Can we talk about the growing problem with satellite streaks in long exposures?

I've noticed more satellite trails ruining my deep-sky images this year. It seems like with all the new launches, it's getting harder to avoid them. What are folks doing to edit these out?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_wendy1mo ago

What happens when @nina_johnson86's band-aid fixes can't keep up with all the new launches? We might just lose the ability to get a clean shot of space at all.

nina_johnson861mo ago

I read somewhere there's over 5,000 Starlink satellites alone up there now, which is just wild to me. The editing tricks (like stacking a bunch of shots) help, but it feels like putting a band-aid on a bigger problem. Honestly, it's getting to the point where a clear patch of sky feels like a lucky break. All those new mega-constellations are basically painting permanent, slow-moving graffiti on the night sky.

torres.mark1mo ago

You read about that new stacking software that's supposed to help, right? I saw an article saying it's getting better at removing streaks, but it still messes up faint stars sometimes. That really hits on what @the_wendy said about band-aid fixes, because the software just can't keep up with how many new satellites go up each month. It feels like we're all just learning how to clean up a mess instead of stopping it from happening. Does anyone even know what the night sky will look like in five years?

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