Strange lights in the sky over Dorset baffled a resident who wondered: 'Are we alone?'

A chain of moving bright lights was spotted in the clear night sky by a Chickerell resident who said he watched them for a good five minutes with the naked eye, moving quickly heading from west to east across Weymouth Bay.

He counted 20 of the lights, moving in the same direction with wide gaps between them.

"It was really strange, just something I could not explain," the spotter said.

But anyone who sees the lights and thinks that aliens are about to land on the Jurassic Coast – fear not!

A likely explanation can be found at the door of engineer and technology entrepreneur Elon Musk.

His Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) project has launched multiple satellites into orbit as part of its Starlink network to provide accessible internet to people around the globe, especially in rural areas where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable.

A total of 60 satellites were launched early in January, boosting the Starlink 'train' of satellites to more than 100. It is understood more will be sent up this year.

Some astronomers have raised concerns that the bright objects will interfere with stargazing.

Sightings of strange lights linked to the satellites have been made all over the UK over the past few months.

Amid 'UFO sightings' around Christmas, the East Anglian Astrophysical Research Organisation attempted to calm fears by tweeting that the lights were actually Starlink satellites.

Jason Williams, Director of the East Anglian Astrophysical Research Organisation told the Echo today: "Once the Starlink network is complete SpaceX will have launched more satellites into space than have ever been launched in the last 60 years.

"When looking up into the sky just after sunset or before sunrise you will notice a number of bright spots moving across the sky these show up as the Starlink satellites reflect light from the sun many hundreds of kilometres above us.

"Scientists and astronomers alike are already voicing their concerns that these new swarms of satellites could obscure the view into space for a number of important research projects including our observations of asteroids whose trajectories could pose a threat to earth.

"The advantages of Elon’s project are clear to see especially in areas of the globe where internet reception is poor but should this be in balance with preserving our natural environment and the stark beauty of the universe?"

The Chickerell resident, who does not want to be identified, said he discovered the lights he saw early on Sunday evening were probably linked to the Starlink programme after searching on the internet.

"I was gutted when I found out what they really were and we weren't going to be abducted by aliens, " the man joked.

He added: "Science did have the answer after all.

"It was fascinating to watch though. The night sky was very clear when I saw them on Sunday so I was lucky.

"They are quite hard to spot but if the conditions are right you can see them with the naked eye.

"If people want to look out for them there are satellite trackers online which give information on where you can see them."

Dorset Echo:

Dorset Echo:

SpaceX third launch of Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida earlier this month Pictures: SpaceX

A spokesman for SpaceX said: "Starlink satellite flight operations take place in three phases: orbit raise, onstation service, and deorbit. After deployment, over the course of one to four months, the satellites use their onboard thrusters to raise from an altitude of 290km to 550km. During this phase of flight the satellites are closely clustered and their solar arrays are in a special low-drag configuration, making them appear more visible from the ground.

"Once the satellites reach their operational altitude of 550km and begin onstation service, their orientation changes and the satellites become significantly less visible from the ground."