Astronomers Rally to Stop Starlink and Other Satellite Constellations From Ruining the Sky
By George Dvorsky for Gizmodo
February 7. 2022 -- A new center
established by the International Astronomical Union is seeking to protect the
interests of astronomers as the number of satellites in Earth orbit continues
to climb.
The Center for the Protection of the
Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference, announced February
2, will be hosted by the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab)
and the Square
Kilometre Array Organization (SKAO). NOIRLab will concern itself with
optical astronomy, while SKAO will look into issues related to radio astronomy.
“The new Centre is an important step
towards ensuring that technological advances do not inadvertently impede our
study and enjoyment of the sky,” Debra Elmegreen, the president of IAU, said in
a statement. “I am confident that the Centre co-hosts can
facilitate global coordination and bring together the necessary expertise from
many sectors for this vital effort.”
The Centre will encourage satellite
providers to minimize light pollution and other forms of astronomical
interference, encourage governments and state officials to better regulate this
blooming industry, and support the global community of astronomers who are now
having to deal with problems caused by satellite interference.
Jessica West, a senior researcher on
space security at Project Ploughshares, a Canadian peace and security research
institute, said we’re reaching the point where our ability to observe space is
being significantly harmed.
“This is a big problem,” she wrote to me
in an email. “Astronomy is key to our exploration and use of space, deep space
navigation, planetary defence from asteroids, and our knowledge of the Earth,
Solar System, and Universe. And watching the night sky is core to who we are as
humans. Losing that is a loss for every single person around the world.”
The cost of launching rockets and
building satellites has never been lower. This is resulting in a mad rush to
claim prime real estate in Earth orbit, as it now represents a viable place to
do business. The private sector’s use of large fleets of interconnected
satellites to provide broadband internet to paying customers is currently the
most dominant example. Elon Musk has taken an early lead in this race for
space, as SpaceX has now launched more than 2,000 Starlink satellites, with plans to launch at
least 2,400 more. London-based OneWeb has launched hundreds of similar
satellites, while Jeff Bezos’s Project Kuiper and the European Union intend to do the same.
The problem with so many satellites up
there is that they’re messing with optical and radio observations. Long
exposures at optical wavelengths are particularly affected; research from last
month found a dramatic
increase in the number of images taken during the twilight hours that
contained streaks caused by Starlink satellites. That’s a problem for
astronomy, but also for our security; views of the horizon at dusk and dawn are
critical for detecting threatening near-Earth objects. At the same time, radio
interference produced by satellite data downlinks could make it difficult to
study the cosmic microwave background, for example.
Hence this coordinated response from
astronomers. The IAU is positioning the new Center as the “the leading voice
for astronomical matters that relate to the protection of the dark and quiet
sky from satellite constellations and to act as a hub of information and
resources to which any stakeholder group will be able to contribute and from
which they can draw in support of their own activities.”
Accordingly, the group will call upon
astronomers, satellite operators, government regulators, and the wider
community to get involved. Satellite companies will be asked to provide more
information about their space-based assets, such as coordinates and predicted
movements. The group will also help astronomers to deal with associated
problems, like providing software to remove visual artifacts from telescope
images. The Centre will also encourage an open forum to discuss voluntary measures,
such as reducing the reflectivity of satellites and for satellite companies to
use higher, less obtrusive orbits.
West agrees that solutions exist.
“It’s a not a question of satellites
versus astronomy, but rather how to mediate the different needs and interests
and values that coalesce in outer space, including those that are less
powerful,” she explained. “This requires open dialogue and coordinated and
collective action. The international astronomy community is showing us how to
do this. And the world is listening. This is a critical moment for space
governance.”
This is a good and necessary starting
point. Astronomers and regulators are currently behind in this struggle for
space, if that’s a fair way to describe it, with satellite operators, for the
most part, currently setting the rules. And by rules, I mean no rules—hence the
problem. The IAU’s new Center has very good intentions. Let’s hope the relevant
stakeholders are listening and willing to respond.
https://gizmodo.com/astronomers-rally-to-stop-starlink-and-other-satellite-1848492252
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