IT WAS eyes to the sky last night as residents saw several bright lights formed in a straight line. 

The more than 20 white spots in the sky were not shooting stars or aliens landing, but Elon Musk’s other project Starlink. 

Starlink has about 5,000 satellites in space around the globe and the technology is being used as part of a UK Government trial to connect rural homes and isolated areas to better internet service. 

The satellite internet constellation, operated by SpaceX, beams a broadband signal down to earth, with Cunard and P&O Cruises just two of the customers using it to improve their Wi-Fi. 

The cruise lines, both part of the Carnival group, said connectivity and bandwidth will be boosted across their fleets under a deal with Starlink.

Starlink is due to be available in public spaces and cabins on Cunard ships Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth by the end of the year. 

The line’s newest ship, Queen Anne, will launch with the service in May 2024. 

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said in November: “High-speed broadband beamed to earth from space could be the answer to the connectivity issues suffered by people in premises stuck in the digital slow lane. 

“Ensuring everyone can get a quality internet connection is crucial to our levelling up plans and these trials aim to find a solution to the prohibitively high cost of rolling out cables to far-flung locations.”