2024-09-22 08:00:01 :
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are causing serious interference for astronomers around the world. Scientists from the Netherlands, specifically the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), report that the growing network of Starlink satellites is interfering with radio waves used for important space research. Designed to provide high-speed internet to remote areas around the world, the satellites are blocking the signals that allow astronomers to observe deep space objects, including black holes, exoplanets, and galaxies millions of light years away.
Impact on astronomical research
Professor Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON, said that the interference from the second generation of Starlink satellites (V2) is much stronger than that of earlier versions. She stressed that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by these satellites is 32 times stronger than that detected by previous models, making it increasingly difficult for scientists to collect important data.
The satellites, which currently orbit about 550 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, generate a lot of noise in the radio spectrum, preventing radio telescopes from capturing weak signals from space. This unintended interference threatens the ability to explore and study distant cosmic phenomena.
Scientists urge SpaceX to take action
Currently, there are more than 6,400 Starlink satellites in orbit, and the number is expected to exceed 100,000 by 2030. This rapid growth has caused concern among astronomers. Cees Bassa, the lead author of a study on the impact of Starlink, likened the satellite radiation to the brightness of a full moon, which greatly exceeds the dim stars that astronomers want to observe. Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society, stressed the urgency of addressing the problem, calling on SpaceX to take immediate action.
Astronomers say simple measures, such as shielding satellite batteries or improving designs to reduce radiation emissions, could go a long way toward mitigating interference. Without such measures, they warn, ground-based astronomy could face severe limitations, making it harder to study the universe.
Professor Dempsey pointed out that if this situation is not resolved, it will pose an existential threat to astronomical research. Scientists believe that as the largest satellite provider, SpaceX can set a precedent for responsible space operations.
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