Elon Musk's Starlink satellites cause public puzzlement across Horsham

Starlink – a huge satellite system that aims to provide a high-speed internet service to even the most remote spots in the world – has been developed and constructed by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX which launches the satellites into orbit by batches.

And the satellites’ ‘string of pearls’ or ‘train’ appearance – a moving chain of bright dots in the sky – had many people in and around Horsham marvelling at the sight last night. But some were baffled as to what they were.

Many took to social media reporting sightings in Storrington, Pulborough, Kirdford, Brighton, Southwater and Steyning, as well as in Horsham. One person in Storrington said: “I thought I was seeing things.” And another in Kirdford: “Very bright, amazing to see.” Another said: “Freaked me out the first time I saw them.”