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- 1FCC Holds Sweeping Power Over Massive Spaceflight Projects●"The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly green-light massive spaceflight projects that could comp
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly approve massive spaceflight projects, including large satellite constellations that could fundamentally alter the appearance of the night sky for everyone on Earth. Despite growing public outcry and concern from astronomers, space law experts say the FCC remains effectively the only gatekeeper, with very little other regulatory oversight available to check these approvals.
- 2Astronomers warn proposed 50,000 orbital mirrors would harm sky observation●"'They're saying we want to launch 50,000 mirrors by 2035,' Benvenuti said. 'That would be catastrophic for astronomy, t
Astronomer Benvenuti said plans to launch 50,000 light-reflecting mirrors into orbit by 2035 would be 'catastrophic for astronomy.' The comment came after the FCC reportedly granted approval to Reflect Orbital, a company that intends to bounce sunlight back to Earth as a commercial service. Researchers fear large numbers of bright reflective satellites would interfere with telescope observations and darken the night sky science relies on.
- 3Hubble spots spiral galaxy spinning two ways at once●NASA's Hubble sees an exotic spiral galaxy spinning two ways at once
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has observed an exotic spiral galaxy that appears to be rotating in two opposite directions at the same time. The rare finding, reported by NASA and covered by outlets including Mashable, offers astronomers an unusual case study in galactic dynamics and may prompt further research into how such counter-rotating structures form.
- 4Astronomer turns sinking Starlink satellites into planetary barometer●Astronomer watches Starlink satellites sinking to build a 'planetary barometer'
An astronomer is tracking the gradual orbital decay of Starlink satellites to measure density changes in the upper atmosphere, effectively turning the satellite constellation into a global 'planetary barometer'. As satellites sink, the drag they experience reveals how the thin air at their altitude expands and contracts with solar activity. Space scientists are discussing the approach as a clever reuse of existing mega-constellation telemetry for atmospheric research.
- 5Astronomers say AST SpaceMobile satellites far exceed brightness limits●"Our measurements reveal an average brightness seven times brighter than mitigation targets cited in FCC filings and pea
Astronomers report that measurements of AST SpaceMobile satellites show an average brightness seven times above mitigation targets cited in FCC filings, with peak values more than 200 times brighter than the International Astronomical Union's recommended threshold of magnitude 7. The findings raise concerns as the company prepares to deploy more satellites, with researchers warning of growing interference with ground-based astronomy.
- 6First radio waves detected from an exoplanet hint at alien auroras●First radio waves seen from an exoplanet hint at otherworldly auroras # science # astronomy https://www. sciencenews.org
Astronomers have picked up radio waves from an exoplanet for the first time, a signal that could indicate auroras similar to those seen on Earth and the solar system's giant planets. The detection opens a new way to study magnetic fields and atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars, and scientists say future observations could reveal more about potentially habitable worlds far beyond our solar system.
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Asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered in December 2024, has drawn attention from NASA and space watchers worldwide after early calculations suggested a small but nonzero chance it could hit Earth in December 2032. The roughly 40-metre-wide rock briefly topped impact-risk monitoring lists, and astronomers have been refining its orbit as it moves away from view.
- 8Oman opens first robotic observatory at Jabal Shams▼Oman’s first robotic observatory opens at Jabal Shams
Oman has inaugurated its first robotic observatory, located at Jabal Shams, the highest peak in the Arabian Peninsula. The facility can operate without on-site staff, taking advantage of the mountain's clear skies and high altitude for astronomical observation. The opening marks a step forward for Omani scientific infrastructure and its ambitions in space and astronomy research.
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The James Webb Space Telescope has detected a black hole hidden inside a dense cocoon of gas, according to a report by Gadget Review. The finding offers a rare glimpse of an object normally obscured from view and could shed light on how black holes grow in the early universe. Astronomers and space enthusiasts are sharing the discovery widely.
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This term refers to the full moon of September 2026, which Swedish readers are searching for. Evidence is thin: the only visible post is an Expressen horoscope for the full moon of 26 September 2026, offering astrological guidance tied to the lunar event. No posts explain a broader news event or unusual astronomical occurrence behind the searches, so interest appears to be driven by readers looking up dates and horoscope readings for the September full moon rather than any breaking story.