Remix.run Logo
jmclnx 4 hours ago

True, but I think that could cause issues for astronomers. Instead if seeing small points of light they could see fast moving black spots obscuring stellar objects. In a way looking like eclipses.

mirekrusin 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Give it few years and they'll get LED colors and we'll see them in "I'm lovin it" formation.

_joel 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I'm sure they use image stacking to mitigate these issues.

ceejayoz 4 hours ago | parent [-]

They do, but they're also very openly frustrated already with the proliferation of large satellite constellations.

Visual isn't the only concern, either. https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/starlink-satellites-a-thr...

_joel 3 hours ago | parent [-]

They (SpaceX) added Geofencing to the arrays so that they switch off when over radio telescopes. How well that's working now (I notice that article is a couple of years old) is up for debate.

IAmBroom 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

So? Intermittent, short-termed blockages happen (jets and satellites already do this, they just aren't black).

Astronomers don't look first and then aim their cameras, and most interesting features (essentially all of them) require long exposures, which would make this problem a slight, one-time variance in brightness.