Explore Google Earth deeper, and you may uncover astonishing surprises. From desolate islands in the ocean to intriguing landscapes near your hometown, the platform is a treasure trove of sights.

In a fascinating instance, online detectives stumbled upon a striking image of a B-2 stealth bomber captured mid-flight over Missouri, looking smeared due to its rapid movement, while the farm fields below remain in crisp detail.

A Phantom Discovery in North Texas

But that’s just the beginning! Zoom over the serene woodlands of rural North Texas, and you’ll find a mystery that’s sparking curiosity: a satellite, eerily appearing five times in different colors across the landscape of a remote wildlife refuge, located about 60 miles north of Dallas.

Satellites orbiting Earth are fascinating marvels, soaring up to 40 times higher than the B-2 and zipping around at speeds up to 30 times greater. With over 9,300 active satellites now in orbit, alongside thousands of pieces of space debris, compared to just 19 operational B-2s, the satellite world is indeed bustling!

Unveiling the Spacecraft's Identity

The intriguing Google Earth satellite sighting was shared by a user on Reddit last week. Although its exact identity remains a mystery, its design bears a striking resemblance to the SpaceX Starlink V2 Mini, featuring solar panels spanning around 100 feet. Given the 7,000 Starlink satellites currently in space—outnumbering all other constellations combined—it's quite plausible that this is a Starlink.

According to Google Earth data, the image was captured on November 30, 2024, by a high-resolution Pleiades observation satellite from Airbus. Another Reddit participant speculated that it could also be a Chinese Earth-imaging satellite named Ziyuan 3-02, which was operating nearby at the time.

Why This Capture is Groundbreaking

Regardless of the satellite's exact identity, this image is groundbreaking for several reasons. First, despite the multitude of satellites in orbit, getting a real-time glimpse of one, rather than artist renderings, is incredibly rare.

While SpaceX has shared images of Starlink satellites packed together in launch mode, well-defined views of them actively operating in the cosmos are significantly fewer.

As more commercial companies deploy imaging satellites, the ability to capture such views is expanding, providing valuable insights that can aid military and corporate espionage.

Additionally, this Google Earth shot showcases the astonishing speed of satellites. To avoid re-entering the atmosphere, a satellite in low-Earth orbit must travel at over 17,000 mph (27,000 km/h). While the B-2’s speed caused a smear in its earlier image, this satellite’s velocity has created a vivid, multi-colored representation.

The satellite is displayed in five distinct hues, thanks to the Pleiades satellites capturing images across different spectral bands. The lower left shows the satellite in near-infrared, ascending through red, blue, and green, and concluding with a sharp panchromatic image.

Typically, these images are taken in quick succession and compiled to create a lifelike representation of what the human eye perceives. However, capturing a target moving at nearly five miles per second poses unique challenges!