Space.com
July 6, 2023
Hum from onboard electronics that power SpaceX’s internet-beaming Starlink satellites may disturb radio astronomy observations, a new study has found.
Experts have long warned about how astronomy is being impacted by megaconstellations of low Earth orbit satellites such as SpaceX‘s Starlink. The streaks those satellites leave in astronomical images mar observations of telescopes even in the most remote locations. The reflection of sunlight from these satellites might lead to an unwanted brightening of the night sky even in areas far away from urban light pollution. And the radio waves these satellites use to carry out their communications could hamper the observations of sensitive radio telescopes.