You are taking a course on human and animal ecology. Your professor shows you
two pictures (see below) and asks you to interpret their significance and suggest
a solution for A and B (see below).
ANSWER: Light pollution (A) and satellite pollution (B).
A. The photograph shows light polution on the island of Sálvora in northern
Spain. Nocturnal light pollution can have significant adverse effects on humans and
other animals, particularly birds and insects. Nocturnal light exposure can strain
the visual system, disrupt circadian physiology, suppress melatonin secretion, and
impair sleep.
B. The photograph shows Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) contaminated by satellite
trails (image credit: Daniel Lopez from Tenerite). Visual astronomy requires dark
skies and radio astronomy needs radio quite skies, both of which are jeopordized by
an ever increasing number of radio satellites in modern society.
A. B.
Cited: Science. 2023;380(6650):1125-1140.
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