Latest news with #SKA
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Starlink Satellites Are 'Leaking' Radio Emissions
Specialists at Australia's Square Kilometer Array (SKA) released a report this week showing Starlink's unexpected impact on radio astronomy. Despite national and international protections against radio emissions in certain bands, Starlink is clogging the skies with electromagnetic pollution. Light pollution stretches far beyond the hazy glow of a city on the horizon. Down in the radio portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, governments barter sections of light. Large portions of bandwidth stay reserved for the military, while others get auctioned off (sometimes literally) to communications companies. Squeezed in between these chunks of spectrum lie bands for public broadcasting, HAM radio, and science. Governments, corporations, and private citizens are supposed to stay away from protected bands so that radio telescopes can observe in peace. When the Starlink satellites launched, SpaceX collaborated with key radio astronomy observatories to avoid broadcasting while transiting above telescopes. Strategies include turning off Starlink WiFi services completely in certain regions of the sky. The resulting disruptions to Starlink operations are not insignificant. Spectrum management, especially in the United States, involves give-and-take on both sides. But American observatories have the benefit of observing at mid- to high-frequencies, at least by radio standards. Those frequency bands are less polluted than low frequencies, because emitting at low frequencies takes less energy and so costs less. If corporations and the military ignored protected bands, it would cause serious problems for radio astronomy. But a new study by engineers at the SKA suggests unintended electromagnetic radiation, or UEMR, may be a bigger issue than intended radiation. The SKA is still under construction. When completed, it will be the most powerful radio telescope in the world. The low-frequency part of the telescope (SKA-Low) is designed to go after trace echoes from when matter began to coalesce 13 billion years ago. SKA-Low looks odd even by the standards of radio telescopes. A thick forest of metallic Christmas trees in the Australian desert maximizes sensitivity to faint signals. But the new era of radio telescopes is butting up against a new era of satellites. There are more satellites in orbit than ever before, including massive networks of related satellites called constellations. With 7,000 satellites in Low Earth Orbit, Starlink is the biggest constellation. As they transit above SKA-Low, Starlink satellites release radio emissions through multiple protected bands. In a pre-print of their study, the SKA-Low team reports 112,534 intrusions of Starlink satellites in their radio images. Their month-long study showed that 30% of all Starlink satellites in the sky at the time appear in their data. Most of this emission seems to be accidental. UEMR from Starlink interfering with radio astronomy isn't unprecedented. During the initial launch phase, radio astronomers found that the propulsion system on the satellites emitted at unexpectedly low frequencies, decreasing the quality of astronomical data in an already polluted band. But the satellites had all been launched at the time of this new study. So where is all this radio pollution coming from? We don't know the various origins of the UEMR the SKA-Low team observed, except for one feature at 99.7 MHz. If that sounds like an FM radio band, it's no coincidence. Starlink satellites bounce FM radio shows back down to the Earth. For telescopes carefully located in radio-quiet zones, that's not ideal. Fixing this issue is particularly crucial to the success of SKA-Low, which seeks to look further back in time than any telescopes in a similar radio band. Signals from the early universe are very faint, and Starlink satellites are not. Unfortunately, the codes governing spectrum use only ban intended radio emission in protected bands. Consider a hyperbolic analogy: Imagine if murder were illegal, but manslaughter wasn't. Spectrum experts and regulators are currently discussing how to address this issue. For now, though, as long as Starlink is here, so are the unintended radio emissions.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
SA's MeerKAT telescope joins forces with European VLBI Network
This is a new chapter for high-resolution radio astronomy, enabling scientists to study the universe in greater detail than ever before. FILE: Part of the ensemble of dishes forming South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope is seen in Carnarvon on July 16, 2016. Picture: Mujahid Safodien/ AFP South Africa's MeerKAT telescope has joined forces with the European VLBI Network (EVN), one of the world's most sensitive and advanced very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) systems. Their partnership sets a new standard for global collaboration and significantly enhances both resolution and sensitivity, opening new avenues for scientific exploration and a new era of radio astronomy. Space exploration It is also a new chapter for high-resolution radio astronomy, enabling scientists to study the universe in greater detail than ever before. The collaboration has already delivered impressive results, with EVN researchers capturing enhanced images of energetic plasma jets from the supermassive black hole J0123+3044. This sets the stage for a new wave of scientific breakthroughs in understanding cosmic phenomena. 'Proud moment' Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande said the achievement is a proud moment for South African science and a powerful demonstration of what international collaboration can accomplish. 'Integrating MeerKAT into the EVN marks a giant leap for precision radio astronomy and lays vital groundwork for the future Square Kilometre Array (SKA)-VLBI era'. The Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE), headquartered in the Netherlands, coordinated the EVN's participation and played a central role in data processing and image development, working closely with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory's (SARAO) engineering and science teams to ensure the mission's success. ALSO READ: Anyone out there? Astronomers find signs of life on distant planet Universe exploration Reflecting on MeerKAT's remarkable capabilities and its collaborative observations with the EVN, SARAO Managing Director Pontsho Maruping said the telescope has been highly successful in its mission to explore the radio sky with unprecedented detail, capturing images of some of the universe's largest-scale structures. 'At the same time, we strongly emphasise collaborating with other instruments as we continue to develop MeerKAT's scientific capabilities before its eventual integration into the SKA-Mid telescope'. 'Great achievement' Jive Council Chair Jessica Dempsey applauded the 'great' achievement by the SARAO team. 'This collaboration not only showcases the power of international partnerships in radio astronomy but also paves the way for transformative scientific discoveries through cutting-edge technological innovation.' The achievement is not just a technological milestone; it is also a powerful example of global scientific unity, with South Africa proudly at the forefront of the world's expanding window on the universe. ALSO READ: SA takes giant leap with Prime telescope to enhance exoplanet discovery [VIDEO]
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Science
- IOL News
Elon Musk's Starlink: a threat to South Africa's astronomical research?
One of the 64 MeerKAT Telescopes observing our skies. Image: UWC The prospect of Elon Musk's satellite internet venture, Starlink, expanding its operations to South Africa has generated considerable excitement, particularly for its potential to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. However, experts in the field of astronomy are raising concerns about the unintended consequences of satellite constellations on South Africa's world-class radio telescopes. University of the Western Cape (UWC) Professor Lerothodi Leeuw recently spoke to Cape Talk radio about the disruptive impact that Starlink and similar satellite networks could have on the country's premier astronomical facilities. Among those at risk are the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), a state-of-the-art observatory in Sutherland, and the ambitious Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, designed to unlock new insights into the universe. Prof Leeuw likened the interference caused by satellites to a form of 'photo-bombing,' where artificial radio signals intrude upon critical observations. He emphasised that this issue is not new, but Starlink's growing prominence has renewed discussions around mitigating the effects of space-based transmissions. South Africa has invested significantly in its radio telescope infrastructure, and authorities have implemented strict regulations to minimise interference from terrestrial sources. The SKA site, for instance, is located within a designated radio-quiet zone. However, Prof Leeuw pointed out that these safeguards do not extend beyond national borders, leaving space-based satellites outside the scope of local regulations. Professor Lerothodi Leeuw Image: UWC 'We don't control low Earth-orbiting satellites,' he noted, highlighting that Starlink is not the only operator deploying satellite constellations. Other ventures, such as OneWeb and Project Kuiper, also contribute to the challenge. Despite the difficulties, Prof Leeuw remains optimistic that measures can be put in place to mitigate the problem. He suggested that temporarily disabling satellites while they pass over sensitive areas could help prevent interference. 'There is potential to mitigate the problem by turning off satellites for just a few seconds as they cross the region, without affecting transmission elsewhere,' he explained. Some scientists have already approached Starlink to explore solutions, leading to adjustments in satellite design. These include adding optical reflectors to redirect light away from telescopes or modifying the satellites' surfaces to reduce glare. However, altering orbital paths to completely avoid interference remains impractical. Prof Leeuw underscored the significance of this issue within the scientific community. He revealed that a conference dedicated entirely to tackling satellite interference was held last year, although discussions on radio astronomy only occupied half a day, showing that the subject, while growing in importance, remains under-addressed. As satellite constellations continue to proliferate, experts in astronomy are urging operators to take more proactive steps to minimise their footprint on scientific exploration. The balance between global connectivity and preserving the integrity of astronomical research is a delicate one, and finding solutions will require coordinated effort between governments, scientists and satellite providers alike.
Business Insider
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Astronomers worry Musk's Starlink could disrupt South Africa's mega-telescope observations
Astronomers working with South Africa's SKA telescope are urging the government to ensure that any licensing deal with Elon Musk's Starlink includes protections for their sensitive astronomical research. Astronomers in South Africa emphasize the need for protective measures in agreements involving SpaceX's Starlink to safeguard sensitive astronomical research. A licensing deal with Starlink has attracted controversy, with its parent company advocating alternative compliance mechanisms to local ownership laws. Concerns exist that Starlink's low-orbit satellites might interfere with operations of South Africa's SKA-Mid radio telescope. Astronomers working with South Africa's SKA telescope are urging the government to ensure that any licensing deal with Elon Musk's Starlink includes protections for their sensitive astronomical research, according to a senior scientist. Talks around Starlink's entry into South Africa have already sparked controversy. Parent company SpaceX has pushed back against local ownership laws, instead proposing equity equivalent initiatives as an alternative path to compliance. Adding astronomy-related licensing conditions could further complicate efforts to bring Starlink to South Africa, where Musk already expressed concerns over the government's Black empowerment policies, Reuters reported. While South African authorities have said they're open to reviewing rules in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, they remain firm on policies aimed at transforming the economy nearly 30 years after the end of white-minority rule. Interference with the SKA telescope Scientists worry that Starlink's low-orbit satellites could interfere with observations by South Africa's Square Kilometre Array (SKA-Mid), one of the world's most advanced radio telescopes, co-hosted with a similar array in Australia. Di Vruno, spectrum manager at the SKA Observatory, said both his organization and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) are pushing for license conditions that would limit interference with critical observation frequencies used by the SKA-Mid telescope. These conditions could require Starlink to either steer its satellite beams away from SKA receivers or pause transmissions for brief periods to minimize disruption, he explained. The SKA's current array of antennas in Carnarvon, a remote town in South Africa's Northern Cape, operates within the 350 megahertz to 15.4 gigahertz frequency range, bandwidth also commonly used by satellite operators for downlinks. South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope, a precursor to the SKA-Mid and soon to be integrated into the larger Square Kilometre Array (SKA), has already delivered remarkable discoveries. Among them is a rare giant radio galaxy that spans 32 times the size of the Milky Way. In another instance, it identified 49 new galaxies in under three hours, according to the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO).
The Herald
03-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Scientists want astronomy-linked conditions on Starlink's SA licence deal
Di Vruno said the SKA Observatory, where he is spectrum manager, and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (Sarao) were lobbying for licence requirements to reduce the impact on observations in certain frequency ranges, including some that SKA-Mid uses. This could direct Starlink to steer satellite beams away from SKA receivers or stop transmission for a few seconds to minimise interference, he said. South Africa's SKA antennae, in the remote Northern Cape town of Carnarvon, uses the 350 megahertz to 15.4 gigahertz bandwidth, a range also used by most satellite operators for downlinks. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa regulator and Starlink did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters about the scientists' concerns. South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope, a precursor to SKA-Mid which will be incorporated into the larger instrument, has already discovered a rare giant radio galaxy that is 32 times the size of the Milky Way. Last year it found 49 new galaxies in under three hours, according to Sarao. SKA Observatory, an international body, also campaigns for conditions on licensing agreements with other major satellite operators such as Amazon and Eutelsat's OneWeb to ensure quiet skies amid a boom in new satellite launches. 'We are trying to follow different technical and regulatory avenues to mitigate this issue on the global stage,' Di Vruno said. Reuters
