Darkened SpaceX Satellites Can Still Disrupt Astronomy, New Research Suggests
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Launch of SpaceX Starlink satellites on November 24, 2020. (Image: SpaceX)
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SpaceX’s attempt to reduce the reflectivity of Starlink satellites is working, but not to the degree required by astronomers.
Starlink satellites with an anti-reflective coating are half as bright as the standard version, according to research published in The Astrophysical Journal. It’s an improvement, but still not good enough, according to the team, led by astronomer Takashi Horiuchi from the National Astronomical Observatory in Japan. These “DarkSats,” as they’re called, also continue to cause problems at other wavelengths of light.
The trail of a Starlink satellite (the line from upper right to lower left) captured by the Murikabushi Telescope on April 10, 2020. (Credit: NAOJ)
TOKYO (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan PR) Observations conducted by the Murikabushi Telescope of Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory confirmed that dark coating can reduce satellite reflectivity by half.
There are concerns that numerous artificial satellites in orbit could impair astronomical observations, but these findings may help alleviate such conditions.
Today’s growing demand for space-based services has spawned a wave of satellite constellation projects which operate numerous artificial satellites in orbit. Since these satellites can shine by reflecting sunlight, the astronomy community has raised concerns about their potential impact on astronomical observations.