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With SpaceX's Starlink, Astronomers Fear They Are Losing the Fight To Preserve the Night Sky
Popular Mechanics ^ | June 4, 2019 | David Grossman

Posted on 06/05/2019 6:41:54 AM PDT by C19fan

This past month's launch of Starlink satellites was a moment long planned Elon Musk and SpaceX. Known as a satellite constellation, the company has sent 60 of a planned 1,2000 satellites into orbit. What they did not expect, though, was backlash from International Astronomical Union and International Dark Sky Association. The Starlink constellations, it turns out, could be threatening the study of the night sky.

The IAU has issued a statement saying it is "concerned" about satellite constellations and what they mean for the future of astronomy. "We do not yet understand the impact of thousands of these visible satellites scattered across the night sky and despite their good intentions, these satellite constellations may threaten both" nocturnal wildlife and astronomical research, the IAU says.

(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: astronomy; elonmusk; falcon9; falconheavy; satelites; science; spacex

1 posted on 06/05/2019 6:41:54 AM PDT by C19fan
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To: C19fan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEuMFJSZmpc


2 posted on 06/05/2019 6:47:56 AM PDT by butlerweave
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To: C19fan

Bunch of whiners. There is lots of Space Junk circling the earth.
Yet, they now chose to attack Musk. If they can’t tell the difference between
Satellites and stars, they should find another hobby.
The technology Musk is developing could provide internet access over the
entire Earth. Especially helpful to rural areas. A plus in my opinion.


3 posted on 06/05/2019 6:48:53 AM PDT by tennmountainman (Liberals Are Baby Killers)
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To: C19fan

It will mean you can make calls, have video meetings and play combat games from atop Everest, from your yacht in the middle of the Pacific, etc.

Probably in about 5 or 6 years.

And you can tell Comcast & AT&T to f*ck off.


4 posted on 06/05/2019 7:44:20 AM PDT by gaijin
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To: tennmountainman
They can tell the difference between stars and satellites. The problem is that for some astronomical studies they need to point telescopes at specific points in the sky for a long time. In the future, during that time about 10% or more there will be satellites whizzing by and blocking the view.

This will cause them to have to stare at those points longer and spend more time/money eliminating them from their analysis. Time on telescopes is already being rationed due to all of the different studies astronomers want to conduct.

5 posted on 06/05/2019 7:44:23 AM PDT by who_would_fardels_bear
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To: gaijin

Oh, wow, I can see the military will be a yuge customer:

Infantry could have a simple headset and have perfect commo, no more heavy radios.


6 posted on 06/05/2019 7:46:32 AM PDT by gaijin
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To: gaijin

I thin certain governments might be very unhappy if their subjects suddenly get an ability to access the Internet, unfiltered and uncensored by their government.

The US government, of course, will be able to tell Elon Musk to do anything they want him to do.


7 posted on 06/05/2019 7:50:57 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 ("Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." -- Voltaire)
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To: gaijin
It will mean I save a ton of money on paper and ink because of the many friends of mine that don't have internet access at home like I have.

I copy/paste and print a ton o'stuff but the videos I enjoy (Crouder, f'rinstance and almost NONE of my friends have ever heard him) can not be transferred so easily.

And don't give me that cel phone crap .... EVERYONE enjoys a movie theater and THAT'S what a 17" (plus) monitor is over a couple of inches square.

Cel technology tracks you everywhere but my PC just sits here and trys to block the CIA at every turn.

8 posted on 06/05/2019 9:08:48 AM PDT by knarf
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To: SunkenCiv

*ping*


9 posted on 06/05/2019 11:03:19 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Who will think of the gerbils ? Just say no to Buttgiggity !)
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To: gaijin

Continuous service to the more northern U.S. states and southern Canada in about 12 months, once about 800 nodes are placed in orbit.


10 posted on 06/05/2019 4:16:13 PM PDT by Ozark Tom
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To: Ozark Tom

https://imgur.com/a/j6c69pD


11 posted on 06/05/2019 4:47:20 PM PDT by Ozark Tom
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To: fieldmarshaldj; Moonman62
Bummer. Guess they'll have to sit on their butts complaining until someone with some gumption and some means builds observatories, which can be steered from computer desktops on Earth, on the Moon's "dark side". Thanks fieldmarshaldj.

12 posted on 06/05/2019 11:12:18 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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Doctor Fun

13 posted on 06/06/2019 1:25:32 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Now that the Starlink satellites are spread out and raised their orbits the complaints have died down. I think that aircraft are a bigger problem for astronomers.

Musk said it’s time for astronomers to start putting more telescopes in orbit.


14 posted on 06/06/2019 2:54:47 AM PDT by Moonman62 (Facts are racist.)
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To: Moonman62
Heh... but he's got at least two dogs in that hunt.

15 posted on 06/06/2019 12:14:52 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: Moonman62

Notice that the astronomerettes are completely ignorant about a subject that they’re supposed to know...


16 posted on 08/02/2019 12:09:09 PM PDT by R7 Rocket (Freee Helicopter Rides!!!1!!!11!1!!1!)
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