USAEARENDIL-1 Passes
Over New York
Predicted pass geometry, viewing conditions, and beam footprint data for New York when EARENDIL-1 — the first commercial orbital mirror — launches later in 2026. At 40.7°N, 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 40.7° N, New York gets them regularly, though less often than cities nearer the poles.
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: OCT–MAR. Northern winter — long dark nights and the most reliable clear spells.
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 New York
What EARENDIL-1 Will Look Like from New York
From New York, EARENDIL-1 passes will appear as a fast-moving point of light crossing the sky in approximately 3–4 minutes. At peak brightness it will reach magnitude −4 — comparable to Venus at maximum and clearly visible even from the light-polluted city centre. It will be one of the brightest objects in the sky during a pass.
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 New York at Launch
OrbitalNodes.ai will provide real-time pass predictions for New York 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 — New York
How bright will EARENDIL-1 appear from New York?
At peak overhead passes, EARENDIL-1 is designed to reach magnitude −4 — comparable to Venus at maximum brightness and clearly visible from anywhere in New York regardless of light pollution. This makes it one of the most conspicuous objects in the sky during a pass. Between commercial illumination passes, Reflect Orbital will tilt the mirror away from Earth, reducing brightness significantly.
How high will EARENDIL-1 appear from New York?
From 40.7°N, 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 40.7° N, New York gets them regularly, though less often than cities nearer the poles. The mirror will be one of the most conspicuous objects visible from the city on pass nights. The exact elevation varies pass by pass depending on the orbital geometry. Higher elevation passes give a longer viewing window and brighter appearance as the mirror is closer to the observer.
When is the best time to see it from New York?
Spring and autumn evenings. No extreme twilight issues. Summer evenings work well. Winter is coldest but air clarity is often exceptional after frontal passages. New York gets good year-round viewing — latitude, climate, and the dark Atlantic to the east all contribute to consistent mirror pass visibility whenever skies are clear.
Will the beam footprint hit New York?
The 5km footprint beam could illuminate Central Park or Lower Manhattan in a single targeted pass. At EARENDIL-1's target brightness, New Yorkers inside the beam would experience a perceptible brightening of the scene around them. Whether any specific location falls in the footprint depends on Reflect Orbital's commercial contracts and targeting decisions. The beam is steerable so it can be directed to specific cities or regions for commercial lighting purposes.
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.
What would a mirror pass over Manhattan look like?
From street level in Midtown, EARENDIL-1 at magnitude −4 would appear as a brilliant moving star crossing the sky between skyscrapers — similar to ISS passes that New Yorkers already photograph regularly, but potentially brighter and with the added element of the 5km beam footprint illuminating a patch of the city. From the roof of the Empire State Building or One World Trade Center, observers would have a clear arc of the full pass. A targeted beam over Times Square during peak crowds would be an extraordinary commercial demonstration.
How does New York's density affect the commercial case for mirror passes?
New York has the highest population density of any city on this list — 8.3 million in the five boroughs, 20 million in the metro area. A single overhead pass with the beam targeted at Manhattan could be simultaneously visible to millions of people. The city's rooftop culture, obsession with skyline photography, and media presence make it the highest-profile single demonstration target Reflect Orbital could choose in North America.
What are the best viewing locations in and around New York?
Central Park's Great Lawn provides surprisingly dark patches for a pass visible across the full sky. Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Staten Island waterfront give clear views of the Manhattan skyline with the mirror above it — perfect for photography. For darker skies, the New Jersey Palisades (30 minutes west) and High Point State Park (70 minutes west, Bortle 5) are the closest quality dark sky sites. The Catskills (2.5 hours north, Bortle 4) and Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania (4 hours, Gold Tier Dark Sky Park) for serious observation.
OrbitalNodes.ai tracks the ISS, Tiangong, Hubble, and all satellites over New York in real time — including exact pass times, directions, and brightness predictions.
→ SATELLITES OVER NEW YORK — ORBITALNODES.AI