Starlink Satellites Emit Bright Radio Waves Disrupting Cosmic Observations

In the Netherlands, a recent study published on September 18 in Astronomy & Astrophysics highlights the unintended consequences of SpaceX's Starlink satellites on radio astronomy. Researchers, led by Cees Bassa from the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, found that the latest generation of satellites emits radio waves that are over 30 times brighter than previous models. This increased brightness is due to their lower orbital altitude, which makes them appear significantly more luminous to ground-based telescopes. During observations conducted in July, the satellites were found to be approximately 10 million times brighter than the faintest astronomical sources detectable by the telescopes used. The study raises concerns about the impact of these emissions on the ability of astronomers to observe distant galaxies and stars, as the brightness of the satellites could obscure these dimmer objects. With SpaceX launching around 40 new satellites each week, the situation is expected to worsen, potentially hindering scientific research in radio astronomy. The researchers are also investigating emissions from satellites operated by other companies, indicating a broader issue within the satellite industry. Bassa and his team hope that their findings will encourage satellite developers to redesign their technology to minimize unintended radio emissions. This could help preserve the integrity of radio astronomy and ensure that important astronomical observations can continue without interference from satellite signals. The ongoing research aims to address the challenges posed by the increasing number of satellites in orbit.