Vera Rubin Observatory in jeopardy even before its inauguration 🔭

The night sky above Chile, where the Vera Rubin Observatory is set to begin its first observations in the coming weeks, has radically changed since its inception in the early 2000s. Astronomers now face a new reality: light pollution caused by thousands of new satellites.


The Vera Rubin Observatory, equipped with a 3,200-megapixel camera, is designed to map the Universe with unprecedented precision. However, the proliferation of satellite megaconstellations, such as SpaceX's Starlink, threatens to compromise this mission. These satellites leave trails that risk "burning" astronomical images.

Scientists have developed algorithms to distinguish satellites from genuine celestial phenomena. Despite these efforts, up to 40% of images could be affected, representing a significant waste of resources. Satellites not only dazzle instruments but can also be mistaken for astronomical events.

Initiatives to reduce satellite brightness, such as the use of special paints, offer hope. However, the effectiveness of these solutions remains unproven. The balance between technological progress and preserving the night sky is now more than ever a major challenge for astronomers.