Steady motion is the strongest first clue
A light that crosses the sky smoothly without repeating navigation strobes fits a satellite much better than a typical aircraft. The distinction is strongest when the object keeps a constant speed and direction for tens of seconds or minutes, then fades rather than turning.
Fading can be orbital geometry
Satellites shine by reflected sunlight. They can brighten dramatically and then disappear within seconds when they enter Earth shadow, even though there is no cloud. That abrupt fade is often more useful than apparent color when separating a satellite from an aircraft.
Cloud and visibility still matter
Thin cloud can make a point look larger, blur its edges or cause brightness changes. Sky Event Radar checks modeled cloud cover and visibility for the selected hour so a seemingly strange brightness change is not interpreted without local atmospheric context.
Exact identification needs orbit propagation
A fresh CelesTrak catalog proves that orbital data are current, but catalog membership alone cannot prove which object crossed one observer location. The checker therefore labels satellite pattern evidence separately from exact-pass evidence instead of manufacturing a satellite name.
Verify it with data
Use the Sky Event Radar checker with the actual location and time. The result can compare the observation pattern with modeled weather, current aircraft when applicable, NASA/JPL large-fireball records, NOAA aurora context, launch timing and local sky geometry. Missing feeds remain explicitly unknown.
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