![]() ![]() I have been studying magnitudes recorded by visual observers since Starlink and other spacecraft became an issue for astronomers a few years ago. Sky & Telescope readers can record scientifically useful observations of BlueWalker 3. Some planetarium programs such as Stellarium and other apps also forecast artificial satellite visibility. Users enter their location’s latitude and longitude and receive a list of upcoming passes along with star maps showing the spacecraft paths. The website is frequently updated with orbital information on newly launched satellites. There are several ways for observers to generate predictions of overhead passes. Amateur astronomers can help record this satellite's brightness, bringing awareness to bright satellites' effects on our night sky and on astronomy. Get Involved: Measure Satellite BrightnessīlueWalker 3 is expected to be among the brightest objects in the night sky after the antenna unfolds. That development would be very bad news for astronomy. Like the BlueBirds, the new Starlinks may carry antennas for direct connection to cell phones the antennas are slightly smaller at “only” 25 square meters, but the satellites would be far more numerous than the BlueBird constellation. Other bright satellites are waiting in the wings: 30,000 second-generation Starlink satellites are currently awaiting FCC approval. BlueWalker 3 will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket along with a batch of Starlink satellites. The back side of each antenna has solar cells to collect energy for powering the system. The satellites will be stored as compact objects on their launch vehicle and will unfold the large antennas after being released into space. AST SpaceMobile has already secured a license from the Federal Communications Commission to test the prototype. The commercial appeal of these satellites is that they will link directly to cell phones without the need of a cell tower. BlueBirds may produce even more glaring light pollution since they are significantly larger. After on-orbit tests of BlueWalker 3 are completed, the operational satellites, called BlueBirds, will be launched. Observers on the ground will see bright sunlight reflected from this structure. The first member of this new group, called BlueWalker 3, will feature a giant antenna array covering an area of 64 square meters (693 square feet). Astronomers at the Vera Rubin Observatory and the International Astronomical Union’s Centre for the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS) are concerned because these new spacecraft will interfere with celestial observations, adding to the problems already caused by other constellations. The AST SpaceMobile company plans to orbit more than 100 of these spacecraft by the end of 2024. The prototype of a new constellation of extremely bright Earth-orbiting satellites is due to launch in early- to mid-September. ![]() The panel of the BlueWalker 3 prototype satellite spans 64 square meters.
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