The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile is set to survey the southern sky using the largest camera ever built. However, the rising number of satellites—approximately 11,000 operational now—poses a significant challenge. The increasing congestion, primarily from companies like SpaceX with their Starlink project, leads to bright streaks in images and electromagnetic interference that complicate scientific work. Researchers must adapt or risk losing invaluable data from their observations, highlighting the broader challenge of maintaining the integrity of astronomical research in a crowded orbital environment.
"Every three nights, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory will produce a map of the entire southern sky filled with stars, galaxies, asteroids and supernovae."
"Researchers are having to find fresh ways to cope with the increasing congestion in space, or else risk losing precious data from Rubin and hundreds of other observatories."
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