Picture imperfect: light pollution from satellites is becoming an existential threat to astronomy

Low-orbit satellites are photo-bombing astronomers' pictures of the night sky, ruining images and affecting their ability to make new discoveries

There's a point at which light pollution starts to make astronomical observations impossible - a point we are fast approaching, thanks in part to Elon Musk.

More than 3,000 of the 5,000 active satellites orbiting Earth belong to Musk's SpaceX, including its Starlink fleet. Another 12,000 Starlink launches have been approved, and SpaceX wants a further 30,000 second-generation satellites on top of that, covering the entire globe.