Does a surplus of Earth-orbiting satellites threaten astronomy?

According to scientists from Edinburgh (UK), Washington (USA), British Columbia (Canada) and the European Space Agency (ESA), Too many satellites orbiting the earth can cause problems and threaten the future of astronomy. Therefore, they urge governments to establish clear regulations and rules that protect our planet’s orbit, oceans and atmosphere.

The rise of low-Earth-orbiting satellites, according to a study published in the scientific journal Nature Astronomy It has already begun to cause a kind of visual pollution for astronomers and other scientists observing space.. In addition, they argue that these satellites are a potential collision risk, they also fear that the satellites will collide with spacecraft.

In the study, scientists recommend that governments using these technologies create policies to develop an ethical and sustainable approach to space orbit. By 2022, more than eight thousand satellites have been recorded in a cyclical journey around the Earth. Studies show that the number may exceed 100,000 in the coming years..

“We rely on the insider orbital space environment as much as we work in it. Therefore, we must undermine professional astronomy, public stargazing and the cultural significance of the sky as well as the sustainability of commerce, civic and community life.” military life in space,” the researchers explain in their research.

satellites orbiting the earth

Researchers expect the number of satellites in orbit to increase significantly over the next few years. Even Rwanda plans to keep it, according to The Guardian. launch of two mega constellations with a total of 327,000 satellites.

The biggest problem is the lack of regulations to prevent the impact of satellites on sky observation. For this reason, Researchers believe that such equipment could affect the work of astronomers during space observations..

In addition to the risk of collisions with other objects in Earth’s orbit, satellites can cause a dangerous chain reaction of space collisions and create even more space junk around our planet. Therefore, astronomers are worried that this equipment will endanger space observation and in the future ccreating an “unprecedented global threat to nature”.

What are mega constellations?

• Also known as mega constellations Low-Earth-orbiting satellite constellations such as the Starlink initiativecan blind radio telescopes and cause various technical problems for astronomers.

“We really need to act together. It’s about recognizing that the problems we see in orbit are the same problems we see when we care about the land, the oceans, and the atmosphere. We have to go head-to-head and say: How can we solve this problem,” said one of the study’s authors and professor of astronomy at the University of Edinburgh. by Andy Lawrence.

Too many satellites in orbit

Scientists claim that the sky will become brighter with the increase of satellites, as well as the problem caused by possible collisions. The darkest part of the sky will be up to 7.5% brighter in the next decade, according to modeling based on data from the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile.

John Barentine, one of the study’s authors, explains that this could result in a reduction of up to 7.5% in stargazing by the Chilean observatory. The problem is that this will cost the Vera Rubin Observatory US$21.8 million (about 106 million at current prices), an amount used to support almost a year of research.

In another study published in the journal Nature, astronomer Aparna Venkatesan of the University of San Francisco explains that the high luminosity caused by satellites could also threaten humanity’s relationship with the sky. Research explains that The natural loss of the night sky is “an unprecedented global threat to nature and cultural heritage”..

No wonder many astronomers demand better regulation to limit the growth of Earth-orbiting satellite constellations.

The solution for too many satellites on Earth

According to Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations (UN) Office of Outer Space Affairs, it is necessary to find a compromise to solve this problem. He explains that while satellite constellations help provide internet access to people all over the world, they are still necessary to protect science and astronomy from possible consequences.

In 2020, the UN launched the Dark and Silent Sky project to create discussion on the topic and reduce potential problems caused by mega constellations. But some experts believe the best way to mitigate satellite impacts is in the private sector – some time ago SpaceX promised to reduce the optical illumination of Starlink satellites to help the cause.

“SpaceX has truly been an industry leader in working to find an optical coating that will reduce the visible brightness on the ground by about 50 times. They have also voluntarily signed a coordination agreement with the National Science Foundation,” said SpaceX vice president. Relationships of the University of Arizona (United States) Steward Observatory, Richard Green.