Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes Staff
D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Political Blogs.
Starlink’s Growing Network Blocks Astronomers’ View of the Universe
Researchers from the Netherlands are raising alarms about how the expanding network of Starlink satellites, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is increasingly interfering with radio telescopes used for astronomical research. The second generation Starlink satellites, designed to provide fast broadband internet globally, are emitting radio waves that are obstructing scientists' ability to observe distant galaxies, black holes, and exoplanets. According to ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, these new satellites are emitting 32 times more radiation than the earlier versions, causing a significant “blinding” effect on radio telescopes.
With over 6,400 Starlink satellites currently in orbit, SpaceX has far outpaced its competitors, but the unintended electromagnetic radiation they emit is becoming a growing issue for scientists. Prof. Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON, emphasized that every new satellite further diminishes their ability to peer into the depths of space. These emissions far exceed industry regulations, and the problem is only expected to worsen as SpaceX continues to launch around 40 new satellites every week.
The Urgent Need for Regulation to Protect Astronomy
As the number of satellites in orbit is projected to surpass 100,000 by 2030, astronomers are calling for urgent regulatory action. The unintended radiation from satellites disrupts critical observations made with radio telescopes, such as the LOFAR telescope in the Netherlands. Lead researcher Cees Bassa described the interference as being "like comparing the brightness of the full moon to the faintest stars visible to the naked eye.” This interference is threatening the future of ground based astronomy.
While SpaceX addressed concerns about the first generation of satellites, the V2 models have proven to be more powerful, exacerbating the issue. Scientists are advocating for stricter regulations on satellite emissions and for SpaceX to set a standard in reducing space pollution. Simple fixes, such as shielding satellite batteries, could mitigate the problem. Without prompt action, astronomers warn, human made satellite constellations may soon overshadow natural celestial observations, compromising decades of scientific progress.
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