The second generation of Starlink satellites launched into orbit by SpaceX may not reflect as much sunlight as the old ones, but astronomers say they instead leak up to 32 times more accidental radio waves.
Starlink disrupts radio astronomy research!
In a paper published yesterday, a group of researchers reported that observations at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) LOFAR radio telescope found enormous amounts of unintended electromagnetic radiation (UEMR) leaking from Starlink V2 satellites – both mini and direct-to- cell capable variants.
"Compared to the faintest astrophysical sources we observe with LOFAR, the UEMR from Starlink satellites is 10 million times brighter," said ASTRON's Cees Bassa, lead author of the study.
"This difference is similar to the faintest stars visible to the naked eye and the brightness of the full moon," Bassa added. "As SpaceX launches about 40 second-generation Starlink satellites every week, this problem is getting worse."
