Even spacing plus one track
Many evenly spaced points following the same great-circle-like track strongly fit a satellite deployment train. Fading together near the same part of the sky is another useful clue.
Independent motion means look elsewhere
Aircraft formations can hold spacing, but strobes, turns and changing relative positions are common clues. Lanterns drift with wind, usually have warmer colors and do not trace a precise orbital-looking line.
Do not use a current map for an old sighting
A live satellite or aircraft view is only evidence for the same time window. Sky Event Radar marks live-only sources unavailable for historical checks rather than pretending the present explains the past.
Record direction
Approximate compass direction and elevation can later be compared with orbital tracks or aircraft positions. Even southwest toward northeast, high overhead is more useful than across the sky.
Verification sources
Use NASA/JPL CNEOS, CelesTrak, ADSB.lol, NOAA SWPC and Launch Library 2 according to their coverage and time window. Sky Event Radar keeps missing evidence explicit.