Satellites hampering radio astronomy — Science Information, October 5, 1974
Up to now, the satellites and probes introduced by means of NASA and others effectively have shyed away from struggle with the radio frequency bands reserved for radio astronomy. However now there’s hassle.
The trespassers are two primary U.S. satellites introduced in Would possibly…. When both of the satellites is on or close to the road between an observer and what he desires to check, the paintings is rendered tricky or inconceivable… radio astronomers might be able to reside with one or two such interlopers. Twenty or 100 could be a disaster for radio astronomy.
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The struggle between astronomers and satellites has best gotten worse. Personal firms have introduced 1000’s of latest satellites since 2019 by myself, some distance outstripping what astronomers idea could be catastrophic within the ’70s (SN: 3/12/20). As of September, there are upwards of 10,000 lively satellites in Earth’s orbit, and non-public firms proceed to release extra (SN: 4/8/23, p. 5).
Astronomers are frightened that disaster is forthcoming, partly as a result of many fashionable satellites emit much more radiation than up to now idea (SN: 9/30/24). Optical telescopes also are now affected: The satellites depart brilliant streaks throughout pictures of the evening sky, making the photographs tricky to investigate. Efforts to mitigate the issue by means of editing the satellites or their orbits have had blended effects (SN: 10/9/21 & 10/23/21, p. 14).