Scientists Push Back Against Reflect Orbital's Space Mirrors

Residents of Lone Pine, California, saw two bright lights from Mount Whitney in early October — an experiment by startup Reflect Orbital, which wants to place mirrors in orbit to reflect sunlight to Earth at night. Presidents of four international scientific societies from over 30 countries sent a letter to the FCC warning that artificial light at night (ALAN) can harm circadian rhythms, wildlife migration and plant rhythmicity.

• Reflect Orbital proposes orbital mirrors to light Earth at night
• The FCC letter was signed by heads of four scientific societies from 30+ countries
• Reflected light patches could span nearly four miles wide
• Scientists classify ALAN as a form of environmental pollution