Legal action could be used to stop Starlink affecting telescope images

A group of astronomers has called for legal action to stop the launch of vast numbers of satellites designed to beam high-speed internet around the world until their impact on the night sky can be assessed.

Starlink satellites have created bright streaks in some telescope images affecting astronomical observations. Some worry that the thousands of bright points of light could alter the sky for the public and astronomers forever.

“If it is not possible to leave a better planet for future generations, we can at least try not to make it worse,” says group member Stefano Gallozzi at the Astronomical Observatory of Rome in Italy.