Several years ago I was on holiday in Portugal, or somewhere like that anyway. Where we went there was no light pollution and the sky was amazingly clear, you could even see the outline of the milky way around the stars (if thats what it was, maybe cosmic dust or something). Anyway whilst we were watching the stars, we noticed that one seemed to be moving across the sky. I remember this pretty well, I recall following it and then a few minutes later I could no longer find it. The explanation given- a satellite. I have no idea about this, but I am guessing it was probably a satellite. However, do satellites actually show up in the nights sky? where would the light come from- could the sun illuminate it from that far?
I just thought it was odd because I remember that after a short while we could no longer find it, and i've never seen a satellite in the sky since, from memory.

Most likely a satelite. The are illuminated by the Sun. Their altitude means even though the surface where you are is in darkness they are still in sunlight.

The reason it disappeared is probably because it moved into the "shadow" caused by the Earth. Seen it happen many times.

You can see satelites all the time, you just have to be looking hard enough. The ones that move are either low or high Earth Orbit. You wont notice the geostationary ones because they are...well stationary.

Its the ones that change direction you need to ask about.

ah thanks, yeah I thought it may have been the Sun for a reason like that. I'm just suprised at how bright they are then.

I have to agree with Dog_Boy - a satellite.

I live in rural America and I see satellites passing over head all the time. It would only be considered a 'UFO' if it made odd movements.

The moons even further? look how the suns reflects its rays off that..?

Hey Ed, I see satellites every time I look up into the night sky..?

Your guessing satellite sounds about right...!

yeah, I have a program which watches all teh stars adn planets. a satelite flew by and it was here for a second and then gone.

1. Did it show up mid sky or from across the horizon?
2. Did it disapear across the horizon or just disapear?
3. Was it zig zagging at all or was it moving completely straight?

You can also see the international space station go overhead occasionally. That's if you have a clear night of course.

Don't know what speed it orbits at, but it goes from horizon to horizon in just a couple of minutes.

vague recollection- it appeared, travelled a while and then disappeared (in a straight line), but now I am convinced it is a satellite. In London, the sky doesn't tend to be clear so identifying flying objects is not something I am particularly good at or have any real experience with.

During the winter I see dozens of satelites moving back and forth where I live, but only in the winter.

what? as in you see satellite A move foward and then ten minutes later satellite A moving in the opposite direction? Or do you mean you see many satellites?