'Leaking' Starlink Satellites Are Hindering Astronomy More Than Ever, Experts Warn
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- Sep 20, 2024
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Elon Musk's Starlink satellites are causing serious issues for astronomers a new study has revealed. The research, carried out by astronomers at the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) in the Netherlands, shows that the latest generation of Starlink satellites are emitting unintended radio waves that are disrupting ground-based radio telescopes’ view of the universe.
The issue lies in the second-generation Starlink satellites V2 mini, that are bigger than the previous generation and use more powerful electronics. Scientists say the are sending out radio signals up to 32 times stronger than those from the earlier versions. These signals cover a broader range of frequencies, making it even harder for scientists to observe faint and distant cosmic objects.
SpaceX Starlink satellites seen traveling over Hiroshima, Japan 😳 Credit: @dfuji1 pic.twitter.com/R77Hs8a8TQ — Curiosity (@MAstronomers) February 12, 2023
Cees Bassa, the lead author of the study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, explained the scale of the problem. Bassa said that these emissions are up to 10 million times brighter than some of the faintest astrophysical sources that scientists try to observe. This brightness is similar to comparing the faintest stars visible to the naked eye with the brightness of the full moon.
This problem is only getting worse as SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, continues to launch dozens of new satellites each week. The unintended emissions from these satellites may even exceed international limits for interference, which could have serious implications for future radio astronomy.
These disruptions are a major concern for astronomers because they make it difficult to study the universe. If the situation continues, the sky could become so cluttered with satellite signals that scientists will struggle to see anything beyond them.
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