Spotting satellites
In this activity, students use app and web-based resources to help them spot and learn more about artificial satellites as they move across the sky.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
use selected internet resources to further their knowledge about satellites and their orbits
use some of the terminology associated with satellite spotting
discuss why we can see some satellites more easily than others.
Satellites and orbits
The size, orbit and design of a satellite depend on its purpose. In this interactive, scientists discuss the functions of various satellites and orbits. Accompanying fact files provide information about specific satellites used by New Zealanders and the advantages of using a certain orbit.
Select one of 7 satellites or one of 6 orbits and a popup box appears, giving a fact file and a video clip.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
student handout.
Related content
Satellites are built to perform specific functions. This article provides key information to successfully build a satellite to support science missions.
Useful links
Spot the station from NASA gives a list of upcoming space station sighting opportunities for over 6,700 locations worldwide. Several times a week, Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston determines sighting opportunities. If your specific city or town isn’t listed, pick one that is close to you. The space station is visible for a long distance around each of the listed locations.
The website Heaven Above provides prediction services for bright satellites.
Find Starlink shows when Starlink satellites are expected to be visible at a user's location.
