Satellite Constellations Exceed the Limits of Acceptable Brightness Established by the IAU

TL;DR

This paper reports that most current satellite constellations, including Starlink and OneWeb, surpass the brightness limits set by the IAU, potentially interfering with astronomical research and night sky aesthetics.

Contribution

It provides brightness statistics for several satellite constellations and compares them to established IAU limits, highlighting widespread exceedance.

Findings

Nearly all satellites exceed magnitude 7+ limit

Most satellites surpass magnitude 6 limit

Satellite brightness poses a threat to astronomy and night sky appreciation

Abstract

Brightness statistics for satellites of the Starlink, BlueBird, Qianfan, Guowang and OneWeb constellations are reported. The means and standard deviations are compared to acceptable limits set by the International Astronomical Union's Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky From Satellite Constellations Interference. Nearly all these spacecraft exceed the magnitude 7+ brightness limit pertaining to interference with professional research. Most also exceed the magnitude 6 reference where they distract from aesthetic appreciation of the night sky.