Light-polluting mass satellite groups must be regulated, say scientists

Astronomers urge people to stand up to ‘big light’ industry amid unchecked brightening of night sky

A ban on megaconstellations of low-altitude satellites – arrays like Elon Musk’s Starlink – should be considered, astronomers have said, in an effort to reduce light pollution and preserve our ability to study the skies.

In a series of papers and opinion pieces published in the journal Nature Astronomy, scientists have raised the alarm about the brightening night sky, with one team of experts calling for scientists to stand up to “big light” as they have to other fields, such as big tobacco and big oil, and bring in regulation.