The impact of these glows on astronomical observations is still being evaluated. In addition to the glows, rockets and satellites also leave metals in the stratosphere, contributing to pollution. SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation is expanding internet access globally, but at the cost of astronomical observations. However, the company is reportedly working to reduce its harmful impacts on astronomy.
Key takeaways:
- SpaceX rocket launches are causing bright aurora-like phenomena in the sky, caused by interactions between rocket exhaust and the ionosphere.
- These events are becoming more frequent, with 2 to 5 of the sky glows seen per month, according to Stephen Hummel, an astronomer at the McDonald Observatory in Texas.
- In 2017, a SpaceX Falcon 9 exhaust plume left a 560-mile-wide hole in the ionosphere, potentially causing slight range errors in GPS systems.
- SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation is expanding internet access globally but may be impacting astronomical observations, although the company is reportedly working to reduce its harmful impacts.