Readers ask about satellite traffic jams and coronavirus
Space jam Fleets of satellites launched to expand global internet access are interfering with telescopes and astronomy research, Christopher Crockett reported in “An obstructed view” (SN: 3/28/20, p. 24). Reader Michael Brostek asked if researchers could use small satellites to build telescopes that orbit above the obstructing satellites. “With the proliferation of small satellites, could ‘huge’ [telescopes] be built … that would be better than the best ground scopes?” Brostek asked. Launching telescopes above the offending satellites is certainly an option, but it is more of a plan B at this point, Crockett says. As for launching many small satellites to act as a big telescope, “plans come and go, but never seem to get off the ground,” he says. The feat would require building an interferometer in space, where two or more telescopes line up their incoming light waves to act as one telescope. “That’s hard enough to do on the ground, and no...