The lines that satellites leave in astronomical images spoil telescope observations of even the most remote locations. Photo/Astrotron/Space
TEXAS – Megaconstellation satellite low-Earth orbits such as SpaceX’s Starlink can interfere with radio astronomy observations. The lines that satellites leave in astronomical images spoil telescope observations of even the most remote locations.
Even internet satellite Starlink can interfere with observations of telescopes protected by radio silent zones. The onboard electronic hum that powers the Starlink satellite interferes with radio astronomy observations.
In a new study found the reflection of sunlight from these satellites can cause unwanted night sky brightness even in areas far from urban light pollution. The radio waves that these satellites use to communicate can also interfere with sensitive radio telescope observations.
But a new, unexpected source of scientific interference has now emerged thanks to a new study conducted by researchers using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope in the Netherlands. The disturbance is in the form of radiation from the onboard electronics in the Starlink satellite.
LOFAR is a network of more than 40 radio antennas spread across the Netherlands, Germany and several other European countries. The telescope is capable of detecting the longest wavelengths of radiation emitted by objects in the universe.
Includes radio frequencies similar to LOFAR accidentally emitted by Starlink satellites. In the new study, researchers describe the detection of this unwanted low-frequency radio hum coming from nearly 50 Starlink spacecraft.
“With LOFAR, we detected radiation between 110 and 188 MHz from 47 of the 68 observed satellites,” said Cees Bassa, astronomer at the Dutch Institute of Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), which manages the LOFAR series. 2023).
2023-07-08 05:03:10
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