recreational stargazer in the UK are in for a special treat this hebdomad . The man - made Humanity Star will be seeable from Blighty for the first time since its launch in January .
Thecontroversial satelliteis the brainchild of privately - owned space society , Rocket Lab , who launched the fake whiz in a hush - hush mission on January 20 , 2018 . Despite its modest sizing – it is just 1 meter ( 3.3 feet ) wide – it is seeable to the naked eye thanks to its76 highly - ruminative panelsmade from carbon copy fibre .
The satellite , which orb the Earth every 90 minutes , will re-emerge over Britain on Wednesday , February 21 . In Glasgow , viewers will be able to tell apart the “ disco Lucille Ball ” at around 07:16:46am GMT . It will be visible at 07:17:20 GMT for people in Belfast , 07:17:29 GMT for mass in Manchester , 07:17:33 for people in Liverpool , 07:18:17 GMT for people in Cardiff , and 07:18:40 GMT for the great unwashed in Exeter .
The Humanity Star will take a immediate break from the UK on Thursday to return again on Friday , February 23 . This time it will be seeable from Birmingham at 06:46:04 GMT , Leeds at 06:45:25 GMT , Cambridge at 06:45:53 GMT , London at 06:46:13 GMT , and Brighton at 06:46:30 GMT .
The labor was designed to be " a bright symbol and reminder to all on Earth about our delicate seat in the cosmos " , according to thecompany website .
“ My promise is that everyone looking up at the Humanity Star will look past it to the expanse of the universe of discourse , sense a connection to our place in it and recollect a little differently about their lives , actions and what is important , ” Peter Beck , founder and caller CEO , explicate in astatement .
Unfortunately for Beck , several astronomers have very publicly disagreed , call it “ space graffito ” and “ another flashing item asking for eyeballs ” .
“ Most of us would not think it cute if I stuck a expectant flashing strobe light - light on a polar bear , or emblazoned my company slogan across the perilous upper reach of Everest , ” Caleb Scharf save forScientific American .
The orbit will decay by October , which will make the orbiter to decompose in the ambiance as it tip down to Earth – so if you are at all funny , enchant it while you may .
uranologist nation - side should be able to see the Humanity Star soar through US skies for the first time in March ( we ’ll be back with specifics then ) .
For the most accurate prediction of when it will be near you , suss out out theHumanity Star tracker .
