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- 1FCC Holds Sweeping Power Over Massive Spaceflight Projectsβ"The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly green-light massive spaceflight projects that could comp
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly approve massive spaceflight projects, including large satellite constellations that could fundamentally alter the appearance of the night sky for everyone on Earth. Despite growing public outcry and concern from astronomers, space law experts say the FCC remains effectively the only gatekeeper, with very little other regulatory oversight available to check these approvals.
- 2Astronomers warn proposed 50,000 orbital mirrors would harm sky observationβ"'They're saying we want to launch 50,000 mirrors by 2035,' Benvenuti said. 'That would be catastrophic for astronomy, t
Astronomer Benvenuti said plans to launch 50,000 light-reflecting mirrors into orbit by 2035 would be 'catastrophic for astronomy.' The comment came after the FCC reportedly granted approval to Reflect Orbital, a company that intends to bounce sunlight back to Earth as a commercial service. Researchers fear large numbers of bright reflective satellites would interfere with telescope observations and darken the night sky science relies on.
- 3Cosmic 'fart' seen driving zombie star's repeated flashesβA giant cosmic 'fart' is making a wobbling zombie star repeatedly flash us, 'groundbreaking' observations reveal
Astronomers report groundbreaking observations of a dead, or 'zombie', star that flashes toward Earth repeatedly because a vast cloud of ejected gas β likened to a cosmic 'fart' β makes it wobble on its axis. The study offers a rare look at how material thrown off by a dying star can alter its rotation and orientation, producing the regular flashing pattern detected from our planet.
- 4James Webb telescope releases one of its biggest images yetβJames Webb telescope shares one of its biggest images ever, with record-breaking stars hiding in the dust β Space photo of the week
The James Webb Space Telescope has released one of the largest images of its mission, capturing record-breaking stars concealed within clouds of cosmic dust. The observation, featured as a space photo of the week by Live Science, highlights the telescope's ability to peer through dust that blocks other instruments, revealing stellar details previously hidden from astronomers.
- 5First direct radio signal detected from planet beyond solar systemβReseachers detect a direct radio signal from planet beyond solar system for the first time
Researchers have reported detecting a direct radio signal from a planet outside the solar system for the first time. The announcement is being widely shared as a potential milestone in the study of exoplanets, since radio emissions have previously been observed mainly from stars and other cosmic objects rather than from planets themselves. Details about which planet was involved and how the signal was confirmed have not yet been widely reported.
- 6Astronomers say AST SpaceMobile satellites far exceed brightness limitsβ"Our measurements reveal an average brightness seven times brighter than mitigation targets cited in FCC filings and pea
Astronomers report that measurements of AST SpaceMobile satellites show an average brightness seven times above mitigation targets cited in FCC filings, with peak values more than 200 times brighter than the International Astronomical Union's recommended threshold of magnitude 7. The findings raise concerns as the company prepares to deploy more satellites, with researchers warning of growing interference with ground-based astronomy.
- 7Astronomer turns sinking Starlink satellites into planetary barometerβAstronomer watches Starlink satellites sinking to build a 'planetary barometer'
An astronomer is tracking the gradual orbital decay of Starlink satellites to measure density changes in the upper atmosphere, effectively turning the satellite constellation into a global 'planetary barometer'. As satellites sink, the drag they experience reveals how the thin air at their altitude expands and contracts with solar activity. Space scientists are discussing the approach as a clever reuse of existing mega-constellation telemetry for atmospheric research.
- 8PRIMA: French far-infrared expertise backs international scienceβ# PRIMA : # expertise # franΓ§aise # infrarouge # lointain au # service # science # internationale . # PRIMA : # French #
PRIMA, a far-infrared space mission, is drawing on French expertise to serve the international scientific community, according to CNES. The French space agency highlights the country's role in far-infrared observation technology, which will enable astronomers to study cold objects in the universe, from distant planets to star-forming regions, in cooperation with international partners.