{"id":50731,"date":"2024-08-22T06:21:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T09:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/?p=50731"},"modified":"2024-08-22T10:01:52","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T13:01:52","slug":"mt-a-astronomer-helps-sound-the-alarm-on-dangers-of-satellite-proliferation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/mt-a-astronomer-helps-sound-the-alarm-on-dangers-of-satellite-proliferation\/","title":{"rendered":"Mt A astronomer helps sound the alarm on dangers of satellite proliferation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dr. Catherine Lovekin in her office at Mount Allison University. Photo: Erica Butler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mount Allison University astronomer Catherine Lovekin recently wrote to the US Federal Communications Commission to add her voice to those concerned for the future of astronomy, as unregulated satellite networks continue to grow exponentially in near-Earth orbit, and wreak havoc with the ability of scientists to observe the night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though they provide internet connections and soon direct cell service in rural and remote places, the reflected light from the growing number of satellites interferes with observations, and the communications coverage puts an end to radio quiet zones, making radio astronomy nearly impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovekin says that since 2019, Elon Musk’s company Starlink has put about 7,000 satellites into orbit, and the company plans to reach over 40,000. Other companies have also proposed their own satellite constellations. \u201cIf they\u2019re all approved, and they all go through and do what they\u2019re planning,\u201d says Lovekin, that \u201cwould put the number of satellites in orbit over 500,000.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s CHMA\u2019s full interview with Lovekin, talking about the impact of unregulated satellite proliferation on astronomy, the problem of space debris, and the future of the night sky:<\/p>\n\n\n\n