The Amulet by Michael McDowell is a Southern horror novel set in a small Alabama town. The story revolves around the cursed amulet, which brings nothing but misery to anyone who possesses it. McDowell seamlessly combines elements of Southern Gothic, supernatural horror, and family drama to create a chilling tale. The protagonist, Manse Everard, inherits the amulet from his aunt, Elinor Powell. She was known for her eccentricities and strange beliefs in supernatural forces. Manse, a skeptical businessman, is immediately intrigued by the amulet's intriguing history and its rumored powers.
SpaceX eclipses satellite
Starlink satellites are also quite luminous, something they ve been working on dimming with the astronomical community since they started launching satellites. A study simulating the effects of 65,000 proposed satellites published in the Astronomical Journal found that 1 in 5 observations of the night sky will be streaked by the passing of satellites.
Manse, a skeptical businessman, is immediately intrigued by the amulet's intriguing history and its rumored powers. However, as he delves deeper into his aunt's past, he learns that the amulet has caused tragedy throughout generations of his family. The town's vibrant and complex characters are caught in the amulet's sinister web.
Starlink satellite trains: Is this the future of the night sky?
Almost 15 years later, seeing the aurora borealis is a bit like a drug, says photographer Ronn Murray.
“Once you get a taste for it … you’re always trying to see it again because you get this kind of spiritual high from it.”
The lakes by Delta Junction in Alaska weren’t frozen over yet when it was just dark enough to see the magical halation over the night’s sky and another phenomenon Murray instantly knew — a moving train of lights.
Guide and part-owner of the Aurora Chasers, an Alaska based tour group, Murray had seen the lineup of satellites a few days prior. He recognized it from other people’s accounts but had never seen it himself. Literally the stars aligned, and the night sky opened up on a drive 150 miles outside of Fairbanks. The footage shows what looks like stars trailing one another amid the emerald glow of the northern lights.
Diagram of a Starlink satellite
A loaf of bread
Solar panels unfold after launch
extending to over 26 ft (8 m)
Diagram of a Starlink satellite
A loaf of bread
Solar panels unfold after launch
extending to over 26 ft (8 m)
“We were a bit baffled at first then realized, ‘wait that must be Starlink.’ Then my wife got her star tracker app out, and it showed that’s what we had seen.”
The view, while equal parts mesmerizing as it is surprising, has astronomers wondering, is there any way to dim the lights on these satellites or are we doomed to a mega constellation future?
Murray captured the 46 objects launched on Aug. 31 by SpaceX clumped together, reflecting the sun back to observers on Earth. These satellites are part of the growing Starlink constellation aimed at providing broadband internet across the globe, much in the manner Global Positioning System (GPS) provides location data to cellphones around the planet.
But unlike GPS, the task requires tens of thousands of satellites for service to work without drops in coverage. In three years, the aerospace company SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, has gone from 60 satellites to launching over 3,500 Starlinks to date. Nearly half of all active satellites are from SpaceX, according to data from the nonprofit satellite tracker CelesTrak. A recent FCC authorization approved the launch of 7,500 more satellites and a nodding sentiment in the company’s plan to launch 30,000 orbiting internet boxes. A feat, that at this rate, they could achieve before 2050.
Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Story continues below advertisement AdvertisementSpaceX eclipses satellite
launches since 1980
In four years time, Starlinks make up 40% of all satellites ever successfully deployed. The 1960s to the end of the 1980s saw predominantly government objects placed in orbit. Now commercial applications lead the space race.
SpaceX begins its constellation
Note: Due to overlapping categories, some satellites
are counted twice.
SpaceX eclipses satellite
launches since 1980
In four years time, Starlinks make up 40% of all satellites ever successfully deployed. The 1960s to the end of the 1980s saw predominantly government objects placed in orbit. Now commercial applications lead the space race.
SpaceX begins its constellation
Note: Due to overlapping categories, some satellites are counted twice.
SpaceX eclipses satellite launches since 1980
In four years time, Starlinks make up 40% of all satellites ever successfully deployed. The 1960s to the end of the 1980s saw predominantly government objects placed in orbit. Now commercial applications lead the space race.
SpaceX begins its constellation
Note: Due to overlapping categories, some satellites are counted twice.
SpaceX eclipses satellite launches since 1980
In four years time, Starlinks make up 40% of all satellites ever successfully deployed. The 1960s to the end of the 1980s saw predominantly government objects placed in orbit. Now commercial applications lead the space race.
SpaceX begins its constellation
Note: Due to overlapping categories, some satellites are counted twice.
Why do we see Starlink satellite trains?
Most satellites are visible. Timing is everything.
The most famous satellite, our moon, is visible as it traverses our sky. We see the lunar surface because one half of it is pointed at our sun at all times. It’s easier to see the moon at night when we are in the shadow of the Sun, also known as nighttime.
These principles hold up for smaller orbiting bodies as well. If you time it right, you can see the International Space Station (ISS) at night. You can see it pass in front of a full moon.
Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Story continues below advertisement AdvertisementStarlink satellites are also quite luminous, something they’ve been working on dimming with the astronomical community since they started launching satellites.
The most distinct factor in creating Starlink trains has to do with physics.
A satellite rides along a launch vehicle into low Earth orbit (LEO).
The satellite is released into space where, barring any interruption, it will spin in orbit around Earth.
As a Starlink satellite orbits, it will unfold its solar panels and lay flat in a low drag position to resist gravity’s pull back to Earth.
When ready, it will point its panels directly “up” and its antennae directly down toward Earth to communicate data for customers.
SpaceX doesn’t just launch one satellite.
Any given launch contains 50 to 60 satellites; on Dec. 28, SpaceX put 54 into orbit.
Moving at the same altitude and speed, these satellites initially spin around the globe clumped together. This is what we see on land as the “train.”
When the timing is right, each satellite uses its ion thruster to ascend into higher altitude and operational orbit.
Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Story continues below advertisement AdvertisementHow does the theory hold up in practice?
Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist working at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been tracking orbital data from every Starlink launch. He’s observed that batches of satellites will ascend to operational orbits in groups, taking advantage of what’s known as plane drift, to cover different parts of the globe with a single launch.
From parked trains
to operational Starlinks
Once launched into orbit, Starlinks take months to go from objects in the night sky to internet providers, 550 km away from a computer on Earth. Of all satellites, 80–85 percent are in an operational orbit. Five to 10 percent fail to operate as designed.
42 Starlink satellites
are released around 300 km
into low Earth orbit
The first batch times its ascent, avoiding the ISS and Tiangong
and drift from orbit
At these altitudes,
are a collision risk
for space stations
From parked trains
to operational Starlinks
Once launched into orbit, Starlinks take months to go from objects in the night sky to internet providers, 550 km away from a computer on Earth. Of all satellites, 80–85 percent are in an operational orbit. Five to 10 percent fail to operate as designed.
42 Starlink satellites
are released around 300 km
into low Earth orbit
Moon (high altitude)
Earth (low altitude)
The first batch times
its ascent, avoiding the ISS and Tiangong
Debris from launch
returns to Earth
and drift from orbit
At these altitudes,
are a collision risk
for space stations
they will last up
From parked trains to operational Starlinks
Once launched into orbit, Starlinks take months to go from objects in the night sky to internet providers, 550 km away from a computer on Earth. Of all satellites, 80–85 percent are in an operational orbit. Five to 10 percent fail to operate as designed.
42 Starlink satellites
are released around 300 km
into low Earth orbit
Moon (high altitude)
Earth (low altitude)
The first batch times its ascent,
avoiding the International
and Tiangong space stations
Debris from launch
returns to Earth
Second and third
waves of satellites
help distribute their
Some satellites do not
respond and drift from orbit
At these altitudes, disabled
satellites are a collision risk
for space stations
At about 550 km
they will last up to
five years in this orbit
Rising to operational orbit in phases might improve global coverage, but it means a non-trivial part of these satellites’ life is sitting parked where they are more visible. McDowell notes, “Instead of taking one month from launch to operational, in some cases it takes three months from launch because they’re in this intermediate orbit for a while.”
SpaceX wants to shorten Starlink trains
To a certain extent, it is in the company’s best interest to limit how visible their constellation is. Seeing them at night is a byproduct of them not achieving operational orbit. For however long they are parked or navigating past the ISS and Tiangong altitudes, it is that much longer they are not providing internet to customers and not making money for SpaceX.
This is a look at the company’s current capacity across the globe. Each Starlink is able to broadcast within a footprint around 2.9 million square miles (7.5 million km²), which is roughly the area of Australia.
From Manse's estranged wife, who becomes obsessed with the amulet's power, to the eccentric town librarian who remembers the amulet's dark legacy, each character adds a layer to the haunting atmosphere of the story. As the amulet's power grows stronger, so does the suspense. McDowell skillfully builds tension, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, wondering who will fall victim to the amulet's curse next. The line between reality and the supernatural blurs as the amulet's influence seeps into every aspect of the characters' lives. McDowell's prose captures the essence of the Deep South, painting a vivid picture of a town steeped in tradition and superstition. The settings, from the dilapidated Everard Mansion to the overgrown cemetery, contribute to the eerie atmosphere that permeates the novel. Overall, The Amulet is a haunting and riveting read that showcases Michael McDowell's talent for crafting compelling Southern Gothic horror. It explores the themes of family, fate, and the relentless pursuit of power. Readers will be captivated by the characters, the atmospheric setting, and the chilling story of the cursed amulet..
Reviews for "The Complex Relationships in "The Amulet" by Michael McDowell"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I couldn't get into "The Amulet" at all. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with a multitude of characters that were difficult to keep track of. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself skipping ahead in hopes that something interesting would happen. Sadly, it never did. The writing itself was also lackluster, lacking depth and emotion. Overall, this book was a huge disappointment for me.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Amulet" after hearing great things about Michael McDowell's other works, but unfortunately, this one fell flat for me. The plot promised an intriguing mystery, but it ended up being convoluted and dull. The characters felt underdeveloped and their actions often nonsensical. Additionally, the writing style didn't captivate me, lacking the lyrical prose I was expecting. While there were some interesting ideas sprinkled throughout, they were overshadowed by the book's overall lack of coherence and engagement.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "The Amulet" turned out to be a disappointing read for me. The plot had potential but quickly became repetitive and predictable. The characters lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. The book also relied on several clichés and tropes, which further hindered my enjoyment. I was hoping for a unique and atmospheric story, but instead, I found myself bored and uninvested. Overall, I think "The Amulet" failed to deliver on its initial promise, leaving me dissatisfied and unimpressed.
4. Mark - 1/5 stars - I found "The Amulet" to be an incredibly tedious and confusing read. The narrative jumped around too much, making it difficult to follow the storyline or connect with the characters. The book also dragged on unnecessarily, with pages upon pages devoted to mundane details that added nothing to the overall plot. Furthermore, the author's attempt at creating suspense fell flat, as the twists and turns felt forced and unoriginal. Overall, this book failed to engage me in any meaningful way, and I would not recommend it.