Astronomers Concerned by the Extreme Brightness of New Communications Satellite

The new BlueWalker 3 satellite launched by AST SpaceMobile in 2022 is now one of the brightest objects in the night sky according to astronomers.

Its brightness reached magnitude 0.4, brighter than Saturn and among the top 15 brightest things in the sky.

This contributes to worsening light pollution that interferes with observations.

Its oversized antenna that enables cell phone connectivity from space is larger than guidelines from the International Astronomical Union.

Radio astronomy facilities like the upcoming Square Kilometer Array Observatory are also threatened by interference from new satellites transmitting cell signals from orbit.

Astronomers argue impact assessments should be required before companies launch large constellations of satellites to ensure sustainable use of space.

#shorts #sky #satellites #telecommunication satellite #magnitude

👋 Feeling the vibes?

Keep the good energy going by checking out my Amazon affiliate link for some cool finds! 🛍️

If not, consider contributing to my caffeine supply at Buy Me a Coffee ☕️.

Your clicks = cosmic support for more awesome content! 🚀🌈