In response to the threat of satellite mega-constellations, the IAU has launched the Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference. Observatories are seeing their work threatened by satellite interference, which is now a bigger problem than urban light pollution. Soon there will be over 5,000 satellites above the horizon at any given time, as well as plenty of light-reflecting metal orbiting Earth. SpaceX and OneWeb are among those sending thousands of satellites into space. In response to concerns, SpaceX has attempted to reduce satellite glow.
Key Takeaways:
- The Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky will be run by both the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Both of these institutions are working on building the worlds largest radio astronomy array.
- We are living in a time period where megaconstellations are a bigger than to astronomy than light pollution.
“Both of these organizations are dealing firsthand with the fallout of the megaconstellation boom.”
Read more: https://www.space.com/iau-center-protect-astronomy-megaconstellation-threat
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