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Satellites are causing disruptions in the field of astronomy, particularly when it comes to detecting asteroids. The implications of missing an asteroid that could potentially hit a major city are alarming. The fact is, we have yet to discover the majority of asteroids that have the capability to wipe out cities, and there may even be planet-killing asteroids of which we are unaware.

The problem lies in the increasing number of satellites being launched into space. While satellites have revolutionized global connectivity and communication, they have created a cluttered near-Earth orbit, emitting radiation that interferes with astronomical observations, and hampering asteroid detection programs.

The rapid expansion of satellite constellations has become a space race, with numerous companies launching thousands of satellites. This has positive implications for aerospace engineering and the space industry as a whole, but caution must be exercised regarding the environmental impact of these launches.

Satellites have an impact on radio and optical astronomy. Radio frequencies used in radio astronomy can be disrupted by satellite interference. Additionally, satellites reflect sunlight off their solar panels, affecting the way we observe the sky optically.

SpaceX alone has already deployed over 4,500 satellites, with plans to launch thousands more. China’s planned constellation of satellites, called Guowang, is expected to have over 12,000 satellites. This rapid increase will result in a crowded Earth’s orbit within a few years.

Satellites, such as SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, can even be seen by the naked eye, exacerbating concerns about their effects on high-powered instruments used for astronomy. These satellites could potentially interfere with the detection of hazardous asteroids, which is already a challenging task.

While efforts to identify potential hazardous asteroids have been successful, there is still an estimated 10% of planet-killer asteroids that remain unknown. For smaller asteroids, the lack of awareness is even greater. Satellites obstruct the crucial process of detecting asteroids and gathering information about our universe by reflecting sunlight.

Astronomers believe that many of the missing asteroids are hidden around Earth’s orbit, and this is where satellite constellations become a problem. These satellites are most prominent in twilight zones along Earth’s orbit, where asteroids often hide. This is an area that the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory could contribute towards as it strives to map the solar system in unprecedented detail.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, previously called the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), will not only provide valuable astronomical data but also aid in the detection of asteroids. Although still under construction in Chile, this observatory has the potential to significantly improve our understanding of the solar system and aid in the identification of hidden asteroids.

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