Ban Proposed for Light-Polluting Satellite Constellations like Starlink.

Astronomers have called for a ban on megaconstellations of low-altitude satellites, including Elon Musk's Starlink, to reduce light pollution and preserve the ability to study the skies. In a series of papers published in the journal Nature Astronomy, scientists have raised concerns about the brightening night sky and called for regulation. The illumination of artificial satellites and associated space junk by the sun has increased night sky brightness, making it harder to detect faint astrophysical signals and impacting biological systems. The scientists suggest that the stakes are too high for inaction and that a cap limit on the total number of satellites in low orbits should be introduced.