Rubin Observatory's cosmic census faces a satellite-streak crisis

Space.com reports that the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, with its massive camera and LSST survey, could transform astronomy, but the rapid growth of satellite megaconstellations (led by Starlink) threatens to create bright streaks that contaminate data and complicate moving-object detections, potentially affecting a sizable share of exposures. Scientists are pushing for collaboration with operators to dim satellites, share streak maps, and develop analysis methods to separate satellites from real signals, underscoring the urgency as mega-constellations expand.