They are not generating light, only reflecting the light, from the altitude of the setting sun.
One can only “see” them for a brief time, and then they are in the shadow of the Earth.
The photo does distort the “individual spots” of the star link train, due to the movement of the satellite train. The longer segments, or lines, are in actuality, individual dots, when seen in real time.
Of course, I have also read many “sightings” describing multiple “lights in the sky”.
Groups of meteor Fragments, all falling in a line pattern, are documented and found in drawings world wide.
Due to information and space tracking, this was definitely ol’ Elon’s project, Starlink.
Here’s a well written article,if you’re interested, detailing the times and places to successfully view them, in the night sky.
Starlink satellites are visible from Earth, you just need to know when and where to look.
www.space.com