A communications satellite the size of an apartment is so bright it can outshine stars, and astronomers are worried it could interfere with their research

Dec 7 2022 by Business Insider

 
Trails in the night sky left by BlueWalker 3 at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.

KPNO/NOIRLab/IAU/SKAO/NSF/AURA/R. Sparks

AST SpaceMobile deployed a 693-square-foot communications satellite into orbit called BlueWalker 3. Astronomers say it's as bright as some of the brightest stars, and warn it could impact their work. The company plans to orbit hundreds of others to provide a space-based broadband network.

In November, AST SpaceMobile unfurled an apartment-sized satellite complete...

Continue Reading A communications satellite the size of an apartment is so bright it can outshine stars, and astronomers are worried it could interfere with their research