Planned 1.7 million satellites 'devastating' for astronomy: study

The 1.7 million satellites that companies are aiming to launch into Earth's orbit in the coming years will have "devastating consequences for astronomy," new research warned Wednesday.

The plans to swarm Earth with huge, extremely bright satellites represent an "existential threat" to telescopes viewing the universe, according to the European Southern Observatory which conducted the research.

To retain humanity's ability to properly explore the night sky, the team of researchers called for a max ...