Tens of thousands of satellites orbiting Earth will hamper astronomers’ efforts to study the Universe and spot dangerous asteroids, as well as brightening the sky and hiding stars from the rest of us.
Radio observatories like the Green Bank Telescope are in radio quiet zones that protect them from interference.
NRAO/AUI/NSF
Many telescopes use the radio spectrum to learn about the cosmos. Just as human development leads to more light pollution, increasing numbers of satellites are leading to more radio interference.
All human development, from large cities to small towns, shines light into the night sky.
Benny Ang/Flickr
People travel hundreds or thousands of miles and spend a fortune to see the night sky in all its splendor. But we are literally blocking out the cosmic beauty above our homes.
Artificial light is an emerging threat for marine ecosystems in coastal waters (Kochi, India).
Vinu Sebastian/Shutterstock
The stars, planets and Milky Way we see at night are part of a wilderness shared across the globe and across centuries. But does BlueWalker 3 herald a night sky polluted with bright satellites?
While artificially illuminating the night allows humans to make use of the the night, in doing so we catastrophically change the environment for all other species. How can we fix this?
Some cities never sleep.
Noam Cohen/EyeEm via Getty Images
Megaconstellations of satellites will visually clutter the night sky, disrupting astronomical research. And the environmental damage caused by these satellites is still unknown.
A dung beetle climbs atop its precious ball to orient itself using the night skies.
Chris Collingridge
Fireflies’ summer evening light shows are a delight for humans, but for the insects they are a crucial mating ritual – and human-caused light pollution is a buzz kill.
Growth in the port industry is expected to continue, and will intensify the adverse environmental effects on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
(Shutterstock)
Marine shipping generates about three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and port activities can add to local pollution. Ports are now taking action to reduce their environmental impacts.
The Arctic is warming two to three times faster than any other place on Earth.
Kevin Xu Photography via Shutterstock
Three recent studies shed new light, as understanding how the behaviour of Australia’s wildlife changes at night can help scientists better protect them.
With the proper equipment, you can enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
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COVID-19 may have messed up school and shut down a lot of entertainment venues. But you can still brighten things up by doing a little stargazing at night, an astronomer says.