21–30 of 32 posts
And in 5,000 years, they will say. “They must have worshipped this star to create such a monument around it, showing how connected to the stars this ancient civilization was”
good luck if that startup gets to put up hundreds of space mirrors for nighttime daylight Dr.Becky had a good rant about it this week in the middle of her episode lol * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr52wOlyOaM her knowledge + enthusiasm is infectious, love it
They're only shining on people who pay for it. I am opposed to light pollution, but reflect is not a threat to anyone who likes dark skies.
> A peer-reviewed study by the astronomer Olivier Hainaut of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), published in Astronomy & Astrophysics in July 2026 identified Reflect Orbital's planned fleet as the brightest of the roughly 1.7 million satellites proposed by various operators.[18] An observer within a reflected beam would see the satellite shining about four times brighter than the full moon, although outside the beam, the satellite would be roughly as bright as the planet Venus.[18][39] With the full constellation of 50,000 satellites, ESO estimated the night sky would become three to four times brighter overall, and warned that illumination from a single mirror-satellite could ruin an exposure from a camera like that of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/ reports the area rates a 2 "average dark sky" on the Bortle scale, just short of an "excellent" score of 1. It's location halfway between Santa Rosa and Las Vegas, New Mexico is as far from populated areas as you might think.
I live in Albuquerque and within 2 hours you get the darkest skies you can imagine. Put that together with the average elevation and the dryness and the views are spectacular.
My parent's first date was going stargazing in the desert!
good luck if that startup gets to put up hundreds of space mirrors for nighttime daylight Dr.Becky had a good rant about it this week in the middle of her episode lol * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr52wOlyOaM her knowledge + enthusiasm is infectious, love it
FCC approves test of space mirror to light night sky
And in 5,000 years, they will say. “They must have worshipped this star to create such a monument around it, showing how connected to the stars this ancient civilization was”
One man had this vision and has spent most of his life making it happen. It appears to be a durable structure. Maybe it lasts 5000 years or more and when that day comes, their archaeologists analyze all the alignments, the structure, the context, etc and conclude that it must have been an important part of a society that valued science and technology. They study it and postulate that it was a gathering place for peop…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
One man had this vision and has spent most of his life making it happen. It appears to be a durable structure. Maybe it lasts 5000 years or more and when that day comes, their archaeologists analyze all the alignments, the structure, the context, etc and conclude that it must have been an important part of a society that valued science and technology. They study it and postulate that it was a gathering place for peop…
What’s the feasibility of accurately carbon dating coca cola, modelo bottles and spray painted graffiti?
> Star Axis, his largest project, was conceived in 1971
now it makes sense, groovy
Was wondering what this was all about and then visited the website > Star Axis, his largest project, was conceived in 1971 now it makes sense, groovy
Fast forward to 5:50 and the "groovy" comment will click in.
Unfortunately, the article says that you basically need to be rich in order to experience this work of art: “Today, donors can pay a thousand dollars or more to visit with a small group, or sponsor a stair for six figures.” It sounds like there may be liability issues as well for people visiting in the dark. The article mentioned the state legislature of New Mexico evaluated a plan to purchase it, but abandoned it.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
What’s the feasibility of accurately carbon dating coca cola, modelo bottles and spray painted graffiti?
Over a 5000 year timeline I would hope that we would not lose the technology to carbon date artifacts. Maybe we lose all the context so that archaeologists can't know whether coca-cola or modelo were places, people, gods, or products. I'm willing to bet, if past performance is any indicator, that they would be identified as items related to cultural deities worshiped by those who consumed their deliciousness in ritua…