Ignoring satellite companies such as Spacex Calls for astronomers to save the night sky

There is more than 12000 The active satellites that revolve around the Earth today, a growing character has doubled in less than three years. This last boom in the satellite industry was a major headache for astronomers, as bright satellites appear as lines in the telescope for the universe and mutilation of scenes in the sky of the night.

A new paper reveals that satellite towers are brighter than the border recommended by astronomers, with only one company that adheres to instructions. the paperIt appears in the Arxiv Preprint Server, compares the sizes of brightness allocated from the satellite constellations in the Earth’s orbit with the brightness limits set by the International Astronomical Union Center (Iau) to protect the dark and calm sky (CPS).

Almost all satellites are found to overcome the volume of brightness +7, and thus interfere with the notes of the universe. The most satellite belongs to the startup in Texas, with the Bluewalker constellation that exceeds the volume of brightness +2.

Keep our views of space

Due to reaching the most expensive space, the cost of launching satellites to orbit is at the lowest level ever. In response to the increasing number of satellites, Iau established its center in 2022 In an attempt to ensure that the satellite towers do not interfere with the study and enjoy the night sky.

Although there are no official regulations in place, CPS created recommendations for the maximum acceptable satellite satellite that revolves around 341 miles (550 km). Iau created a maximum amount of +7 for vocational astronomy and +6 size as an aesthetic reference so that it does not affect the audience’s ability to orgasm without satellite intervention.

The Starlink constellation of Spacex, which includes more than 8000 satellites currently in orbit, is a great concern for astronomers due to their size and brightness levels. Spacex works with Iau and other astronomy groups to alleviate satellite effects on astronomical notes after satellites classified a number of telescope images. Early versions of Starlink satellites have a brightness of about +3, but Spacex modifications have decreased this number to +5 or +6.

However, the paper is concerned that although the Minis Minis is four times larger than the new generation of Starlinks, the Gen 2 Mini satellites revolve around the Earth at a height of less than 279 miles (450 km). As a result, the average apparent brightness of the latest stars is greater despite the company’s mitigation efforts to reduce satellite reflection.

The worst worst

Spacex competitor, AST Spacemobile, is the worst perpetrator. The average volume of the company’s Bluewalker satellite +3.3, often is Most things excel in the night sky. Bluewalker satellites are proud of a 693 -foot range, which is the largest communications group published in the low Earth orbit. AST Spacemobile seeks to build a consisting consisting of 100 satellites.

While most companies violated the proposed guidelines, one company holds it. London -based OneWeb contains 652 satellites in orbit with an average clear size +7.85, and meet the average limit given its 745 miles (1200 km) above the Earth’s surface.

The IAU Center has only determined suggestive instructions until now, but he wants to expand its efforts to encourage governments and state officials to better regulate the prosperous industry. Until now, the center’s calls have been greatly ignored, indicating that the regulations should be in place if we want to preserve our views about the sky.