The British astronomer and prominent member of the Royal Astronomical Society, Martin Ward, has recently voiced concerns in the Canary Islands regarding the dangers associated with the mass launch of microsatellites into space. He points out that, despite the significant risks they pose to astronomy, effective regulation remains a distant prospect. As he puts it, “it will be very difficult to protect the sky” from these objects since space is essentially an unregulated domain.
Ward delivered a lecture at the Museum of Science and the Cosmos in Tenerife, where he also highlighted some remarkable achievements made by the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most powerful telescope ever constructed.
Why is the James Webb telescope so important?
It’s quite simply the largest and most intricate space telescope we’ve ever put into orbit. While it’s similar to Hubble, it boasts a collecting area that’s eight times larger due to its mirror size. Also, it observes infrared frequencies rather than just optical light. Infrared, which is, at its core, heat, allows us to see much more of the universe effectively. This is primarily due to two reasons. First, the universe is expanding, so distant objects become redder—a phenomenon known as “redshift,” where wavelengths are stretched and shift towards the red end of the spectrum. Secondly, this wavelength lets us peer through the dust that obscures much of the universe. For these reasons, the James Webb is exceptionally suited to scrutinise the early universe and the first objects that formed within it.
Would you say that the James Webb telescope is changing the future of astronomy?
I’d say it opens up a new window to the universe for us. Our telescopes don’t operate in isolation; we synthesize the information collected from all the telescopes we have to compose a cohesive image. The infrared light captured by James Webb adds that essential extra piece to the puzzle. Think of the universe as a giant jigsaw, and James Webb is completing the centerpiece.
Do you think it has raised more questions than answers so far?
Absolutely, it has definitely prompted some questions. For instance, this telescope has begun to observe exoplanets beyond our solar system in search of signs of life, as it’s particularly adept at examining the atmospheres of some of these distant worlds. While we haven’t found definitive proof yet, there are hints that we could soon.
Can we find life?
The objects we observe are incredibly faint. So, when we capture an image, it’s actually a spectrum. This spectrum breaks down the light from these objects into colours, revealing variations that indicate specific elements, like oxygen or hydrogen. The goal is to analyse the spectra of these exoplanets and pinpoint where those subtle variations arise, as they could signify elements or molecules associated with life. However, there’s never a straightforward explanation, which leads to ongoing debates about whether we’ve discovered irrefutable evidence. When we do find definitive proof, it will be monumental, and I believe the James Webb is likely the means through which we’ll achieve that.
Can the James Webb telescope see black holes?
Actually seeing a black hole is nearly impossible, but we can gather evidence of their presence. The James Webb telescope aids us in observing what happens to gas around a black hole before it’s absorbed; at that moment, it heats up significantly. One of the notable findings from James Webb has been the identification of the first black holes, which raises the unresolved question of how galaxies formed. We know galaxies formed within the timeframe from the Big Bang to a few million years afterwards, but we’re still uncertain whether they originated from stars or black holes. It’s that classic chicken-and-egg dilemma. Which came first? That’s a huge question, and one way to tackle it might be studying the first galaxies to see if they host a small black hole or if they comprise only stars.
You’ve been linked to the archipelago for quite some time. How did your relationship with the Canary Islands begin?
Going back to when I was a student in 1978, I used the Carlos Sánchez Telescope at the Teide Observatory, although it wasn’t named that yet. I even published an article back then based on data from Tenerife. Later on, I worked for NASA as a consultant and with the European Space Agency, and it took a while to return.
What was the aim of your research in Tenerife?
I aimed to identify objects that emitted X-rays. At that time, we had a new satellite which allowed us to search for areas where X-rays were being emitted. We tried to connect those emissions to something visible, but the challenge was the numerous possibilities. In the Canary Islands, we measure light and intensity from specific types of objects with very characteristic forms. Using that telescope, we discovered an object that was a quasar. It became clear to us that this had to be the X-ray source, leading to a publication where we stated we found the X-ray counterpart using this telescope. It was quite groundbreaking, in fact. I believe it marked the first identification of a specific galaxy with an X-ray source made with that telescope.
Should we be protecting the sky from space debris and low-orbit satellites, like those from Elon Musk?
These thousands of communications satellites reflect sunlight; they don’t emit their own light. So when you’re trying to observe a galaxy, those streaks of light can complicate matters significantly. Yes, we should absolutely protect the sky, but that’s where the issues arise. There aren’t any laws governing space, which is a real dilemma. No one owns it, making it challenging to tell specific individuals, like Musk or whoever else is launching these thousands of tiny satellites, that they can’t proceed. There are no established rules, and it’s nearly impossible to get people to agree, especially with nations like China or Russia, where cooperation isn’t straightforward. Protecting the sky from satellites is going to be exceptionally tough.
Speaking of Musk and the United States, what are your thoughts on the recent budget cuts announced by the US government for NASA?
I have friends working at NASA, and they’re quite concerned, but the situation is rather unclear. There are many scenarios that could unfold, and things could worsen, but nothing is definitively laid out at the moment. I think it’s a bit premature to predict the impact of these policies.
