A prime ground-based observatory that scans the sky for exploding stars and dangerous near-Earth asteroids is struggling with disruptive light streaks from SpaceX's Starlink internet satellite constellation.
A prime ground-based observatory that scans the sky for exploding stars and dangerous near-Earth asteroids is struggling with disruptive light streaks from SpaceX's Starlink internet satellite constellation, a new study revealed.
Images capturing the twilight sky around sunrise and sunset are the most affected, the team behind the new study said in a statement. These observations are particularly important for spotting potentially dangerous asteroids coming from the direction of the sun, the scientists added. "We don't expect Starlink satellites to affect non-twilight images, but if the satellite constellation of other companies goes into higher orbits, this could cause problems for non-twilight observations," Przemek Mróz, the lead author of the study and former postdoctoral scholar at California Institute of Technology , which runs ZTF, said in the statement. Not everything is doom and gloom, however.
Astronomers have been concerned about the potential impact of Starlink satellites on new discoveries since the first batch reached orbit in May 2019. At first, many skywatchers were in awe at the spectacular string of pearls crossing the sky after the launch, but that awe was only shortlived.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SpaceX launches 49 Starlink internet satellites, lands rocket at seaIt was the 10th launch and landing for this particular Falcon 9 rocket first stage.
Read more »
SpaceX Satellites Have Invaded Astronomers' Views of The Sky, And It's Getting WorseWith the rapid expansion of commercial space, there is a growing number of satellites in orbit around our planet. Most of these are in low-Earth orbit, which is becoming increasingly crowded.
Read more »
SpaceX fires off 49 more Starlinks in rapid-fire launch sequenceIt was SpaceX's third orbital launch in just 12 days.
Read more »
SpaceX Veterans Aim To Shake Up Freight Rail With Electric, Robotic TrainsL.A.-based Parallel Systems, which just raised $50 million, thinks it can squeeze far more capacity out of existing rail lines.
Read more »
SpaceX Veterans Aim To Shake Up Freight Rail With Electric, Robotic TrainsThe Los Angeles company thinks the future of freight lies in autonomous battery-powered trains that squeeze far more capacity out of existing rail lines
Read more »
SpaceX Veterans Aim To Shake Up Freight Rail With Electric, Robotic TrainsL.A.-based Parallel Systems, which just raised $50 million, thinks it can squeeze far more capacity out of existing rail lines.
Read more »