THAILANDEARENDIL-1 Passes
Over Bangkok
Predicted pass geometry, viewing conditions, and beam footprint data for Bangkok when EARENDIL-1 — the first commercial orbital mirror — launches later in 2026. From 13.8°N in tropical Thailand, EARENDIL-1 can pass directly overhead: an 88° orbit crosses every populated latitude, so the ceiling is the zenith rather than a fixed angle. What differs is how often — at 13.8° N, Bangkok sits well inside the ground track, so they still happen but come round less often than at higher latitudes. Bangkok's tropical low latitude gives it among the highest peak elevations for EARENDIL-1 of any major city on Earth. Passes generally rise in the SW and transit toward the NE, though near-equatorial latitudes produce more variable pass directions.
Predicted geometry for the planned 88° near-polar orbit at 625 km. Eärendil-1 has not launched, so these are modelled figures, not observations — and because the orbit is not sun-synchronous, pass times drift through the year rather than recurring at a fixed hour.
Best: NOV–FEB. Cool dry season — clearest skies before the monsoon returns.
Seasonal guidance only — based on this location’s latitude and climate, not on Eärendil-1 observations. The mirror has not launched, and because its orbit is not sun-synchronous the pass times themselves drift through the year independently of the weather.
What to Expect in Bangkok
What EARENDIL-1 Will Look Like from Bangkok
From Bangkok, EARENDIL-1 passes will appear as a fast-moving point of light crossing the sky — but unlike any other major city, the mirror passes essentially directly overhead. At peak brightness it reaches magnitude −4 — comparable to Venus at maximum. a near-overhead pass, the mirror's path traces nearly vertically across the sky, giving Bangkok observers a visual experience quite different from mid-latitude cities where the mirror arcs across the horizon. The city's persistent tropical haze slightly softens star fields but does not obscure the mirror.
The mirror is steerable — between targeted commercial passes, Reflect Orbital tilts it away from Earth, making it much dimmer or invisible. During an active commercial pass you'll see a sudden brightening as the beam angle locks onto the target region. The pass ends abruptly when the mirror tilts away again.
Unlike a steady satellite, EARENDIL-1 may show subtle brightness variations as the mirror adjusts its aim. Watch for a brief period of maximum brightness near the peak of the pass when the geometry is optimal — this is when the 5km ground footprint is directly beneath the mirror at closest approach.
Track EARENDIL-1 from Bangkok at Launch
OrbitalNodes.ai will provide real-time pass predictions for Bangkok from the moment EARENDIL-1's orbital data is published. No app download required — runs entirely in your browser with GPS-accurate directions.
◈ OPEN ORBITALNODES.AISpace Mirror Questions — Bangkok
How bright will EARENDIL-1 appear from Bangkok?
At peak overhead passes, EARENDIL-1 is designed to reach magnitude −4 — comparable to Venus at maximum brightness. Bangkok's 89° near-zenith peak elevation means the mirror passes directly overhead, minimizing atmospheric path length and enhancing apparent brightness despite the tropical haze that characterizes the city. It is easily visible from Lumpini Park, Benjakitti Park, high-rise rooftops, or any open area — though Bangkok's Bortle 8–9 light pollution means nearby stars fade against the city glow. Between commercial illumination passes, Reflect Orbital tilts the mirror away from Earth, reducing brightness significantly.
How high will EARENDIL-1 appear from Bangkok?
From 13.8°N in tropical Thailand, EARENDIL-1 can pass directly overhead: an 88° orbit crosses every populated latitude, so the ceiling is the zenith rather than a fixed angle. What differs is how often — at 13.8° N, Bangkok sits well inside the ground track, so they still happen but come round less often than at higher latitudes. This is among the highest peak elevations of any major city in the world — comparable only to Mumbai, Manila, Mexico City, and a handful of other tropical capitals. Near-equatorial latitudes produce more variable pass directions than mid-latitude cities: passes can approach from either the SW or NW depending on the orbital plane's relationship to the sun-terminator line at the moment of pass.
When is the best time to see it from Bangkok?
Bangkok's dry season (November–February) offers the best viewing — cooler temperatures in the 20–30°C range, lower humidity, and minimal cloud. The hot season (March–April) remains largely clear but uncomfortably hot. The wet season (May–October) brings daily afternoon thunderstorms that often clear by evening. November–December are typically the best viewing months.
Will the beam footprint hit Bangkok?
A 5km beam footprint could span from the Grand Palace across the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun — covering the historic royal core of Bangkok simultaneously. Alternatively, a beam over the Siam–Pathumwan shopping and business district could illuminate Siam Paragon, MBK, CentralWorld, and the BTS Siam interchange in a single pass. A beam targeting Rattanakosin Island — the historic royal quarter containing the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), and numerous other temples — would be globally distinctive, illuminating Thailand's most sacred cultural complex. Whether any specific location falls in the footprint depends on Reflect Orbital's commercial contracts and targeting decisions.
Is EARENDIL-1 visible yet?
No — EARENDIL-1 has not launched yet. Reflect Orbital is targeting a launch later in 2026. There is currently no space mirror in Earth orbit. OrbitalSolar.ai will update with live pass data from the moment orbital elements are published after launch. Check the mission tracker for current launch status.
Why does the mirror move differently from Bangkok than from other cities?
From the Northern Hemisphere at 13.8°N, EARENDIL-1 passes essentially directly overhead at this near-equatorial latitude. Compared to mid-latitude northern cities like London or New York where the mirror arcs at moderate elevations, Bangkok observers see the mirror tracking almost vertically across the sky. Near-equatorial cities also experience more pass direction variability — depending on the orbital plane's relationship to the sun-terminator line, passes can approach from either the SW or NW. Near-polar satellites cross high latitudes on every orbit, which at low latitudes can approach from various azimuths.
What makes Bangkok unique for EARENDIL-1 viewing?
Bangkok's 13.8°N tropical latitude gives it among the highest peak elevations for EARENDIL-1 of any major city on Earth — 89°, essentially directly overhead. The mirror's path traces nearly vertically across the sky at peak pass, a visually distinctive experience compared to mid-latitude cities where the mirror arcs from horizon to horizon. Bangkok's position on the flat Chao Phraya River delta provides unobstructed horizons in all directions, and the river's winding path through the city creates dramatic urban contrasts between historic Rattanakosin on the east bank and modern developments like ICONSIAM and Wat Arun on the west. Tropical haze slightly softens the viewing experience but does not obscure the mirror.
What dark-sky locations near Bangkok are best for watching the mirror pass?
The Blue Mountains (90 minutes west, Bortle 3–4) give the clearest sky with minimal light dome interference. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (45 minutes north) is excellent for clear northern passes. Royal National Park (45 minutes south) has a clear southern horizon. For serious observation, Observatory Hill in the CBD works for the bright mirror itself — at magnitude −4 it needs no dark sky — but the Blue Mountains are far better for seeing the beam footprint effect against a dark sky backdrop.
OrbitalNodes.ai tracks the ISS, Tiangong, Hubble, and all satellites over Bangkok in real time — including exact pass times, directions, and brightness predictions.
→ SATELLITES OVER BANGKOK — ORBITALNODES.AI