BlueWalker 3 satellite outshines most stars in the night sky Premium

Data from sites around the world showed the BlueWalker 3 satellite is among the brightest objects in the sky. Mitigating against the brightness is difficult, and radio interference may not be sufficient. Strategies must be developed to protect existing and upcoming telescopes from the numerous satellites planned for launch. Constellations are important, but must be deployed with due consideration of their side effects.

An international team of scientists, including those from Imperial College London, have published a paper in Nature journal, detailing the impact of the prototype BlueWalker 3 satellite on astronomy.

The BlueWalker 3 is a prototype satellite, part of a satellite constellation planned by its owner AST SpaceMobile, intended to deliver mobile or broadband services anywhere in the world.

Observations of the BlueWalker 3 showed it was one of the brightest objects in the night sky, outshining all but the brightest stars, the researchers said.

Several companies around the world have envisaged such satellite constellations.

However, owing to their location closer to the earth location and relatively large size, their potential to disrupt night sky observations is high, which is why astronomers are raising concerns around these constellations, or groups of satellites.

“The night sky is a unique laboratory that allows scientists to conduct experiments that cannot be done in terrestrial laboratories.

“The pristine night sky is also an important part of humanity’s shared cultural heritage and should be protected for society at large and for future generations,” said Dave Clements, from the Department of Physics at Imperial.