The race to connect the world via the satellite internet has created an unexpected victim: our view of the cosmos. A new study shows that large satellite constellations, including Starlink, Bluebird and OneWeb, are significantly brighter than international standards, which may disturb both professional astronomy and the simple pleasure of the star gas.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has determined clear guidelines for satellite brightness to protect astronomical research and to maintain the natural beauty of the night sky. These standards placed two critical threshold values; Satellites should not exceed strength 7 to avoid that professional telescopes are disturbing, and they should remain stupid than size 6 to prevent the steering from the aesthetic appreciation of the night sky.
Image of the night sky via Paranal, Chile on July 21, 2007, recorded by ESO astronomes Yuri Beletsky. (Credit: ESO/y. Beletsky)
However, new research analysis of the brightness statistics for thousands of satellites from important constellations are a disturbing picture. The study examined Starlink, Bluebird, China's Networks and Guowang networks and OneWeb spaceships, whereby almost all of these satellites exceed the limit of size 7 that protects professional research. Most also exceed the reference point of size 6, where they start disturbing a casual star.
To put this in the right perspective, the size scale looks backwards. The lower numbers indicate lighter objects. The weakest stars that are visible to the mere eye under dark sky are around size 6, while the lightest stars are size 1 or lower. When satellites exceed these brightness limits, you will be able to contain visible stripes that contaminate astronomical images and distract from the natural night sky.
Starlink satellites are waiting for the use (loan: SpaceX)
Since companies use thousands of satellites for global internet reporting, the problem only gets worse. The Starlink constellation of SpaceX alone started over 5,000 satellites with plans for tens of thousands more. China's projects Qianfan and Guowang as well as the planned Kuiper constellation of Amazon could give thousands of other bright objects to our sky.
Professional astronomers already feel the effects. Soil -based telescopes, which have delivered most of our knowledge of the universe, now routinely grasp satellite paths that can ruin observations. These stripes force astronomers to reject data, reduce the efficiency of expensive research programs and possibly limit discoveries over distant galaxies, exoplanets and cosmic phenomena.
The problem goes beyond professional astronomy. Amateur astronomers and casual Stargaz reports of increasingly frustration, since bright satellites exceed their field of vision during the observations. This light pollution from space contributes to the existing challenges of urban light pollution and continues to separate people from the natural night sky.
Starlink satellite over Alemania visible (loan: dktue)
The IAU center to protect the dark and calm sky against satellite constellations Interference has worked with satellite operators to develop solutions. Some companies have experimented with darker coatings, various satellite orientations and operational procedures to reduce brightness. However, this new research suggests that these measures are not sufficient to meet the defined standards.
The results underline the urgent need for stronger international cooperation between satellite operators, astronomers and regulatory authorities in order to obtain both scientific skills and the cultural heritage of the night sky for future generations.
Source: Satellite constellations cross the limits of the limits of acceptable brightness specified by the IAU
