Astronomers are concerned about the potential formation of a man-made\n\u2018ring of Saturn\u2019 around the Earth as a result of mass satellite\nlaunches. This glowing belt is projected to come into being if plans by\nprivate companies to launch millions of data-centre satellites and tens\nof thousands of space mirrors are actually realised.<\/p>\n
The situation is considered risky for space observation and could\npermanently alter the appearance of the night sky.<\/p>\n
Professor of Astronautics at the University of Birmingham in England,\nHugh Lewis, explained that the main way to accommodate an enormous\nnumber of satellite constellations is to stack them in orbit above the\nboundary between day and night. This arrangement would create an\nartificial ring visible crossing the sky.<\/p>\n
The satellites could form a bright band illuminating the sky for\nseveral hours after sunset and before dawn. Its brightness is estimated\nto exceed that of stars and other planets, and it could even be visible\nfrom every region of the Earth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look up at night, everything will be in one very closely\npacked plane moving in the same direction,\u201d said Lewis. \u201cThe impact on\nthe night sky would be catastrophic.\u201d<\/p>\n
The brightness of the ring depends on the exact number of satellites\nin orbit. Researchers caution that space mirrors designed to reflect\nsunlight back to Earth, such as those being developed by Reflect\nOrbital, have the potential to be as bright as the planet Venus. As a\nresult, the accumulation of reflected light could trigger extremely\nintense illumination.<\/p>\n
Currently, around 14,000 satellites are operating in Earth\u2019s orbit.\nHowever, the expansion of mega-satellite constellations has grown\nrapidly in recent years. SpaceX, for instance, has filed an application\nwith the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to\noperate up to one million data-centre satellites. Meanwhile, Reflect\nOrbital plans to place around 50,000 space mirrors in orbit.<\/p>\n
Scientists remind that the total number of satellites globally should\nideally remain below 100,000 units so as not to damage astronomical\nactivity. Overly bright satellites risk creating streaks of light in\ntelescope images, disrupting deep scientific observation.<\/p>\n
Beyond interfering with telescopes, the increase in the number of\nobjects in space raises the risk of a build-up of space debris.\nCollisions between satellites are feared could trigger a chain reaction\nknown as Kessler Syndrome, in which debris from collisions would\nthreaten future space missions.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/astronomers-warn-of-threat-from-artificial-saturn-ring-created-by-satellites-1784605839", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }