One other new, shiny satellite in our skies
BlueWalker 3, a communications satellite, has now unfurled in Earth-orbit. AST SpaceMobile launched this huge satellite in September 2022. It has now efficiently unfurled to greater than 26 toes per aspect. It’s presently the biggest industrial communications satellite in low-Earth orbit, and the corporate has plans to finally launch six of those satellites monthly. However astronomers are involved as soon as once more as a brand new and fairly shiny function joins our skies. Wish to see how shiny it’s for your self? Learn on.
Historical past is unfolding! We have deployed #BlueWalker3‘s 693-square-foot array, which is now the largest-ever industrial communications array in low Earth orbit.
Learn extra about this necessary milestone right here: https://t.co/4kupfxn3vO pic.twitter.com/KnE9CeWOCT
— AST SpaceMobile (@AST_SpaceMobile) November 14, 2022
Tips on how to see BlueWalker 3
Individuals have already reported seeing BlueWalker 3 cross overhead in darkish skies, evaluating it to a few of the brightest stars. Within the tweet beneath, you’ll be able to see the satellite passing via the bowl of the Big Dipper. The brief streak of sunshine that’s BlueWalker 3 appears each bit as shiny because the 2nd-magnitude stars within the bowl.
@AST_SpaceMobile‘s very shiny #bluewalker3 handed over our bay space imaging website early this morning at about 5:15 AM native (GMT-8). pic.twitter.com/IhscthdnfN
— Exclosure (@TheExclosure) November 12, 2022
If you wish to see for your self simply how shiny BlueWalker 3 is in your skies, go to Heavens-Above.com to search out when it would cross over your space. Satellites shine on account of reflecting daylight from excessive over Earth, so after they fall fully in Earth’s shadow, they disappear from view. Due to this fact, the {couples} hours after sundown and earlier than dawn are while you’ll have a possibility to see BlueWalker.
In the event you catch sight of it, depart us a word within the feedback letting us know the way shiny it appeared to you.
Private observations of BlueWalker 3
I’ve been out the final three nights observing BlueWalker 3 for myself. On all three nights (November 20, 21 and 22), the satellite took an analogous path throughout the sky and appeared near 3rd magnitude. Every time it reduce throughout the sky close to Jupiter. When it was decrease close to the horizon, I used to be unable to identify it on account of gentle air pollution. Not till it was nearer to 25 degrees excessive within the sky might I spot it from the background murk. Under are a few of the easy, handheld iPhone movies I took of the passes.
On this first video, you’ll be able to spot the dim gentle (comparable in brightness to different satellites) passing slightly below Jupiter:
I’ve noticed #BlueWalker3 2 nights in a row now. Not significantly shiny. Right here’s a poor high quality iPhone video of it passing proper beneath Jupiter tonight. pic.twitter.com/bUQTLOEdBA
— Kelly Kizer Whitt (@Astronomommy) November 22, 2022
Within the second, shorter video, you’ll need to look straight above Jupiter for the little gentle shifting off to the higher left.
Right here’s one more poor high quality video by me of #BlueWalker3 passing simply above Jupiter. I might say, as with the final 2 nights, it’s round third magnitude. pic.twitter.com/eRTgV3qN0T
— Kelly Kizer Whitt (@Astronomommy) November 22, 2022
What’s BlueWalker 3?
AST SpaceMobile described BlueWalker 3 (BW3) in relation to its milestone of unfurling:
BW3 is the largest-ever industrial communications array deployed in low-Earth orbit and is designed to speak instantly with mobile gadgets by way of 3GPP customary frequencies at 5G speeds. Now that it has been unfolded, the satellite spans 693 sq. toes in dimension, a design function essential to assist a space-based mobile broadband community. The satellite is anticipated to have a subject of view of over 300,000 sq. miles on the floor of the Earth.
Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Govt Officer of AST SpaceMobile, stated:
The profitable unfolding of BlueWalker 3 is a serious step ahead for our patented space-based mobile broadband expertise and paves the best way for the continuing manufacturing of our BlueBird satellites.
Array absolutely deployed in space!!!!
See pictures from BlueWalker 3 unfolded in orbit with completely different sun angles. So happy with the group. ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????#5G pic.twitter.com/jC1GpR2fbz— Abel Avellan (@AbelAvellan) November 14, 2022
More and more crowded skies
The difficulty of accelerating satellites in our skies is turning into a well-known criticism. How can people steadiness the racing technological advances however nonetheless protect our darkish skies?
Astronomers are attempting to work with the satellite firms similar to SpaceX with its burgeoning Starlink satellites to search out some type of compromise. You may learn extra in How satellites harm astronomy: what’s being done.
Backside line: BlueWalker 3 has unfurled, with its solar panel array spanning a whopping 693 sq. toes. Discover ways to spot this satellite out of your location.
