● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportHigh impact
Study warns against exceeding 100,000 satellites to protect astronomy
Key points
- Study finds 1.7 million satellites risk damaging astronomical observations.
- Current satellites exceed 14,000, dominating by SpaceX's Starlink.
- Limit proposed to 100,000 faint satellites for protection.
Study Findings
A study from the European Southern Observatory reveals that planned launches of over 1.7 million satellites could create a 'devastating' effect on astronomy by brightening the night sky. Researchers emphasize that limiting this number to 100,000 faint satellites would help safeguard astronomical visibility.
Increase in Satellites
Since 2019, the number of satellites in orbit has increased to over 14,000. SpaceX's Starlink significantly contributes to this total, with plans to add up to one million more satellites for various purposes, including global internet access and data centers.
Impact on Astronomy
Olivier Hainaut from ESO highlights the escalating threat to astronomers from bright satellite constellations, stating that the current proposals exceed what astronomy can endure. The study finds that many satellites could be visible at night, potentially outnumbering visible stars under optimal conditions.
Future Satellite Plans
Additional satellite projects are underway, such as E-Space's Cinnamon and China's CTC-1 and CTC-2. US start-up Reflect Orbital plans to launch large mirror-like satellites to illuminate areas on Earth at night, with a goal of reaching 50,000 satellites by 2035. These initiatives could further complicate the night sky's visibility.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
A study by the European Southern Observatory indicates that launching over 1.7 million satellites could severely impact astronomical observations. The research suggests limiting satellites to under 100,000 faint ones to preserve the visibility of the night sky.