SpaceX’s Starlink Satellites Are Negatively Impacting Astronomers: Here’s Why

Starlink will bring internet to the most far-flung parts of the world, but at what cost?

Starlink's goal to provide internet to as many people as possible, including those in very remote areas, is fantastic, and it's amazing that this advanced technology is being used for practical applications. However, as with any technological advancement comes its drawbacks, and sending thousands of Starlink satellites into orbit has created issues for astronomers studying important areas of space.

But why is this, and what is being done about it?

How Are Starlink Satellites Impacting Astronomers?

SpaceX's Starlink satellites aim to provide internet to those in rural locations worldwide, but it comes with a price.

These satellites are shot into low Earth orbit, and they can be seen by many cameras taking long exposure photos of the night sky, and in some cases, can even be seen by the naked eye. As of the writing of this article, there are currently over 2,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, and SpaceX has approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a total of 40,000, which is a goal it plans on completing by 2027.

Starlink satellites create white streaks clear as day in photos caught by amateur and professional night sky photographers. This is in addition to the issue of light pollution, making it more difficult for everyday people to see the beautiful night sky as it's meant to be seen.

For astronomers, these satellite streaks essentially photobomb important images taken of everything from near-Earth asteroids, wide shots of the Milky Way Galaxy, and supernovae deeper in space. While some of these images can be saved through post-processing, it is not the case for telescopes taking multi-year-long time-lapses of the galaxy.

For example, Vera C. Rubin Observatory's 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope in Chile, which is currently under construction, is planning on conducting a "10-year optical survey of the visible sky that will deliver a 500 petabyte set of images and data products that will address some of the most pressing questions about the structure and evolution of the universe and the objects in it."

It will take an image every night for ten years. In an Astronomy.com article, American astronomer, Sten Odenwald, explained that "it is now expected that up to 30 percent of its images will contain at least one Gen-2 satellite track."

Essentially, the satellites' low Earth orbit and their brightness in the night sky will result in several months of observations needing to be discarded simply due to the satellite streaks.

There are also issues regarding Starlink satellites colliding with other important satellites and spacecraft. Although SpaceX has stated the Gen-2 satellites have a collision-avoidance system, it has yet to be seen how well the system will work in an emergency situation. Sten Odenwald also expressed concern regarding satellites disrupting the view of the International Space Station. He explains, "20,000 of the Gen-2 satellites would be below the orbit of the International Space Station, thus greatly complicating the ability to find launch windows for the safe transit of cargo and crew missions."

What's Being Done to Remedy These Issues?

Image Credit: Find Starlink

Starlink is looking to be a profitable venture and already has approval to send over 40,000 satellites into orbit, so what can be done at this point?

If you're a photographer who loves shooting photos of the night sky and wants to avoid satellite streaks ruining your images, there are a few simple ways to track Starlink's satellites. Heavens-Above provides you with a daily forecast of when a satellite is launched and if it will cross your path. It provides you with a detailed chart of when a satellite is launched, how bright it will be at a certain time, its highest altitude, and more. This is a great resource to use before shooting long night sky exposures.

Astronomer Sten Odenwald created Satellite Streak Watcher to collect as many images as possible of Starlink satellites photobombing your images. The aim is to create a large archive from several observers around the globe having issues with satellite streaks to build awareness around the issue.

Every Technological Rose Has Its Thorns

There's no doubt that Starlink is an extremely important service for thousands of people living in rural locations. Starlink has even helped Ukraine stay online throughout its war with Russia. However, advancements in technology always seem to come with a price. For example, smartphones have transformed the way we connect and be more productive on the go while also contributing to procrastination, depression, and social isolation.

Examples of this can be found everywhere in the twenty-first century. All we can do is continue to adapt to new technology and fight for what matters most in our ever-changing world.