Bright satellite BlueWalker 3 alarms astronomers, sparks concern about sky pollution

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

International Astronomical Union (IAU) unveiled a surprising revelation: what many had thought was a celestial body turned out to be the BlueWalker 3 prototype satellite. The IAU expressed concerns about the satellite's excessive brightness, which poses significant challenges to astronomers worldwide.

BlueWalker 3 is a crucial component of AST SpaceMobile's ambitious 5G communications system.

Its exceptional luminosity results from a massive phased-array antenna, making it the most extensive commercial antenna system ever deployed in low-Earth orbit. The reflective panels on this satellite act like a giant mirror, continuously reflecting sunlight towards Earth, making it remarkably bright.

AST SpaceMobile envisions deploying approximately 90 similar satellites, forming a «satellite constellation» for space-based cellular broadband.

While this technology has the potential to connect people globally and benefit society, it raises concerns about the increasing brightness of the night sky, as has been seen with SpaceX's Starlink satellites.

Astronomers are particularly troubled by the impact of BlueWalker 3 on their observations, as it directly affects their ability to study the night sky. Siegfried Eggl, a member of the IAU CPS, noted that this satellite was launched without considering its impact on astronomy, and the IAU CPS aims to collaborate with the space industry to find solutions.

Astronomers are concerned about the interference caused by BlueWalker 3 during twilight hours, which are essential for observing near-Earth objects and detecting potential asteroid collisions.