2 stars brightening and fading in Virgo/Libra 25/04/2020

[NorthernLight]

Last night, 25/04/2020, 19:30ish NZ time 2 stars appeared at the border Virgo/Leo, separation similar to the belt stars in Orion, rapidly brightening and then fading over the course of ca. 2 minutes. They remained stationary throughout. One was yellowish, the other whitish. Before I found my camera it was over. Apparent magnitude similar to Canopus.

Did somebody see this? What could that have been?

PS: i opened the wine afterwards ;)

[gary]

Hi Max,

Most likely geosynchronous satellites close to the celestial equator.

I use to observe one regularly that would blink on and off like a lighthouse
on the celestial equator where it would be illuminated by sunlight even late
at night because of the high orbit.

[NorthernLight]

Hi Gary,

Yes that would make sense. Thanks for the reply!