Burn Posted September 18 Posted September 18 (edited) Radio waves from Elon Musk's growing network of satellites are blocking scientists' ability to peer into the universe, according to researchers in the Netherlands. The new generation of Starlink satellites, which provide fast internet around the world, are interfering more with radio telescopes than earlier versions, they say. The thousands of orbiting satellites are "blinding" radio telescopes and may be hindering astronomical research, according to Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON). The satellites provide broadband internet around the world, often to remote places, including challenging environments like Ukraine and Yemen. They are also used to connect remote areas of the UK to fast internet. In 2022 tests showed that Starlink could deliver internet speeds four times faster than the average. But astronomers say this comes at a cost. "Every time more of these are launched with these kinds of emission levels, we see less and less of the sky," Professor Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON, told BBC News. "We're trying to look at things like the jets, which are emitted from black holes in the centre of galaxies. We also look at some of the earliest galaxies, millions and millions of light years away, as well as exoplanets," she said, highlighting the areas the satellite radiation is affecting. "This is actually threatening the entirety of ground based astronomy in every wavelength and in different ways. If it continues, without the sort of mitigation to make these satellites quiet, then it does become an existential threat for the kinds of astronomy we do," Prof Dempsey added. But without action, "very soon the only constellations we will see will be human-made," she added. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4dnr8zemgo Edited September 18 by Burn 1
oshyms Posted September 18 Posted September 18 neoliberalism has allowed men like this to become more powerful than actual countries and states. nothing is shocking anymore. its extremely woeful how dystopian the world has become in the last 20 years. capitalism and the americanisation of the developed world has ruined us. articles like this just fuel misanthropy and hopelessness, because we all know nothing will change 2
BYoncé Posted September 18 Posted September 18 This is so sad, between not being able to see out into the universe and being stuck on this planet under the bombardment of low earth orbit debris, it's like our own hubris has smothered our species ambition to reach out into the universe.
Recommended Posts