Posted on 01/17/2019 4:07:04 AM PST by vannrox
Putting aside the fact that advertising is already ubiquitous, the notion of adding a significant source of light pollution to the night sky has astronomers professional and amateur alike fuming.
The startup is called StartRocket, and it hopes to use an array of tiny cubesats to create a programmable display in the night sky.
Orbiting at a low-Earth altitude of 400-500 kilometres (248-310 miles), according to the startups website, these satellites would each bear a collapsible sail that is capable of reflecting the light of the Sun to form a single pixel.
Because it would be dependent on the Sun, it would only be able to display at dawn and dusk.
All up, the billboard would have an area of 50 square kilometres (19 square miles). This Orbital Display, as it is being called, could then be programmed to display logos to people around the globe, for 6-minute intervals, around 3 or 4 times a day theoretically, at least.
We are ruled by brands and events, project leader Vlad Sitnikov told Futurism.
The Super Bowl, Coca Cola, Brexit, the Olympics, Mercedes, FIFA, Supreme and the Mexican wall. The economy is the blood system of society. Entertainment and advertising are at its heart.
We will live in space, and humankind will start delivering its culture to space. The more professional and experienced pioneers will make it better for everyone.
But, as the response indicates, better is a matter of opinion, mainly because of the light pollution the Orbital Display would generate.
Its a threat to the ability to do astronomical research from the ground, astronomer John Barentine of the International Dark Sky Association told Astronomy.com. Every one of those moving blips of light in the night sky is something that can interfere with our ability to collect photons from astronomical sources.
In the short term, the system would increase the number of satellites in space, which in turn increases the risk of collision.
But it is worth noting that, while space junk is a pretty big problem, the Orbital Display wouldnt add to it long-term. At the chosen altitude, the satellites orbit would decay in a year or so, hopefully burning up harmlessly on reentry as they returned to Earth.
But the light pollution issue isnt a small one. And were not sure Sitnokovs suggestion to do peeing or making your coffee while the display is on is the most helpful one, given how time-sensitive astronomical observations can be.
For no reason at all, heres what it looks like when a satellite goes through Hubbles field of view whilst you are trying to image something in the distant solar system. pic.twitter.com/eLWR1ncdqx
Alex Parker (@Alex_Parker) January 25, 2018
The company isnt the only one trying to send wacky things into low-Earth orbit. Take Chinas weird artificial Moon to serve as a replacement for streetlights, one of the strangest energy-saving measures we think weve ever heard.
Or a Japanese proposal to launch satellites that will rain down artificial meteor showers, so you dont have to sit around waiting for a real one.
Nevertheless, none have been solidified at this stage not these other proposals, nor the Orbital Display.
The system has yet to be tested (the startup has plans to do so as early as this year), has yet to be funded, and has yet to be approved according to local and international laws and regulations.
The team says that they have managed to overcome the technical challenges associated with flying an array of satellites in formation, and the drag introduced by the sails; however, that remains to be seen.
As to whether it can meet space regulations well, those are significantly outdated, so theres a good chance that it could.
Lets keep our fingers crossed that the company is vastly exaggerating its technical prowess.
I've been hesitant to join clubs and since my wife has Alzheimer's late nights / over nights and travel to remote sites are out of the question. My friend in L-O-L also has the same scope I have, in fact his picture is on the Obsession site under customer comments, he got his almost the same time I got mine.
I have used binoculars often and still carry them with me when going out, I'm often amazed at what you can see with them and recommend them as a low cost way to enter the field.
I can't remember the name of the company that said not to use their scope anywhere near salt water because they said the coatings would corrode or something like that. I was thinking of buying one of their larger models - about 7.5 inch Mak when I saw the note.
I finally found the scope, it was a seven inch Questar. They may have corrected the issue as I havent seen the warning on their site.
I don’t think they make them and more, and, that 7in might cost as much as your 18! I thought about buying a Questar 4 inch along time ago. Glad I didn’t.
Is your buddy in SPAC? Someone with that much equipment is a serious observer!
I AM sorry to hear about your wife. Hope you have a strong support group to help you.
Make sure you look into the Urban Astronomy Club on the AL website. It will help you find things to look for. Double Stars may also be a way to go.
*ping*
Thanks fieldmarshaldj. Every few years there's some kind of nitwit idea like this out of Russia, and the fact is, they never go through with any of them, mainly because they don't have the technical ability to carry it out, or the economic ability for that matter.
Didn’t say they had to hit it, just that it’s going to be shot at.
What goes up must come down, including the sign and aimed projectiles.
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