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testaburgertoday at 8:13 AM1 replyview on HN

I read that by syncing up several space telescopes, astronomers can use something called interferometry to make them work together as one large telescope.

I wonder it's possible for Starlink to attach small telescopes on each of these satellites, and if so, if this could lead to a massive PR win for them and a science win for humanity, while at the same time helping to combat any genuine concerns from the public about Starlink harming astronomy. Just an idea (again I don't know if it's possible).


Replies

yourMadnesstoday at 8:20 AM

It's not physically impossible. But the engineering reality isn't promising.

You'd need micro-meter alignment accuracy across the constellation for optical observation. For radio observation it might be possible - but I'm not sure if it would be useful.

Launching complimentary ordinary space-telescopes would also be good PR.