Even if humanity becomes an inter-stellar civilization, we will still have satellites polluting the night-sky on any planet! They are an eternal fixture of our civilization now - as long as we don't go extinct.

For naked eye observations definitely not a problem in comparison with light polution. Though for astronomers, especially those looking with sensitive instruments (SIPM and SPAD cameras) for transient events (like asteroid occultation or ultrafast photometery) all those satellites will create fake signals - about 1ms dips in the brightness now and then.

People on HN who are "upset", or believe (correctly, of course) that night sky observation/recording/appreciation is increasingly impeded over time, do not feel that way because of this image.

Yes, terrestrial light pollution has been the number one problem since we invented electric lights, but satellites and terrestrial light pollution are both separate problems with different effects and different coverage. E.g. even though light pollution is much more harmful, you can escape it with a short drive, even if you live in a densely populated region. You can't escape the strings of satellites.

When I look at the night sky with my eyes I don't see the picture shown. I might see a few moving lights, sometimes they are planes, sometimes satellites. They're magical, just like a meteor or the space station, but they don't annoy me at all.

One of my most memorable night viewings was some years ago when I was in Cyprus, lovely and warm, sat looking overhead. I saw a bright light and a dark light perhaps 2 or 3 degrees (more than a thumb, less than 3 fingers) apart travelling at the same speed. I later found out it was a Dragon carbon ship detatched from the space station and on its way back to splashdown less than an hour later in the pacific.

> But in any case, it's the time when the vast majority of stargazers are looking at the stars (with their eyes).

You have to wait a couple hours after sunset for the really good stargazing to begin…

[delayed]

In the summer they can be visible for up to four hours after sunset. Since summer nights are the most pleasant for being outside, and the sun sets quite late, it is a serious issue for the casual stargazer

It makes me sad to think there's gonna be nowhere on earth that doesn't have a reminder of human presence (satellites, plastic etc)

Yes. light pollution is harmful. No it is not being referenced here.

Wait, Satellites only visible in astronomical twilight ? Respectfully, that is simply false. Source: my backyard