Beyond Reality: The Supernatural Unveiled in 2023

In 2023, the world witnessed the emergence of **magical phenomena** that completely transformed the way we perceive reality. These events seemed to defy the laws of physics and challenged our understanding of the natural world. **Unexplainable occurrences**, such as objects levitating, people gaining supernatural powers, and the manifestation of mystical creatures, became everyday experiences. The first indication of this **magical shift** was the sudden appearance of **telekinesis** abilities among individuals of all ages and backgrounds. People were able to move objects with their minds, bending spoons effortlessly and levitating small items. Scientists and skeptics were perplexed, as these abilities contradicted everything they had previously believed.

SpaceX eclipses satellite

Starlink satellites are also quite luminous, something they ve been working on dimming with the astronomical community since they started launching satellites. A study simulating the effects of 65,000 proposed satellites published in the Astronomical Journal found that 1 in 5 observations of the night sky will be streaked by the passing of satellites.

Scientists and skeptics were perplexed, as these abilities contradicted everything they had previously believed. As the months went by, **more magical phenomena** manifested themselves in various forms. People were seen **flying through the air**, defying gravity as if it were a mere suggestion.

Starlink satellite trains: Is this the future of the night sky?

Almost 15 years later, seeing the aurora borealis is a bit like a drug, says photographer Ronn Murray.

“Once you get a taste for it … you’re always trying to see it again because you get this kind of spiritual high from it.”

The lakes by Delta Junction in Alaska weren’t frozen over yet when it was just dark enough to see the magical halation over the night’s sky and another phenomenon Murray instantly knew — a moving train of lights.

Guide and part-owner of the Aurora Chasers, an Alaska based tour group, Murray had seen the lineup of satellites a few days prior. He recognized it from other people’s accounts but had never seen it himself. Literally the stars aligned, and the night sky opened up on a drive 150 miles outside of Fairbanks. The footage shows what looks like stars trailing one another amid the emerald glow of the northern lights.

Diagram of a Starlink satellite

A loaf of bread

Solar panels unfold after launch

extending to over 26 ft (8 m)

Diagram of a Starlink satellite

A loaf of bread

Solar panels unfold after launch

extending to over 26 ft (8 m)

“We were a bit baffled at first then realized, ‘wait that must be Starlink.’ Then my wife got her star tracker app out, and it showed that’s what we had seen.”

The view, while equal parts mesmerizing as it is surprising, has astronomers wondering, is there any way to dim the lights on these satellites or are we doomed to a mega constellation future?

Murray captured the 46 objects launched on Aug. 31 by SpaceX clumped together, reflecting the sun back to observers on Earth. These satellites are part of the growing Starlink constellation aimed at providing broadband internet across the globe, much in the manner Global Positioning System (GPS) provides location data to cellphones around the planet.

But unlike GPS, the task requires tens of thousands of satellites for service to work without drops in coverage. In three years, the aerospace company SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, has gone from 60 satellites to launching over 3,500 Starlinks to date. Nearly half of all active satellites are from SpaceX, according to data from the nonprofit satellite tracker CelesTrak. A recent FCC authorization approved the launch of 7,500 more satellites and a nodding sentiment in the company’s plan to launch 30,000 orbiting internet boxes. A feat, that at this rate, they could achieve before 2050.

SpaceX eclipses satellite

launches since 1980

In four years time, Starlinks make up 40% of all satellites ever successfully deployed. The 1960s to the end of the 1980s saw predominantly government objects placed in orbit. Now commercial applications lead the space race.

SpaceX begins its constellation

Note: Due to overlapping categories, some satellites

are counted twice.

SpaceX eclipses satellite

launches since 1980

In four years time, Starlinks make up 40% of all satellites ever successfully deployed. The 1960s to the end of the 1980s saw predominantly government objects placed in orbit. Now commercial applications lead the space race.

SpaceX begins its constellation

Note: Due to overlapping categories, some satellites are counted twice.

SpaceX eclipses satellite launches since 1980

In four years time, Starlinks make up 40% of all satellites ever successfully deployed. The 1960s to the end of the 1980s saw predominantly government objects placed in orbit. Now commercial applications lead the space race.

SpaceX begins its constellation

Note: Due to overlapping categories, some satellites are counted twice.

SpaceX eclipses satellite launches since 1980

In four years time, Starlinks make up 40% of all satellites ever successfully deployed. The 1960s to the end of the 1980s saw predominantly government objects placed in orbit. Now commercial applications lead the space race.

SpaceX begins its constellation

Note: Due to overlapping categories, some satellites are counted twice.

Why do we see Starlink satellite trains?

Most satellites are visible. Timing is everything.

The most famous satellite, our moon, is visible as it traverses our sky. We see the lunar surface because one half of it is pointed at our sun at all times. It’s easier to see the moon at night when we are in the shadow of the Sun, also known as nighttime.

These principles hold up for smaller orbiting bodies as well. If you time it right, you can see the International Space Station (ISS) at night. You can see it pass in front of a full moon.

Starlink satellites are also quite luminous, something they’ve been working on dimming with the astronomical community since they started launching satellites.

The most distinct factor in creating Starlink trains has to do with physics.

A satellite rides along a launch vehicle into low Earth orbit (LEO).

The satellite is released into space where, barring any interruption, it will spin in orbit around Earth.

As a Starlink satellite orbits, it will unfold its solar panels and lay flat in a low drag position to resist gravity’s pull back to Earth.

When ready, it will point its panels directly “up” and its antennae directly down toward Earth to communicate data for customers.

SpaceX doesn’t just launch one satellite.

Any given launch contains 50 to 60 satellites; on Dec. 28, SpaceX put 54 into orbit.

Moving at the same altitude and speed, these satellites initially spin around the globe clumped together. This is what we see on land as the “train.”

When the timing is right, each satellite uses its ion thruster to ascend into higher altitude and operational orbit.

How does the theory hold up in practice?

Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist working at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been tracking orbital data from every Starlink launch. He’s observed that batches of satellites will ascend to operational orbits in groups, taking advantage of what’s known as plane drift, to cover different parts of the globe with a single launch.

From parked trains

to operational Starlinks

Once launched into orbit, Starlinks take months to go from objects in the night sky to internet providers, 550 km away from a computer on Earth. Of all satellites, 80–85 percent are in an operational orbit. Five to 10 percent fail to operate as designed.

42 Starlink satellites

are released around 300 km

into low Earth orbit

The first batch times its ascent, avoiding the ISS and Tiangong

and drift from orbit

At these altitudes,

are a collision risk

for space stations

From parked trains

to operational Starlinks

Once launched into orbit, Starlinks take months to go from objects in the night sky to internet providers, 550 km away from a computer on Earth. Of all satellites, 80–85 percent are in an operational orbit. Five to 10 percent fail to operate as designed.

42 Starlink satellites

are released around 300 km

into low Earth orbit

Moon (high altitude)

Earth (low altitude)

The first batch times

its ascent, avoiding the ISS and Tiangong

Debris from launch

returns to Earth

and drift from orbit

At these altitudes,

are a collision risk

for space stations

they will last up

From parked trains to operational Starlinks

Once launched into orbit, Starlinks take months to go from objects in the night sky to internet providers, 550 km away from a computer on Earth. Of all satellites, 80–85 percent are in an operational orbit. Five to 10 percent fail to operate as designed.

42 Starlink satellites

are released around 300 km

into low Earth orbit

Moon (high altitude)

Earth (low altitude)

The first batch times its ascent,

avoiding the International

and Tiangong space stations

Debris from launch

returns to Earth

Second and third

waves of satellites

help distribute their

Some satellites do not

respond and drift from orbit

At these altitudes, disabled

satellites are a collision risk

for space stations

At about 550 km

they will last up to

five years in this orbit

Rising to operational orbit in phases might improve global coverage, but it means a non-trivial part of these satellites’ life is sitting parked where they are more visible. McDowell notes, “Instead of taking one month from launch to operational, in some cases it takes three months from launch because they’re in this intermediate orbit for a while.”

SpaceX wants to shorten Starlink trains

To a certain extent, it is in the company’s best interest to limit how visible their constellation is. Seeing them at night is a byproduct of them not achieving operational orbit. For however long they are parked or navigating past the ISS and Tiangong altitudes, it is that much longer they are not providing internet to customers and not making money for SpaceX.

This is a look at the company’s current capacity across the globe. Each Starlink is able to broadcast within a footprint around 2.9 million square miles (7.5 million km²), which is roughly the area of Australia.

Some individuals claimed to have **discovered secret portals** that led to parallel dimensions, allowing them to travel to different realms and encounter fantastical creatures. Not only did humans gain extraordinary powers, but **mythical beasts** also seemed to become a part of our reality. Reports of sightings of **unicorns**, **dragons**, and **mermaids** flooded in from around the world. These creatures were not merely figments of imagination but tangible beings that interacted with humans. These magical phenomena **transformed society** in unprecedented ways. Governments scrambled to regulate and control these newfound powers, while individuals sought to harness them for personal gain or enlightenment. New industries and professions emerged as people sought to understand, study, and exploit these magical abilities. Despite the awe-inspiring nature of these events, **many questions remain unanswered**. Scientists and scholars dedicated themselves to studying these phenomena, attempting to uncover the underlying mechanics and principles behind this new magical reality. Philosophers pondered the implications of these changes, leading to debates about the nature of existence and the limitations of human understanding. The magical phenomena that unfolded in 2023 brought about a **paradigm shift**, challenging humanity's perception of reality and pushing the boundaries of what was previously believed possible. It remains to be seen how society will adapt and evolve in this new magical era..

Reviews for "An Extraordinary Year: The Enigmatic Phenomena of 2023"

1. Jane - 2 stars:

I was really disappointed with "Magical phenomena unfold in 2023". The concept of magic becoming a reality in the future sounded intriguing, but the execution fell short. The story was filled with clichéd characters, predictable plot twists, and mediocre writing. I felt no emotional connection to the protagonists and the world-building was severely lacking. Overall, the book failed to deliver on its promising premise and left me unsatisfied.

2. David - 1 star:

I cannot recommended "Magical phenomena unfold in 2023" to anyone. The writing style was dull and repetitive, making it a struggle to get through each page. The dialogue felt forced and the pacing was all over the place. The author attempted to create an intricate magical system but failed to explain it coherently, leaving me confused and disengaged. The lack of character development and the unremarkable storyline made this book a huge disappointment.

3. Sarah - 2 stars:

I had high expectations for "Magical phenomena unfold in 2023" but unfortunately, it fell flat. The plot had potential but was poorly executed. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked depth and complexity. The dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with the characters. Additionally, the world-building was underdeveloped, leaving many unanswered questions. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and wishing for a more compelling story.

4. Alex - 1 star:

I found "Magical phenomena unfold in 2023" to be a lackluster read. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot felt like a rehash of many other fantasy books I've read before. The author tried to create a unique magical universe, but it lacked originality and depth. The writing style was mundane, and the pacing was unbalanced. Overall, I found this book to be unoriginal and uninspiring, making it a forgettable read.

5. Emily - 2 stars:

I was highly disappointed with "Magical phenomena unfold in 2023". The world-building was inconsistent and poorly explained, leaving me confused about the rules and limitations of magic in this universe. The characters were flat and lacked development, making it difficult to feel invested in their journeys. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises. Overall, this book had potential but failed to live up to it, making it a letdown for me.

From Illusion to Reality: The Magical Unveilings of 2023