Musk’s Starlink satellites are increasing, scientists warn: We see less and less of the sky

Radio waves from Elon Musk’s growing network of satellites are interfering with astrophysical research, Dutch researchers claim, as reported by the BBC on Wednesday.

The new generation of Starlink satellites, which provide high-speed internet worldwide, interferes with radio telescopes more than earlier versions, researchers say.

Thousands of satellites in orbit “dazzle” radio telescopes and may interfere with astronomical research, according to the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON).

SpaceX, which owns Starlink, did not respond to BBC News’ request for comment.

Satellites provide broadband Internet around the world, often in remote locations, including challenging environments such as Ukraine and Yemen.

The BBC writes that they are also used to connect remote areas of the United Kingdom to high-speed internet. In 2022, tests have shown that Starlink can deliver internet speeds four times higher than average.

But astronomers say it comes at a price.

“Every time more of them are launched with these emission levels, we see less and less of the sky,” Professor Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON, told BBC News.

“We are trying to observe things like jets emitted from black holes at the center of galaxies. We are also studying some of the earliest galaxies, millions and millions of light-years away, as well as exoplanets,” she said in the same area. which are affected by satellite radiation.

ASTRON says that the interference of the second generation of satellites, or V2, is as much as 32 times greater than that of the first generation.