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Beersheba residents were left puzzled and concerned on Monday night after rows of glowing light points appeared in the sky, prompting speculation about potential rocket attacks or missile launches from regional adversaries.
However, the source of the spectacle was far more benign. The lights were revealed to be a cluster of Starlink satellites, part of a global satellite internet project led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and his company SpaceX.
“This is a constellation of commercial satellites from SpaceX, intended to provide communication services—meaning high-speed internet for remote areas,” explained Dr. Shmirit Maman, a space technology expert at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
The satellites, orbiting in a low-Earth trajectory, often travel in tight formations, creating a train-like visual effect when viewed from the ground. “They appear as a row of lights—an impressive sight that can be seen especially right after sunset or early in the morning when the sun is still shining on the satellites,” Maman added.
She noted that the phenomenon, while striking, is not unusual. “Even the International Space Station (ISS), which houses astronauts, can occasionally be seen as a bright point of light crossing the sky,” she said. “It can be observed with the naked eye. You just need to know when to look up.”
Several online tools are available to help skywatchers plan their viewing times. “It’s a great way to engage with space science—watching these passes with your children can be a memorable holiday activity,” Maman suggested.
Starlink, a project that began in 2019, aims to provide reliable internet access across the globe, particularly in underserved or remote regions. The recent satellite launch viewed from Beersheba was part of a mission launched on February 26, 2025, via the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Beyond its technological aims, Starlink has played a significant role in geopolitics. In June, Musk confirmed that he activated Starlink services in Iran after the Islamic regime restricted online access amid tensions following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran’s government later warned citizens against using the service, even as activists reportedly smuggled Starlink dishes into the country to restore internet access.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, interest in Starlink is growing. President Joseph Aoun recently spoke with Musk to discuss the possibility of bringing the service to the country.
The conversation followed meetings between Starlink’s Global Director of Licensing and Development, Sam Turner, and top Lebanese officials in Beirut. U.S. ambassador Lisa Johnson also attended the discussions.
As Starlink satellites continue to light up the night sky, experts urge the public to see them not as a cause for alarm but as a symbol of rapidly advancing space technology with real-world impact.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members