Astronomers are concerned that our views of heavens are becoming more and more obscured. Their warning comes ahead of whole series of satellite launches by variety of companies. Thousands of satellites are being launched into orbit throughout 2020 to make high-speed Internet more readily available across world from space. The scientists say the skies will be so littered with arrays of satellites they will compete for our attention with stars. They say the satellites will link up to form "mega-constellations" that could interfere with radio astronomy and quality of images from optical telescopes. The astronomers said satellites will appear as dazzling white streaks of light that could be mistaken for stars.
Technology analysts say there are plans to launch as many as 46,000 satellites into space over next few years. This is five times more than number of objects sent into space since launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, over six decades ago. Satellites from companies like SpaceX and Amazon will provide much faster Internet speeds to even remotest areas of the world. They will provide global connectivity across globe. Even today, about 14 million people in USA live in rural areas with zero Internet coverage. SpaceX will launch 120 satellites in January and has plans to send further 12,000 into orbit in next decade. Astrophysicist Dr Dave Clements called initiative "tragedy".
