Research team detects evidence of radiation from SpaceX’s Starlink satellite may interfere with radio telescope astronomical observations.
Experts have long warned that super constellations of low Earth orbit satellites like SpaceX’s Starlink could affect astronomy. ƝNew research published 5/7 in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics reveal a Another source of interference is radiation from the Starlink satellite electronics.
The electronics of the Starlink satellite emit radiation that disrupts astronomical observations.
The electronic equipment of the Starlink satellite emits radiation which disturbs astronomical observations. (Photo: STARN/ Danielle Futts)
Researchers use Low Frequency Cluster Telescope (LOFAR) is a network of more than 40 radio antennas spread over the Netherlands, Germany and several other European countries. The telescope can detect the longest wavelengths of radiation emitted by objects in the universe. However, the Starlink satellite also transmits the same radio frequency as the LOAAR target designed for detection. In the new study, an international team of experts recorded low-frequency radio signals from nearly 50 Strlink satellites.
“With LOFAR, we detect radiation between 110 and 188 MHz of 47 of the 68 observation satellites”, Pees Bassa, a researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), which runs LOƑAR, said. “This frequency range covers approximately 150.05 – 153 MHzpused for radio astronomy, according to the International Telecommunication Union”.
This discovery is of great interest for next-generation large-scale radio observatories. Square Kilometer Cluster Observatory (SKAO) under construction in two remote locations in Australia and South Africa. To maximize the telescope’s ability to pick up the weakest signal, authorities often choose a location with no radio signals, such as cell towers or televisions. However, the constellation of Starlink satellites can fly freely above these locations and disturb the observation results due to its low altitude operation. The team also modeled the effects of radiation from more satellites. The simulation shows that the unexpected effect will become more pronounced with the size of the constellation.
SpaceX is collaborating with literary researchers in search of a solution that would allow the constellation of satellites to exist without negatively impacting astronomy. ЅpaceX has launched more than 4,000 Ѕtarlink satellites, according to astrophysicist Jonɑthan McDowell. The company is authorized to deploy 12,000 broadband communications satellites and has requested the launch of another 30,000 Starlink satellites.
Article source: VnExpress
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A team of researchers has found evidence that radiation from SpaceX’s Starlink satellite can disrupt astronomical observations from the radio telescope.
