|
Yes those were Starlink, I have been monitoring them since May. I have had several sub exposures ruined by the infernal things. And, it will get worse. It won't be just 12,000 of them. He plans on launching 40,000 in the end. And; there are three other companies planning similar venture. Seeing Elon as a god is misguided. A savy business man certainly but even one such as his can make a crucial error of judgement. Right now there are around 5600 satellites in orbit, every now and then a collision avoidance must be undertaken. This will happen every day with that amount of satellites in orbit. People have done PHD's on this subject and those experts all agree; at some point we are going back to the dark ages with that many possible collisions.
Besides, Elon did not invent those rockets, his team of engineers did that. It is an error to think it is his idea.
In the following years, the amount of satellite trails in images with be so high, that effectively ground based imaging will be near impossible. People doing research imaging will be prevented from doing any real faint long integration imaging simply because of the amount of satellite trails in a 5 minute exposure. I'll be one of them as I help a couple of guys in the States doing research.
Whilst Musk has been seen as a bit of a visionary in the past, word in the professional astronomy field has questioned this somwhat dubious idea. Imaging for 3-4 hours after astronomical dark and likewise before dawn will be plagued with this problem.
All to develop a business plan to extract cash out of the populus of the world so he can fund his goal to land and walk on Mars. Now that is selfish. Just remember when the scientists and the IDA are concerned, there is going to be a problem. Musk will be sued into oblivion over this problem of his making.
|