Massive space mirrors could be 40 times brighter than the full moon, astronomers warn. 'It will be worse than big cities like London'

Live updates

1. 15d ago

   Space Mirrors Spark Concern Over Brightness and Blindness Risk

   Astronomers warn that massive space mirrors could be 40 times brighter than the full moon. A project plans to launch 50,000 mirror satellites into space, potentially risking blindness. The mirrors aim to beam solar light with a 5-kilometer diameter and brightness of up to four full moons over Earth.

   Why it matters

   The space mirrors are intended to generate energy 24 hours a day. However, their brightness could have unintended consequences, including disrupting astronomical observations and potentially causing visual disturbances. This development has sparked concerns among astronomers and the public.

   What is confirmed

   • Massive space mirrors could be 40 times brighter than the full moon.
   • A project plans to launch 50,000 mirror satellites into space.
   • The mirrors aim to beam solar light with a 5-kilometer diameter and brightness of up to four full moons over Earth.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The space mirrors could cause blindness.

   What to watch next

   • Launch date of the space mirror project
   • Regulatory approval for the project
   • Scientific studies on the effects of space mirrors on astronomy and human vision
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. Space — Massive space mirrors could be 40 times brighter than the full moon, astronomers warn. 'It will be worse than big cities like London'
   2. CPG Click Oil and Gas — 50,000 Mirror Satellites to Launch into Space, Risking Blindness: Project Plans to Beam Solar Light with a 5-Kilometer Diameter and Brightness of Up to Four Full Moons over Earth
   3. WAMC — A space mirror satellite test
   4. yourweather.co.uk — Mirrors in space to generate energy 24 hours a day: the project that could blind you
   5. apnews.com — NASA’s newest space telescope launches on a quest to explore the hidden universe
   6. www.nature.com — Lift-off! NASA launches Roman Space Telescope to tackle dark-energy mysteries
   7. www.smithsonianmag.com — NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launches to Find Exoplanets and Unravel Mysteries of Dark Matter and Dark Energy
   8. Phys.org — NASA's newest Roman space telescope launches on a quest to explore the hidden universe
   9. wtop.com — Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches with goal to chart unseen views of the universe
   10. www.sciencedaily.com — NASA’s Roman Space Telescope launches to reveal the Universe’s darkest secrets
   11. arstechnica.com — NASA’s next “great observatory” begins mission to widen our view of the Universe
   12. www.pbs.org — NASA's newest space telescope launches on a quest to explore the hidden universe
   confidence 90%