Description
The increasing number of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations has raised significant concerns in the astronomical community due to their impact on night sky observations. These LEO satellites can be extremely bright, visible to the naked eye, and can significantly impact data analysis and limit certain scientific research. Accurately measuring their brightness using visual magnitude is crucial for assessing their interference with astronomical observations.
This study introduces a Python-based pipeline designed to analyze images of artificial satellites and space debris captured at the Oukaimeden Observatory. The pipeline calculates the apparent magnitudes of observed objects and facilitates direct comparisons of their reflective brightness across multiple observations. These insights enhance our understanding of LEO satellites' impact on astronomical data, supporting efforts to mitigate their influence on observational astronomy.
| Stream | Science |
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