In a massive leap for galactic archaeology, astronomers have released the largest ALMA image ever produced, providing an unprecedented look into the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ)—the chaotic, 650-light-year-wide heart of our galaxy. This new dataset, part of the ALMA CMZ Exploration Survey (ACES),
doesn't just show us where the gas is; it reveals the "hidden
chemistry" that fuels the birth of the galaxy's most massive stars.
For the text and to watch the ESO video on this amazing mosiac head over to EadsyAstronomy at this LINK. The video is worth heading over for!
In today’s post, I want to highlight a deeply concerning development reported by AstrobitesLINK regarding the future of our night skies. We’ve all been dealing with the increasing interference of Starlink, but two new proposals—one from Reflect Orbital and another from SpaceX—threaten to change the "forgotten sky" we love into a grid of artificial light and silicon.
Reflect Orbital: "Sunlight After Dark"
Imagine looking up and seeing artificial "stars" that outnumber the real ones by five to one. Reflect Orbital plans to launch a constellation of 50,000 mirrors by 2035 to sell "sunlight after dark."
"Once in orbit, this satellite will unfold a 18 m x 18 m sized mirror in a low earth orbit. When viewed from the ground, this mirror will be as bright as a full Moon when you are within the path of its reflection. And if not, it will appear as a star when passing overhead. This means that if Reflect Orbital reaches its goal of 50,000 mirrors, their mirrors will outnumber the real stars visible to the naked eye at night by more than a factor of 5."
Imagine 50,000 satellites beaming beams back to Earth each night! Even when you aren't in the direct beam, it will appear as a bright star passing overhead. For those of us who spend our nights sketching or imaging faint nebulae and hunting other deep sky objects, this isn't just a nuisance—it’s an environmental catastrophe for ground-based astronomy.
SpaceX: A Million Satellites for AI
As if 50,000 mirrors weren't enough, SpaceX has applied to the FCC to deploy 1 million satellites to create space-based AI data centers. To put that in perspective:
There are currently about 14,000 operational satellites.
This proposal would increase that number by a factor of 70.
The sheer volume of metal in orbit would create a permanent "haze" of reflected light, making true dark-sky observing nearly impossible and posing a massive risk for orbital collisions (Kessler Syndrome).
Imagine seeing this when you go to image or observe in your backyard. this is from Missouri on February 23rd, 2026 by amateur Don Bush (LINK). The second is from a darker site.
The Regulatory "Black Hole"
The most frustrating part? These companies are bypassing environmental protections. The FCC has traditionally used a "categorical exclusion" to skip the environmental impact studies required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Worse yet, new guidance from 2025 has seen the FCC argue that space-based operations should be exempt from NEPA entirely because they are "extraterritorial"—essentially arguing that because the satellites are in space, they don't affect the "environment" of the United States. We know better. The sky is a shared heritage, and the light pollution from these constellations knows no borders.
Remember YOU can submit comments at this link which I posted in a similar article earlier this week:
For those of us who treasure the view from our backyards and the stillness of a dark-sky site, the clock is ticking. We are moving toward a future where "the stars" are just a commercial product. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the Earendil-1 launch in April—though I’d much rather be looking at the stars that have been there for billions of years.
So this week, I was going to focus on one of my personal hero's and favorite early astronomers, Sir William Herschel. However, I don't think you can review the life and contributions of Sir William without also addressing his sister, Caroline who assisted him and was an amazing astronomer in her own right. Finally, I had to look to Sir William's son, Sir John and his scientific contributions that built on the legacy of his father and aunt, and the one he created for himself.
Please note that there is SO MUCH more I could add, but I am just sticking to the very basics.
As always, the full text and info is over at EadsyAstronomy at this link.
Here is the video on Sir William Herschel
Here is the video on Caroline Herschel: Here is Sir John Herschel, the son of Sir William.
