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Scientists turn Starlink into a giant scanner for Earth’s upper atmosphere

Researchers have found a clever new way to map a part of Earth’s upper atmosphere that is notoriously difficult to observe.

Source AI Summary Published August 12, 2026 Brief Under 1 min brief
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Researchers have leveraged the vast network of Starlink satellites to create a massive scanning system for Earth's upper atmosphere. By utilizing data from approximately 1,200 satellites, scientists have been able to reconstruct changes in atmospheric density at an altitude of around 500 kilometers. This approach has the potential to improve satellite tracking and mitigate the increasing risk of collisions in space. The upper atmosphere is notoriously difficult to observe, making this development significant for scientists seeking to better understand this region. The use of existing infrastructure, such as the Starlink satellites, makes this method a cost-effective and efficient way to gather data on the upper atmosphere.

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