EARENDIL-1 Passes
Over Seattle
Predicted pass geometry, viewing conditions, and beam footprint data for Seattle when EARENDIL-1 — the first commercial orbital mirror — launches in mid-2026. From 47.6°N in the Pacific Northwest, EARENDIL-1 reaches up to ~49° peak elevation. Seattle's unique geography — wedged between Puget Sound (west) and Lake Washington (east) with Mount Rainier dominating the southern horizon — creates some of the most visually distinctive satellite-viewing backdrops of any US city. Passes rise in the SW and transit toward the NE.
What to Expect in Seattle
What EARENDIL-1 Will Look Like from Seattle
From Seattle, 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 downtown. The silhouette of Mount Rainier to the south, Mount Baker to the north, and the Olympic Mountains to the west provide some of the most visually distinctive backdrops of any US city for watching an orbital mirror pass. At 47.6°N, Seattle sits at a similar latitude to Paris and Vienna.
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 Seattle at Launch
OrbitalNodes.ai will provide real-time pass predictions for Seattle 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 — Seattle
How bright will EARENDIL-1 appear from Seattle?
At peak overhead passes, EARENDIL-1 is designed to reach magnitude ~−4 — comparable to Venus at maximum brightness. Seattle's high latitude (47.6°N) produces peak elevations around 49°, lower than mid-latitude cities, which means slightly reduced apparent brightness due to greater atmospheric path length. However, the mirror is still easily visible from the Space Needle observation deck, Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill, or any elevated location. Between commercial illumination passes, Reflect Orbital tilts the mirror away from Earth, reducing brightness significantly.
How high will EARENDIL-1 appear from Seattle?
From 47.6°N in the Pacific Northwest, EARENDIL-1 can reach ~49° elevation on the best passes. Passes rise in the SW and transit toward the NE — the standard direction for northern-hemisphere observers. Seattle's high latitude is comparable to Paris, Vienna, and Budapest. Higher-latitude cities have lower peak mirror elevations but correspondingly longer viewing windows per pass as the satellite tracks closer to the horizon.
When is the best time to see it from Seattle?
July through September is Seattle's reliably dry season — clear, stable weather with low humidity. October through May brings frequent Pacific frontal cloud and rain, though clear spells between systems are not uncommon. Winter offers occasional exceptional clarity after frontal passages. Olympic and Rainier National Parks offer dark-sky destinations within 2 hours drive.
Will the beam footprint hit Seattle?
A 5km beam footprint could span from the Space Needle to Capitol Hill and onto the International District in a single pass — covering Seattle's densest urban core. A pass over Puget Sound could illuminate the waterfront from Pike Place Market to West Seattle with the Sound's reflective surface amplifying the visual effect. A beam targeting Lake Union would cover the floating-home district and adjacent South Lake Union tech campus. 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 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 Seattle than from other cities?
From the Northern Hemisphere at 47.6°N, EARENDIL-1 rises in the SW and transits toward the NE — the standard direction for northern observers of sun-synchronous satellites. Southern Hemisphere observers in Sydney, Melbourne, or Cape Town see the mirror image of this pass. Seattle's high latitude means peak elevations are lower than mid-latitude cities — the mirror stays closer to the horizon throughout passes, producing longer viewing windows but fainter apparent brightness.
How do Seattle's mountains and waterways interact with the 5km beam?
Seattle sits on a narrow isthmus between Puget Sound (west) and Lake Washington (east), with Mount Rainier (14,411 ft) dominating the southern horizon, Mount Baker visible to the north, and the Olympic Mountains to the west across Puget Sound. A 5km beam footprint could span from the Space Needle through South Lake Union and onto Capitol Hill — covering Seattle's tech corridor and densest residential neighborhoods simultaneously. Alternatively, a beam over Puget Sound could illuminate the waterfront from Pike Place to West Seattle with the Sound providing a dramatic reflective backdrop. A beam targeting Lake Union would light up the floating-home district. Mount Rainier's presence on the southern horizon provides unique viewing imagery for passes tracking north.
What dark-sky locations near Seattle 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 Seattle in real time — including exact pass times, directions, and brightness predictions.
→ SATELLITES OVER SEATTLE — ORBITALNODES.AI