On the night of December 23rd, residents of Oakland witnessed an unusual sight in the sky: a line of 19 small, white lights moving in a straight line. The spectacle sparked a flurry of speculation on social media, with some theorizing that it could be a UFO formation or a military exercise.

However, the truth behind the lights was far less extraterrestrial. The objects were, in fact, Starlink satellites, part of a constellation of satellites launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company to provide broadband internet access to remote and underserved areas.

Starlink satellites have been in orbit since 2019, but their visibility has increased in recent months as more satellites have been launched. This has led to more frequent sightings of the satellites, not just in Oakland but across the United States.

The sighting over Oakland was confirmed by SpaceX’s Starlink tracker, which showed the satellites’ path as they flew over the city. With SpaceX planning to launch thousands more Starlink satellites in the coming years, it is likely that Oakland residents will see them even more frequently in the future.

While some may find the sight of satellites in the night sky to be disruptive, others view it as a symbol of technological progress and innovation. Starlink represents a major leap forward in providing internet access to people who would otherwise be without it, and its potential to bridge the digital divide is undeniable.