Wednesday, June 04, 2025

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Starlink Satellite Emissions Disrupt Radio Astronomy Observations

Survey details unintended Starlink emissions impacting SKA-Low astronomy

From Arxiv Original Article

Researchers conducted the largest survey of Starlink satellite emissions in the SKA-Low radio frequency range, analyzing 76 million images over 29 days. They detected over 112,000 signals from 1,806 satellites, including emissions in protected frequency bands and reflections of terrestrial radio signals.

Why it matters: Starlink satellites emit signals that interfere with radio astronomy, impacting observations in protected frequency bands.

The big picture: This extensive survey helps quantify satellite radio emissions, aiding future mitigation efforts in radio astronomy.

Stunning stat: Up to 30% of images in some datasets contained detectable Starlink satellite signals.

Quick takeaway: Starlink satellites emit broadband and narrowband signals and reflect terrestrial FM radio, affecting sensitive astronomical measurements.