What's Rising Above Mt Taranaki?

For years I've wondered if there was a "best" time and direction to see bright satellite flares. On Monday 22 June 2026, I decided to test a prediction. Based on the Sun's position below the horizon, I calculated that around 2½ hours after sunset, looking west above where the Sun had set, should give the best chance of seeing satellites suddenly brighten as they caught the last rays of sunlight. The result surprised even me. One after another, satellites appeared to rise above Mt Taranaki, with some becoming as bright as Jupiter before fading again as they moved into Earth's shadow. At the end of the video you'll also see a composite image captured by my second camera, revealing just how many satellites crossed the sky during the evening. 📅 Monday 22 June 2026 🕖 7:53 pm – 8:40 pm 📍 Midhurst, Taranaki, New Zealand ✨ Real sky • Real place • Real moment ✨ © Brendan Larsen Photography