EARENDIL-1 Passes
Over Perth
Predicted pass geometry, viewing conditions, and beam footprint data for Perth when EARENDIL-1 — the first commercial orbital mirror — launches in mid-2026. From 31.95°S on Australia's Indian Ocean coast, EARENDIL-1 reaches up to ~71° peak elevation, with Mediterranean-climate dry summers providing some of Australia's most reliable viewing conditions. Passes rise in the NW and transit toward the NE, opposite to northern-hemisphere observers.
What to Expect in Perth
What EARENDIL-1 Will Look Like from Perth
From Perth, 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 CBD. With 71° peak elevation, the mirror passes near the zenith on the best passes, making it one of the brightest objects in the Perth sky.
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 Perth at Launch
OrbitalNodes.ai will provide real-time pass predictions for Perth 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 — Perth
How bright will EARENDIL-1 appear from Perth?
At peak overhead passes, EARENDIL-1 is designed to reach magnitude ~−4 — comparable to Venus at maximum brightness. Perth's 71° peak elevation puts the mirror near the zenith on best passes, enhancing its apparent brightness. It will be easily visible from anywhere in Perth regardless of light pollution — from the CBD, Scarborough Beach, or the Hills. Between commercial passes, Reflect Orbital tilts the mirror away from Earth, reducing brightness significantly.
How high will EARENDIL-1 appear from Perth?
From 31.95°S on Australia's west coast, EARENDIL-1 can reach ~71° elevation on the best passes — nearly at the zenith. Passes rise in the NW and transit toward the NE, opposite to the direction seen from northern-hemisphere observers. Higher elevation passes give a longer viewing window and brighter appearance. Perth shares a similar latitude to Cape Town and Buenos Aires, so pass geometry is comparable.
When is the best time to see it from Perth?
April through October (southern hemisphere autumn/winter). Perth's Mediterranean climate delivers reliably clear summer evenings (November–March) with low humidity and minimal cloud. Winter (June–August) brings more frequent frontal cloud but still offers many clear nights. The Wheatbelt region east of the Darling Scarp (2 hours from the CBD) is among Australia's darkest accessible night skies. Passes during the southern winter are prime viewing time — both you and the mirror are in the right geometry for visibility.
Will the beam footprint hit Perth?
A 5km beam footprint could span the Perth CBD from Northbridge to South Perth, or trace the Swan River from Elizabeth Quay to the Narrows Bridge. A coastal pass could illuminate Cottesloe Beach, Scarborough, or Fremantle. Whether any specific location falls in the footprint depends on Reflect Orbital's commercial contracts and targeting decisions. The beam is steerable and 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 mid-2026 launch. 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 Perth than from northern cities?
From the Southern Hemisphere at 31.95°S, EARENDIL-1 rises in the NW and transits toward the NE — opposite to the direction seen from northern cities. This is because Perth is south of the equator, so sun-synchronous satellites approach from the polar direction opposite to northern observers. The pass geometry is effectively a mirror image of what London or New York observers see.
How does Perth's Indian Ocean coastline interact with the 5km beam?
Perth's western beaches run in a straight north-south line along the Indian Ocean. A 5km beam footprint could illuminate a stretch from Scarborough to Trigg simultaneously — or further south, cover Cottesloe and North Fremantle. The ocean's reflective surface would amplify the visual effect dramatically, with the beam spot visible from boats offshore or from anywhere on Rottnest Island (18km west). Perth's unique isolation means a pass here would be the only bright orbital reflection visible for over 2,000km in any direction, enhancing its commercial and visual distinctiveness.
What dark-sky locations near Perth 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 Perth in real time — including exact pass times, directions, and brightness predictions.
→ SATELLITES OVER PERTH — ORBITALNODES.AI