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Starlink Satellite Reentry Creates Impressive, Terrifying Fireball as It Burns Up in the Atmosphere
On the night of November 9, residents of the American states of Colorado, Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma were treated to an extraordinary sight: a fireball lit up the night. Many people believed it was a meteor, but the truth was even more fascinating – and somewhat worrying. This fireball was actually caused by the reentry of starlink satellite -4682, by SpaceX, launched in 2022.
This satellite is part of a fleet of thousands that orbit our planet as part of the ambitious project Starlink, which aims to provide high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas, has also raised questions about the environmental impact of this space operation, however.
The celestial spectacle of the Starlink satellite
It was just after 22 p.m. Central Time that witnesses reported the incident. People from all over the area—especially in Oklahoma City and Dallas-Fort Worth—stopped to watch what looked like a giant shooting star. Among the reports, Kevin W. of McKinney, Texas, described the sighting as the “best sighting ever.”
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In Guangzhou, another witness said it was “the most incredible thing” he had seen in a long time. The fireball even appeared to fragment into smaller pieces as it fell, a sight worthy of a science fiction film.
Despite its beauty, the spectacle left some puzzled. Was it really a meteor or was there something more? Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, came up with the answer: it was Starlink-4682 returning to Earth. These reentries of Starlink satellites are not rare, but according to McDowell, only a few are visible like this one.
The dark side of Starlink satellites
With so many satellites eventually being launched and returning to Earth, some scientists have begun to raise concerns about the potential impacts of these frequent reentries. Each time a Starlink satellite enters the atmosphere, it releases aluminum oxides, substances that can harm the ozone layer and interfere with the planet’s ability to reflect sunlight.If we don't suffer at all, we will see the impact globally in the next 10 years.”, announced Minkwan Kim, professor of astronautics at the University of Southampton.
These particles, released when heated in the atmosphere, can increase the temperature of the upper layers and affect the global climate. While this type of reentry is nothing new, the frequency with which it occurs today, due to the large number of Starlink satellites, is raising red flags among scientists.
A glimpse into the future
As more satellites continue to be launched, the night of November 9 served as a visible reminder of what’s happening above our heads. The mesmerizing sight that enchanted residents of four U.S. states also carries a more sobering message about the consequences of technological progress. As space lovers, we ask ourselves: Is the beauty of the lights in the sky worth the impact they can have on our planet?
As we consider these advances, we need to find ways to balance innovation with environmental preservation. After all, the Earth is our home and deserves our care and respect, even as we explore the wonders beyond it.
