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Elon Musk destroys astronomy (www.astron.nl)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Observations with the LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) radio telescope last year showed that first generation Starlink satellites emit unintended radio waves that can hinder astronomical observations. New observations with the LOFAR radio telescope, the biggest radio telescope on Earth observing at low frequencies, have shown that the second generation ’V2-mini’ Starlink satellites emit up to 32 times brighter unintended radio waves than satellites from the previous generation, potentially blinding radio telescopes and crippling vital research of the Universe.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Fiber line to the bright side of the moon; transceiver there.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

For multi-mode (full duplex) you would still need a power amp repeater every 500 meters, which requires a lot of power and create noise. You can't be quiet with noise.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Even if you make them sub-surface, or otherwise shield them from the FOV of the antenna?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Yes, because there's no way to transmit power or data anywhere without being loud af in any signal spectrum. It's physically impossible.

Even with fiber, you need a laser to beam the signal, and a powerful amp on the moon to recieve the signal and boost it with fuck ton of high power repeaters to the other side of the moon which is also loud af

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Be that as it may, it’d be minimal compared to the interference that terrestrial radio observatories have to deal with.

I guess I’m just saying that I don’t understand why you’re being so negative about the concept when it’s clearly going to be orders of magnitude better than existing antennae.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

True. When can we visit said hypothetical moon base?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Wanna go next Tuesday? I’m pretty sure I’m free then.