In January 2021, Joshua Rozells ventured into the Pinnacles desert in West -Australia, with the intention of photographing a star route. But after having shot for more than three hours and viewing his images, he realized that the light patterns he had recorded were not what he had hoped for.
“There were satellite paths visible in almost every photo,” he wrote Instagram. “Instead of trying to get rid of them in front of a star path, I decided to put the satellite paths together in a single image to show how polluted the nocturnal heaven is.”
Rozells choke on each other 343 different photos, illuminates a growing problem. When Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched Starlink in 2019, 60 satellites filled the air, with a race from other companies to follow. That number has now covered 10,000With tens of thousands more in the making. Only SpaceX is planning to launch 40,000 more.
Rozell’s composite reflects visually supplements from astronomers, who warn that although satellites collect essential data, the stunning amount that our heaven fills, only light pollution will worsen and our ability to study what is outside of it. Because this industry has little regulation, the problem can remain uncontrolled.
“Fortunately, astronomers have taken note of this growing problem around the world and they start to speak,” Rozells adds. “Organizations such as the center of the International Astronomical Union for the protection of the dark and quiet heaven argue for the regulation and protection of the nightly sky.” (Via Kottke))
