Nature Podcast3 Des 2025

Photobombing satellites could ruin the night sky for space telescopes

00:46 How satellite mega-constellations could ruin space-based astronomy

The ability of space-based telescopes to image the distant Universe could be in peril, according to new research investigating the impacts of light-pollution from future satellites. Streaks of reflected light from satellites currently in low-Earth orbit are already seen in telescope images, and planned launches could raise the number of satellites from around 15,000 to over half-a-million. Computer modelling revealed that this drastic increase would result in images taken by instruments like the Hubble Space Telescope becoming unusable by astronomers. The team propose a series of strategies to help mitigate these impacts, preventing this future becoming reality.

Research Article: Borlaff et al.

Nature: Satellite swarms set to photobomb more than 95% of some telescopes’ images

11:08 Research Highlights

How researchers have sped up the trapping of antimatter atoms — plus, how hydrogen fuel emission benefits vary considerably from sector to sector.

Research Highlight: Laser cooling traps more antimatter atoms than ever before

Research Highlight: Hydrogen fuel isn’t always the green choice

13:41 The negative consequences of video call glitches

Glitches in video calls are an annoying feature of everyday life, but these brief interruptions could have serious real-world impacts, according to analysis from a team of researchers. In one experiment, the team found that video calls with glitches decreased the likelihood of someone being hired for a job. Analysis of other data suggested glitchy calls were associated with lower chances of individuals being granted parole. The team behind the work think that these visual errors break the illusion that a video call is a real face-to-face conversation, potentially impairing judgements about the quality of the information discussed.

Research article: Brucks et al.

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