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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.