Mmastodon ScienceSpace Policy first seen 9 h ago, last 1 h ago, peak #3
Astronomers warn plan for 50,000 orbital mirrors would be catastrophic
Original: "'They're saying we want to launch 50,000 mirrors by 2035,' Benvenuti said. 'That would be catastrophic for astronomy, t
US regulators have granted approval to Reflect Orbital, a company planning to launch tens of thousands of orbiting mirrors that would reflect sunlight to Earth at night, marketed as 'sunlight as a service'. Astronomers are alarmed, with researcher Benvenuti warning the goal of 50,000 mirrors in orbit by 2035 would be catastrophic for astronomy by brightening the night sky and disrupting observations.
Why now: The FCC's approval of Reflect Orbital has reignited concern among astronomers about light pollution and the commercialisation of the night sky.
Rank over time, top of the chart is #1. 7 snapshots from 9 h ago to 1 h ago.
Evidence
- "'They're saying we want to launch 50,000 mirrors by 2035,' Benvenuti said. 'That would be catastrophic for astronomy, that is clear.'" https://www. cbc.ca/news/science/reflect-or bital-approval-fcc-9.7287535 # Astronomy # ReflectOrbital # SunlightAsAService # FCC # SpacePolicy · JohnBarentine@scicomm.xyz · 100
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