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Satellites to Obscure Hubble Telescope Views
3 Dec
Summary
- Over half a million satellites are projected by the end of the 2030s.
- New simulations indicate a severe impact on space-based astronomy.
- One in three Hubble images could be ruined by satellite trails.
The future of space-based astronomy is under serious threat due to ambitious satellite launch plans. Projections indicate that by the close of the 2030s, more than half a million satellites could be in orbit, drastically altering the celestial viewing landscape. This surge in orbital objects, driven by mega-constellations, is expected to severely impact the clarity of images captured by space telescopes.
New simulations suggest that the consequences for observatories like the Hubble Space Telescope could be dire. Scientists predict that as many as one in three images taken by Hubble might be ruined by streaks from passing satellites. Similar interference is expected for other major space observatories, including the Chinese Xuntian telescope.
While experts debate the exact number of future satellites, with some anticipating a significantly lower figure, the potential for widespread image contamination remains a critical concern. The pristine vacuum of space, once a clear window for astronomical observation, now faces unprecedented pollution from human-made objects, potentially blinding our view of the cosmos.
