JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Many people around the Tri-Cities region noticed strange lights in the sky Friday night.

Around 7:30 p.m., News Channel 11 received several photos showing a string of lights stretching across the sky.

  • (Photo: Jennifer Burns)
  • (Photo: Jennifer Burns)
  • (Photo: Josh Whitamore)
  • (Photo: Jennifer Way/Sarah Suiter)
  • (Photo: Jennifer Way/Sarah Suiter)
  • (Photo: Scott Leonard)
  • (Photo: Scott Leonard)
  • (Photo: Scott Leonard)

So what were these lights? Storm Team 11 meteorologist Tyler Allender says they were most likely SpaceX Starlink satellites.

SpaceX did launch a rocket Thursday evening that deployed 48 Starlink satellites into orbit.

Starlink satellites provide broadband internet access. In fact, SpaceX has partnered with Wise County to bring space-based broadband to school children who may live in locations with little to no internet access.

If you took photos of the satellites, send them to pix@wjhl.com.