The Price of Progress

    

An array of radio telescopes in England called the SKA Observatory (SKAO, 2024)

     Radio Telescopes are crucial to understanding the universe and studying stars, planets, galaxies, and many other astronomical objects. Radio Telescopes are used to study naturally occurring radio lights from astronomical objects. The telescopes measure waves of light in the 1 millimeter range to the 10 meter range. Radio astronomers study what is referred to as the “invisible universe”. The waves taken by the telescope are turned into stings of numbers which are turned into pictures, each number in these strings refers to information about a specific point in space. Some huge breakthroughs have been made using radio astronomy such as the Cosmic microwave background radiation, the afterglow of the Big Bang. Radio astronomy also has benefits to everyday life, wireless WiFi was developed from our understanding of radio astronomy which lead to how our homes can have wireless internet. Although recent advances in satellite internet have created a very big problem for radio astronomers.

Starlink Satellites can be seen from the Earth reflecting light from the sun. (Rannard, 2024)

Recently, there has been news coverage reporting that Starlink satellites are blocking the view of radio telescopes. It is estimated that Starlink has 6,400 satellites in orbit, these satellites are used to provide internet that is four times faster than standard internet and allow remote places to have internet access as well. However, these satellites come at a cost. The radiation from distant planets, stars, and galaxies are emitting light on the electromagnetic spectrum and these waves are being distributed by satellites in orbit around Earth. This could potentially remove the ability to continue radio astronomy research from the surface of Earth. It is predicted but 2030 there will be 100,000 plus satellites in orbit around the Earth. This could also have implications on optical satellites causing more light pollution in the planets orbit, as the satellites already in orbit can be seen at night reflecting light. If something isn’t done with regulations, astronomy research done from the ground could cease to exist. 

Sources: 

One global observatory operating two telescopes on three sites. SKAO. (2024). https://www.skao.int/en/about-us/skao 

Pandey, N. (2024, September 18). Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites “blocking” view of the universe: Report. NDTV.com. https://www.ndtv.com/science/elon-musks-starlink-satellites-blocking-view-of-the-universe-report-6595679 

Rannard, G. (2024, September 18). Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites “blocking” view of the universe. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4dnr8zemgo.amp 

What is radio astronomy?. CSIRO. (2024, June 24). https://www.csiro.au/en/research/technology-space/astronomy-space/what-is-radio-astronomy 

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