One other new, vibrant 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 facet. It’s presently the most important 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 vibrant function joins our skies. Need to see how vibrant 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
The best way to see BlueWalker 3
Folks have already reported seeing BlueWalker 3 cross overhead in darkish skies, evaluating it to a number 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 to be like each bit as vibrant because the 2nd-magnitude stars within the bowl.
@AST_SpaceMobile‘s very vibrant #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 vibrant BlueWalker 3 is in your skies, go to Heavens-Above.com to search out when it’s going to cross over your space. Satellites shine as a result of reflecting daylight from excessive over Earth, so once they fall fully in Earth’s shadow, they disappear from view. Subsequently, the {couples} hours after sundown and earlier than dawn are while you’ll have a possibility to see BlueWalker.
When you catch sight of it, go away us a observe within the feedback letting us understand how vibrant it seemed 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 the same 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 as a result of gentle air pollution. Not till it was nearer to 25 degrees excessive within the sky may I spot it from the background murk. Beneath are a number 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 vibrant. 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 wish to look straight above Jupiter for the little gentle shifting off to the higher left.
Right here’s yet 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 immediately with mobile units through 3GPP customary frequencies at 5G speeds. Now that it has been unfolded, the satellite spans 693 sq. toes in measurement, a design function essential to assist a space-based mobile broadband community. The satellite is anticipated to have a discipline of view of over 300,000 sq. miles on the floor of the Earth.
Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Government Officer of AST SpaceMobile, mentioned:
The profitable unfolding of BlueWalker 3 is a significant step ahead for our patented space-based mobile broadband know-how and paves the way in which for the continued manufacturing of our BlueBird satellites.
Array totally deployed in space!!!!
See pictures from BlueWalker 3 unfolded in orbit with totally different sun angles. So pleased with the workforce. ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????#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-recognized criticism. How can people steadiness the racing technological advances however nonetheless protect our darkish skies?
Astronomers are attempting to work with the satellite corporations similar to SpaceX with its burgeoning Starlink satellites to search out some type of compromise. You’ll be able to 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. Learn to spot this satellite out of your location.
