Lmst

#SpaceX acquires #xAI, plans to launch a massive #SatelliteConstellation to power it

“This marks not just the next chapter, but the next book in SpaceX and xAI’s mission.”

Eric Berger – Feb 2, 2026

"SpaceX has formally acquired another one of Elon Musk’s companies, xAi, the space company announced on Monday afternoon.

“SpaceX has acquired xAI to form the most ambitious, vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth, with AI, rockets, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile device communications and the world’s foremost real-time information and free speech platform,' the company said. 'This marks not just the next chapter, but the next book in SpaceX and xAI’s mission: scaling to make a sentient sun to understand the Universe and extend the light of consciousness to the stars!' [How much Special-K did you take, dude?]

"The merging of what is arguably Musk’s most successful company, SpaceX, with the more speculative xAI venture is a risk. Founded in 2023, xAI’s main products are the generative AI chatbot Grok and the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. The company aims to compete with OpenAI and other artificial intelligence firms. However, Grok has been controversial, including the sexualization of women and children through AI-generated images, as has Musk’s management of Twitter."

#USPol #WorldPol #ElonSucks #SkyNet #AISucks #DarkSkies #SpacePollution #SatellitePollution #LowEarthOrbit #KesslerEffect #KesslerSyndrom

Okay lighting people, have you heard of a bulb with the dimmer built in? Like why not have a slider on the bulb ‘s base so that people don’t need a special switch in the wall or a remote that requires battery power? 💡

#darkSkies #lighting

Early morning or dusk scene. A photo. Forest background with a wide constructed path running through at a slight angle. Someone stands with a black umbrella and long dark skirt or dress, looking out toward the forest

Modern car headlights are contributing to light pollution and harming nocturnal wildlife. Learn how smarter beam design such as warmer colors, better aiming, and proper intensity can reduce their ecological impact.

https://www.darkskyconsulting.com/blog/how-car-headlights-are-changing-the-night

#LightPollution #DarkSkies

It's like #ElonMusk wants there to be a #KesslerEffect! Hard to launch a space program if we can't leave Earth!

#SpaceX seeks go-ahead from the #FCC to put up to a million #DataCenter satellites in orbit

by Alan Boyle on Jan 31, 2026

Excerpt: "SpaceX founder Elon Musk wasn’t kidding about his plans to go big with orbital data centers: The company is asking the Federal Communications Commission to approve a plan to put up to a million satellites in orbit to process data for artificial intelligence applications.

" 'Launching a constellation of a million satellites that operate as orbital data centers is a first step towards becoming a #Kardashev II-level civilization — one that can harness the sun’s full power — while supporting #AI-driven applications for billions of people today and ensuring humanity’s #multiplanetary future amongst the stars,' SpaceX said in an application filed with the FCC on Friday."

#AISatellites #SkyNet #DarkSkies #Starlink #LowEarthOrbit #LEO #KesslerSyndrome #SolarFlares #Grounded

#astronomy #telescope #kielder #darkskies

A picture of a portable telescope used by professionals especially when running public educational events

Celebrating the Dark Skies of the South Downs National Park
By South Downs National Park Authority
Feb 13 from 6pm to 9pm GMT
Memorial Hall, South Downs Centre.
Talks, plus "cake and refreshments and stargazing through telescopes (weather permitting)."
Free tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrating-the-dark-skies-of-the-south-downs-national-park-tickets-1980560703379?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

#SolarPunkSunday #Astronomy #SouthDownsNationalPark #DarkSkies #SouthDowns

Some new work by Jenell Johnson (University of Wisconsin–Madison) takes on one of the biggest challenges in advocacy around the issues of #LightPollution and #DarkSkies: countering the fear of nighttime darkness that she describes as “The Most Challenging Argument to Make”.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17524032.2026.2617995

#Emotion #Rhetoric #Advocacy

The U.S. company pursuing an #energy #megaproject that would have threatened dark night skies over a major astronomical observatory in #Chile has evidently abandoned the effort.

https://www.ex-ante.cl/aes-andes-cancela-proyecto-de-hidrogeno-verde-inna-y-prioriza-expansion-renovable-y-almacenamiento/

#Astronomy #LightPollution #DarkSkies

If anyone is looking for some paid #DarkSkies work in the latter part of this year, have a look at this 12-week @americorps internship at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/p/3c635a4c3a07-night-skies-assistant-12-weeks-americorps Applications close on 15th February.

A new report highlights Connecticut’s growing debate over whether darkness is a natural resource worth protecting. At the Westport Astronomical Society, we’ve seen it firsthand: over 51 years, our skies have nearly lost the Milky Way.

👉 https://www.courant.com/2026/01/20/ct-is-having-a-dispute-over-darkness-what-both-sides-say-about-whether-its-a-natural-resource/

#DarkSkies #LightPollution #MilkyWay #Astronomy #WestportAstronomicalSociety #Connecticut #WestportCT

#SpaceX gets #FCC approval to launch 7,500 more #Starlink #satellites😱

by Anthony Ha
Sat, January 10, 2026

Excerpt: "The Federal Communications Commission announced Friday that it has given SpaceX approval to launch another 7,500 of its second-generation Starlink satellites, for a total of 15,000 satellites worldwide.

"Beyond simply allowing SpaceX to launch more satellites and expand its high-speed internet coverage, the FCC says its decision also means Starlink satellites can operate across five frequencies to provide direct-to-cell connectivity outside the United States, along with supplemental coverage in the U.S.

"Reuters reports that SpaceX had requested approval for an additional 15,000 satellites, but the FCC said it would 'defer authorization of the remaining 14,988 proposed Gen2 Starlink satellites.'

"SpaceX must launch 50% of the approved Starlink satellites by December 1, 2028, and the remaining 50% by December 2031, the FCC says."

#KesslerSyndrome #SpaceDebris #KesslerEffect #LEO
#DarkSkies #Satellites #SpaceTrash #Landlines #SpacePollution

This will guarantee #KesslerSyndrome sooner than later!😱

As #SpaceX Works Toward 50K #Starlink Satellites, #China Eyes Deploying 200K

China's Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilization and Technological Innovation submits filings for two constellations, each of which could support 96,714 satellites, for a total of 193,428.

Michael Kan, January 12, 2026

Excerpt: "To counter China, the FCC has been expediting and streamlining its satellite approvals. This includes clearing SpaceX to operate another 7,500 satellites for its second-generation constellation. The regulator has also approved plans to operate Starlink satellites at lower orbits, from 340km to 485km. Currently, Starlink has over 9,400 orbiting satellites."

#SpaceDebris #KesslerEffect #LEO
#DarkSkies #Satellites #SpaceTrash #Landlines #SpacePollution

Oh great, more companies competing to hasten #KesslerSyndrome !

#Starlink-rival Eutelsat signs deal with Europe's #MaiaSpace to launch satellites

By Gianluca Lo Nostro
Fri, January 16, 2026 at 7:11 AM EST

"#Eutelsat, which acquired OneWeb in 2023, plans to ⁠launch 440 Airbus-built #LEO #satellites in the coming years to replenish and expand its constellation."

#LEO #LowEarthOrbit #SpaceJunk #Satellites #KesslerEffect #DarkSkies #SpaceTrash

Well, I think this is a hyperbole -- there will still be coax (axe/coax?) and fiber and good ol' landlines. Of course, #ElonMusk is trying to cut subsidies to those projects to divert money to #Starlink access!

#KesslerSyndrome: Space debris may create a future with no internet, TV, or mobile phone

By Quamrul Haider, 19 January 2025

Excerpt: "If, indeed, satellites collide or go offline because of overcrowded LEO, critical services like internet, navigation (GPS), weather forecasts, cell phones, television and other space-based technologies could fail. Needless to say, this will cause widespread disruption to modern life. Imagine life without social media!"

#KesslerEffect #Starlink #LEO #DarkSkies #Satellites #SpaceTrash #Landlines #SpacePollution

@sundogplanets 😱 That's insane!

#RewildTheNight #DarkSkies #Starlink

https://pixelfed.social/p/jonathanworth/912352808533925522

Something of a shakey start but Happy New Year. #Darkskies #Rainbow

Solutions to #LightPollution

#DarkSkyInternational, April 10, 2018
Updated July 24, 2023

"Light pollution is harming our environment, wildlife habitats, and our quality of life.

Every day needs a night

All around us, this unintended pollutant is taking a silent toll. Each year, thousands of migrating birds and shorebirds are killed because of unnecessary artificial light at night. Light pollution threatens aquatic ecosystems by increasing the risk of harmful algae blooms. It also impacts our quality of life by eradicating our access to the wonder of beautiful #NightSkies.

Help us save the night

The good news is, the solution is as easy as screwing in a lightbulb. Light pollution is something we can all help erase, in our homes and backyards, the parks that we play in, and the cities and towns we call home.

Some of the tactics and actions you can take to help immediately are provided below. We hope you’ll join us as we tackle this major problem that gets minimal coverage."

Learn more:
https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/light-pollution-solutions/

#SolarPunkSunday #LunarPunkSunday #DarkSkies #RewildTheNight #LightPollution

Our most popular stories of 2025

#RewildingMagazine
Dec 26, 2025

Backyard lizards, converted golf courses and the case for turning down the lights.

"As the year comes to a close, we're looking back at the articles we published that were especially well read. Here, in case you missed them the first time, are the top five stories of 2025.

A million thank-yous to our subscribers, contributors and supporters. We look forward to covering even more global rewilding stories in 2026.

Happy New Year!"

https://www.rewildingmag.com/our-most-popular-stories-of-2025/

#SolarPunkSunday #LunarPunkSunday #RewildTheNight #DarkSkies #Rewilding #Amphibians #Reptiles #GardeningForPollinators #GolfCourses #Forests

Whaaaat

💡

TIL that lightbulbs can have the same “temperature” (like 2700K) and still be different color. Unlesss one I have is defective.

Can any of you help us understand? I’ve done a quick web search but no useful results so far. I was only told lower K means “warmer” (yellow-er) light color, and higher K means “cooler” (bluer/whiter) but apparently you can’t know what kind of light you’re getting based on this.

Tagging #darkSkies and #lighting to see if the answer exists.

Texas Standard broadcast from McDonald Observatory, highlighting Texas’ dark‑sky efforts, homeschool astronomy, StarDate’s legacy, and new research into dark energy. A look at how Texans reached for the cosmos.
https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/today-on-texas-standard-december-12-2025/
🎧 #TexasStandard #McDonaldObservatory #DarkSkies #Astronomy #UTexas #TexasScience #SpaceResearch

#darkskies

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