Emily Goran, age 12,  of Bridgeport; Conn '

What makes the satellites shine in the sky?

Moon watchers sometimes see a manmade satellite bright as a star. The satellite shines for the same reason the moon shines. It reflects the glory of the sun from its surface. And, like the moon, there are times when the satellite does not shine at all. At such times, we do not see it.

Whether the moon or the satellites shine or not, depends upon their position. They shine when they can catch the rays of the sun. If they pass overhead in the middle of the night, no sunshine falls upon them. If they pass over‑head at high noon, the sky is so bright with sunlight that their reflected sunshine is out dazzled. At neither times can we see them.