New satellites are messing up our night sky

[profdant139]

To me, dark skies are one of the main benefits of boondocking in remote territory -- it's a lot of work to get there, but the stars are astonishing.

So this article is depressing -- apparently, Elon Musk's new sat network is unusually reflective:

Article

I can probably edit out the "sat trails" from my star photos, but I am not happy.

[DrewE]

Horsedoc wrote:
How does one determine a star from a satellite if the satellite in is stationary orbit?

Geostationary orbit simply means the satellite orbits at the same angular speed as the earth rotates, not that it's stationary relative to the stars. The stars do not keep their same positions in the sky (as viewed from the earth), I suppose with one notable exception in the north sky.

[Horsedoc]

How does one determine a star from a satellite if the satellite in is stationary orbit?

[profdant139]

I am all in favor of cheaper faster internet access, which these sats will provide. But couldn't they have painted them with flat black spray paint??

[Reisender]

Meh. More benefits than not. 1950 is behind us.

[winniman]

According to this article, they are planning to launch 42,000 of them in the next decade. Its going to get pretty busy up there. As a matter of fact, they will launch one for you personally if you pony up a cool million.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/14/21043229/spacex-starlink-satellite-mega-constellation-concerns-astronomy-space-traffic

[smarty]

the article states that once these satellites reach optimal orbit they are barely visible

[Iraqvet05]

There are probably a ton more satellites you don't see but I'm on the other end of this spectrum. I enjoy seeing the International Space Station fly over, or tracking aircraft near me with my ADS-B receiver then going out at night to see if I can find them in the sky. But then again, I live in a large metro area and I'm used to see man made things in the sky constantly.

[Lwiddis]

Be prepared. New satellites won’t stop arriving.

[BarabooBob]

Those of us that appreciate a beautiful night sky without all of the light pollution should be upset by all of the **** that is being sent into space. If you have never actually seen an unobstructed view of the night sky, you should go to central Idaho and see it for yourself.

[agesilaus]

Astromers are apoplectic, and that includes the radio observatories