Brightness of first Chinese broadband constellation satellites alarms astronomers
A recent study highlights that China’s Qianfan satellites, part of a planned broadband constellation with over 14,000 satellites, are significantly brighter than Western systems, posing challenges for astronomers. The 18 satellites launched in August have a brightness ranging from magnitude 8 when low in the sky to magnitude 4 overhead, exceeding the visibility threshold for both professional and amateur observations. The researchers, affiliated with the … Continue reading Brightness of first Chinese broadband constellation satellites alarms astronomers
