SpaceX Starlink satellites contribute to sky pollution? Satellite show flies over the United States this weekend

SpaceX Starlink satellites will be visible from the United States this weekend. However, experts say it will be a crime against the skies due to the massive light pollution it could create.

According to the latest previous Newsweek report, SpaceX Starlink satellites were visible in the night sky over Florida on Thursday, April 30 at night. Several residents who were able to see the satellites reported that a string of white lights was seen around 9 p.m. local time.

Florida residents posted videos and images of the satellite train on social media, while others contacted local media sources to report what they were seeing. One of those local media outlets is the local station News 6, which received phone calls from Floridians asking what they were seeing in the sky. Michael Seeley, one of Melbourne’s residents, posted images of the satellite train on social media.

“FL’s Space Coast had an amazing view of the #SpaceX #Starlink train tonight (Thursday) as it flew directly overhead. Amazing work, @elonmusk and @SpaceX team!” he captioned in his Twitter post.

The FL space coast had an incredible view of the #Spacex #Starlink Train tonight (Thursday) as it flew directly over the top.

This is the last part of the parade as it passed through the Gemini constellation, viewed at 4x speed from Melbourne.

Amazing work, @Elon Musk and team @SpaceX! pic.twitter.com/CJNnO0q26k

– Michael Seeley (@Mike_Seeley) May 1, 2020

“Florida, did you see that? The Starlink trail flew over us!” said Shanita Riquel, another Florida resident who posted the satellite train on social media.

SpaceX Starlink satellites to steal the shine from the skies? The United States will be able to see the spectacular satellite show this weekend

According to Newsweek, SpaceX’s Starlink projects aim to launch thousands of satellites into orbit to provide high-speed Internet coverage worldwide, especially in areas where access has been expensive, unreliable, and even unavailable.

Elon Musk already successfully launched 60 more Starlink satellites through the Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Center in Florida last week.

More than 1,500 satellites will still be launched, providing near-global service in late 2021 and 2022. Federal Communications has already given regulatory approval for SpaceX to send 12,000 satellites into orbit over Earth.

However, some experts have criticized the project due to the possible light pollution it could create. According to the report, the regions where the satellites will be sent into orbit are already full. Experts believe that Starlink satellites will generate space debris and further affect future astronomical observations.

“Starlink is a crime against humanity; it steals our ancestors’ skies from all corners of the earth,” said Travis Longcore, a light pollution expert at UCLA.

SpaceX recently responded to criticism from astronomers by claiming that it had updated the design of its satellites to reduce glare. The company said in a press release, which was released on Tuesday, April 28, that SpaceX makes sure that future satellites are designed as dark as possible.

“We also strongly believe in the importance of a natural night sky for us all to enjoy, which is why we have been working with leading astronomers around the world to better understand the details of their observations and the engineering changes we can make to reduce satellites shine, “the company said.

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