{"id":30030,"date":"2023-01-13T19:21:25","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T19:21:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/13\/spacex-promises-to-avoid-ruining-our-night-sky-review-geek\/"},"modified":"2023-01-13T19:21:25","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T19:21:25","slug":"spacex-promises-to-avoid-ruining-our-night-sky-review-geek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/13\/spacex-promises-to-avoid-ruining-our-night-sky-review-geek\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX Promises to Avoid Ruining Our Night Sky \u2013 Review Geek"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nNews<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Small steps for Starlink, one giant leap for Astronomy. <\/p>\n

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George Nash Photography\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ever since SpaceX launched its first set of Starlink internet satellites<\/a> into the sky in 2019, Astronomers and enthusiasts alike have worried it\u2019ll ruin the night sky. Thankfully, SpaceX has now entered into an agreement with\u00a0The National Science Foundation (NSF) to reduce the effects of satellites on astronomy.<\/p>\n

For those unfamiliar, Elon Musk\u2019s company SpaceX runs Starlink, a collection of internet-beaming satellites in low Earth orbit. And while it delivers high-speed internet to areas that typically wouldn\u2019t have it, there are a lot of satellites floating around the sky.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve seen several examples<\/a> of what happens to a telescope view when a satellite goes through it. You can find astronomers complaining all over Twitter about the situation and those \u201csatellite trains\u201d crossing the horizon. Thankfully, this latest news from the NSF confirms the two are working on a solution.<\/p>\n

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“For astronomers, Elon Musk\u2019s SpaceX Starlink is comparible to someone sneaking into your livingroom with a jar of fireflies and releasing them during the finale of Game of Thrones.” \u2013 Dunlap Professor and Tap host Dr. Mike Reid gives us his space news roundup. pic.twitter.com\/9sXxI9rfPT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dunlap Institute (@DunlapInstitute) November 23, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Several reports suggest that the\u00a0FCC allowed SpaceX to launch roughly 7,500 Starlink satellites into orbit. However, the company aims to release at least 30,000, if not more, and the FCC told SpaceX to coordinate with the NSF before it grants permission for the next license.<\/p>\n

Well, that\u2019s precisely what just happened. In agreement with the US National Science Foundation, SpaceX promised to continue working on ways to make Starlink satellites invisible to the naked eye, make them no brighter than the 7th magnitude, and reduce their effect on astronomy instruments.<\/p>\n

Additionally,\u00a0SpaceX compromised on a stance to require observatories to turn off lasers when Starlink passes by and will no longer need those optic systems to be disabled. It\u2019s worth noting that SpaceX said it\u2019ll work to eliminate the impact of Starlink\u00a0\u201cto the extent practicable,\u201d so we\u2019ll have to wait and see.<\/p>\n

And finally, in a joint statement, the two said, \u201cthe NSF and SpaceX continue to explore methods to further protect ground-based astronomy.\u201d So, it looks like Starlink will continue launching satellites into the sky, expanding internet access to more regions while trying to keep the night sky beautiful and clear.<\/p>\n

This is good news for astronomers, and if you want to see some stars, get a good telescope<\/a>\u00a0and enjoy the view.<\/p>\n

via The Register<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n