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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
hank you for writing your commentary about the
constellation satellites in the Nov./Dec. issue of SkyNews.I, too, am concerned about the growing number of constellation
satellites. Yesterday morning, I managed to get outside by 5:30 to
view the passing of the second batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites
that were launched a couple of weeks ago. I was disheartened when
all of them stretched across the northern sky. heir brightnesses
were between 3.5 and 4 magnitude. For 20 minutes, one by one and
spaced 2 to 5 degrees, perhaps 60 of them moved just below Polaris.I fear that if SpaceX (which may bring the total number of these
satellites to 50,000) and its competitors cannot decrease the bright-
ness of future satellites, then everyone on Earth will see over 5,
slowly moving points of light in the three hours after sunset and
before sunrise. he bowl of the Big Dipper will always have 50 lights
moving in and out of it in various directions. Within the outline
of Orion, over 100 will be moving, diminishing the beauty of that
ancient constellation.What is one to do? Are we nearing the end of stargazing
as we have come to love it?John Goss
Past President, Astronomical LeagueCONTRIBUTORS
Michael WatsonElizabeth HowellChris GainorNicole MortillaroSKYNEWS • MAR/APR 2020