ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES SPOIL THE SKY

 The impact of satellites on astronomy has been a topic of interest particularly regarding the case of BlueWalker 3. While BlueWalker 3 a satellite launched by SpaceX is not a star or a planet it does shine brightly in the night sky. Unlike Starlink its counterpart, BlueWalker 3 is larger. Features an impressive eight meter telecommunications dish that reflects sunlight back to Earth once operational.

When positioned in orbits this artificial satellite exhibits an apparent magnitude of +0.4 surpassing the brightness of many stars and even exceeding limits set by the International Astronomical Union. However under darker skies its brightness reduces to the degree and becomes barely visible to the naked eye. To better understand this phenomenon global observational campaigns have been initiated.

Astronomers who rely on ground based observations face challenges due to artificial satellites like BlueWalker 3. Satellites passing through their field of view often disrupt long exposure images, for observing faint celestial bodies. An included image captures this issue with lines representing multiple satellites interrupting a long exposure shot taken over an Australian desert.

Regulations are needed to address these challenges and ensure that artificial satellites coexist harmoniously with research.

We must prioritize the implementation of rules that evaluate how every satellite sent into space affects our planet and the space surroundings. This is crucial to avoid the risk of losing the beauty of our night sky because of growth, in satellite luminosity.

Credit; Joshua Rozells.