Astronomers worry: SpaceX's satellite array can ruin the night sky

On Friday, SpaceX of Elon Musk successfully launched 60 satellites under Starlink, a project that provides global high-speed Internet with an orbiting satellite network. The benefits have not been seen, because still waiting for all 60 devices to work smoothly, there have been complaints about the harm of Starlink:

Astronomers are concerned when it is unclear how Starlink will affect human space observations.

Starlink will affect human space observation.

Up to 60 satellites at the end of last week were only a tiny fraction of the estimated 12,000 satellites, flying in Earth orbit with an altitude of about 550km to 1,200 above the sea. SpaceX is only 1 in 9 dream companies that provide Internet with satellite projects, they will contribute to obscure the sky, when the huge amount of satellites plus the waste layer of the Universe turn into a blanket covering around Earth.

' One of the Starlink satellite tragedies is that it will forever change the way humanity admires the night sky ', Ronald Drimmel's judgments from Italy's Astrophysical Observatory. ' Starlink, besides the other big satellites, will ruin the sky with anyone who wants to enjoy it .'

Right after Starlink's satellite launch, many amateur astronomers have taken aerial satellite photos.All 60 satellites tailed each other in orbit : they were surprised to find it much brighter than expected.

' We don't think it can be so bright and I didn't expect it to be so beautiful ,' amateur amateur astronomer Marco Langbroek said. 'The scene is both beautiful and amazing, but it is a bit strange to see a series of connected objects moving in the sky '.

Tesla's Starlink satellite set in orbit.

SpaceX kept the satellite's specs up until the time it was up, and after a memorable moment, it was known that each satellite was fitted with a large solar panel. They have two uses: one is to power the satellite, the other is to reflect the sun on Earth.

Just look up at the sky at night, most likely you will see a series of light spots stretching across the sky, wherever you are. I don't know if this is the plus or minus point of the satellite system that can provide high-speed Internet access to every corner of the world.

"It turns out that these satellites are very easy to see with the naked eye, and brighter than we thought ," said astrophysicist Darren Baskill from the University of Sussex. ' If the eyes are also visible, they will be extremely dazzling with the new light-sensitive telescopes of the new generation '.

The Big Essential Survey Telescope (LSST) is under construction, designed to capture the entire night sky to study celestial bodies. It's true that the effect of Starlink over the telescope is unclear, but LSST will inevitably encounter Starlink satellites to fix the image. This problem is not new in the world of those who like to watch the night sky, but the huge number of satellites of the Starlink project will cause certain difficulties.

The huge number of satellites of the Starlink project will cause certain difficulties.

In the middle of the dark night, the satellite would not make any light to reflect on the ground. But just after sunset and just before dawn, the giant satellite would reflect the light and anyone who looked up would see Elon Musk's "white teeth" smiling at them.

Another concern is in astronomy, which is the reception of radio signals from orbit to Earth and vice versa. The satellite will emit radio signals to communicate with the Earth, the ground station also uses radio signals to communicate again, not to mention the use of radio waves to study the Universe - the first photo of a black hole The universe is also 'taken' with that radio wave!

Elon Musk listens to these criticisms, and has used Twitter to answer the painful question. Initially, the billionaire argued that ISS International Space Station also existed in heaven! But after learning that he was wrong, Musk said SpaceX is seeking to apply ISS technology to its satellites to minimize unnecessary effects.

Musk added that Starlink's ultimate goal will bring more value to the satellite's influence on astronomy: by bringing Internet to 3.3 billion people who still do not have an Internet connection , he will get funding. to invest in Mars missions and to further places.

Starlink's ultimate goal will bring more value to satellite's influence on astronomy.

' I can help billions of needy people with great benefits ', Musk said. ' But still, we will make sure Starlink does not affect astronomical discoveries. We pay close attention to the benefits of science '.

Many people worry more, that the sky will forever change, from now until thousands of years. Satellite satellites are impressive, but a set of devices that reflect light continuously appears in the sky.

' With Starlink, we estimate that at least 100 satellites will appear in the sky at any time, no matter where it looks on Earth ,' Baskill said. ' Soon, those who are still lucky enough to have a clear view of the night sky will find their favorite space flooded with metal equipment, slowly spread out in orbit '.