonight? Send them to desk@ktnv.com and we may use them online and on-air! Please just let us know who to credit in the courtesy.
