Astronomers are concerned about the increased brightness of SpaceX's Starlink satellites - they create more interference with astronomical observations than previous modifications. This is reported by the SpaceNews portal, citing a speech by astronomer from the University of Michigan Pat Seitzer.

Seitzer spoke about the increase in brightness of Starlink satellites during a panel discussion at the 240th meeting of the American Astronomical Society. He reported that earlier VisorSats satellites had a magnitude (a numerical characteristic of the brightness of an object) equal to 6.5. The astronomer noted that the new Starlink version 1.5 satellites are about half a magnitude brighter. At the same time, astronomers recommend satellite operators not to use devices with a brightness of more than 7 magnitudes in order to minimize interference with observations.

“We need to talk to SpaceX and find out their future plans,” the astronomer said.

Earlier, a team of scientists led by astronomer Przemek Mroz from the University of Warsaw found that the Starlink satellite constellation can degrade up to 20% of images in astronomical observations in the optical and infrared ranges under certain conditions.

bbabo.Net