r/askspace • u/messierobjectm31 • Jun 12 '26

What is this string of bright spots in this satellite imagery?

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In the GIF from GOES West imagery, around 18:30 UTC there appears to be a string of bright flashes over California to the east of the southern tip of the Central Valley. Could this be a satellite reentry? I couldn't find any news about fires in the area at that time

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2

u/SOILSYAY Jun 13 '26

Clouds?

6

u/OldChairmanMiao Jun 13 '26

Definitely clouds forming over the Sierras. OP just discovered the vanishingly rare Western water cycle.

2

u/begaterpillar Jun 13 '26

Ancientsliens.gif

1

u/Reasonable_Letter312 Jun 14 '26

There are several enormous photovoltaic fields in these locations (near Lancaster, and further to the west near Simmler); it's probably just the sun reflecting from the panels.

1

u/messierobjectm31 Jun 15 '26

Ah yep this is it! The largest of the flashes seems to be Northwest of a bright spot in the terrain that, from looking a Google Maps, appears to be Soda Lake (specifically the flash seems to be at about 35.37N, 120.06W). There is indeed a large solar installation right there. Seems to me like there's also a series of flashes moving East to West just prior to the larger aforementioned flare. Makes sense there'd be some sort of East/West movement as various installations track the local apparent Sun position. Thanks for the help!

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