A two-and-a-half hour exposure illustrating space debris and satellite constellation orbits, taken at night at Pentre Ifan in Wales, a neolithic tomb close to where the stone for Stonehenge is believed to have been quarried. Copyright: Max Alexander
Photographer explores satellite and space debris response BY SKAO
SKAO HQ welcomed renowned space photographer Max Alexander as his new exhibition, Our Fragile Space, opened at the neighbouring Jodrell Bank Observatory. Our Fragile Space focuses on the growing issue of space debris and the impact of satellite constellations on astronomy. It combines artistic photography, reportage and portraiture to demonstrate the fragility of space, highlight the increasing threat of space debris to our environment and to centre the people and initiatives trying to do something about it. The SKAO’s sponsorship of the exhibition reflects the Observatory’s work with the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS). Alongside co-host the US National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab the SKAO helps coordinate collaborative international efforts to mitigate the impact of satellite constellations on ground-based optical and radio astronomy – a theme highlighted through Alexander’s photographs. The exhibition has toured the world and was previously on display at the United Nations in Vienna.
NOVEMBER
2023
Images include a two-and-a-half hour exposure illustrating space debris and satellite constellation orbits, taken at night at Pentre Ifan in Wales, a neolithic tomb close to where the stone for Stonehenge is believed to have been quarried (pictured). There are also photographs of space debris that have returned to Earth, including fuel tanks and rocket bodies, as well as an image of NASA scientist Donald Kessler standing over a table of falling dominoes to represent his “Kessler syndrome” theory of satellite collision chain reaction. Alexander said: “It’s a project about how crowded space is becoming, with satellites and space debris that is really becoming part of the Earth’s environment, or near space. These new satellite mega-constellations which are giving internet coverage around the world are only about 500 km from us, so no distance at all. “Protecting the near-space environment is in everyone’s interest, and this new field of space, environmentalism and stewardship of this environment is really important.”
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