Astronomers mock the giant ‘disco ball’ launched in space

A week after a company launched the ‘Humanity Star’ - the giant disco ball - in space that is reportedly going to be the ‘brightest thing in sky’ at night, astronomers have now taken to social media, calling the ball as ‘space garbage’.

Company Rocket Lab launched the ball that can be seen with naked eye and will be in space for nine months before decaying in October. Aiming to show a reflection of outer space to humans and unite people under the same sky, the ball will sparkle brightly for the observers below.

A giant disco ball has been sent to space to light up your nights

However, some astronomers are not really fond of this action and took to social media to express their concerns. Some of them even called this as ‘space graffiti’ and ‘space garbage’.

Wow. Intentionally bright long-term space graffiti. Thanks a lot, @RocketLab. https://t.co/jvYBvQGyW3

— Mike Brown (@plutokiller) January 24, 2018

This is stupid, vandalizes the night sky and corrupts our view of the cosmos. https://t.co/KkATT35Kf0

— David Kipping (@david_kipping) January 25, 2018

Headline should read: Private Companies Now Launching Space Garbage To Satisfy Founder's Ego.https://t.co/Pf4KuqCsbR

— Andy Howell (@d_a_howell) January 24, 2018

While this is a great idea, there is the problem that having another bright light in the sky, making light pollution that makes it more difficult to see that Universe.... :oS https://t.co/OD21gTbnjb

— DJ Dr JJ Eldridge (@astro_jje) January 24, 2018

Looking up at the Moon and the planets in the night sky invokes similar feelings of wonder - why do we need this artificial disco ball in orbit? https://t.co/FDxiR7FyQr

— Meg Schwamb (@megschwamb) January 24, 2018

However, according to Mashable, an astrophysicist JJ Eldridge also commented saying, “I know many astronomers are upset at this unnecessary object that will cause light pollution, although again we don't know orbit or brightness yet so we don't know how bad it will be. But I can also kinda see that maybe we do need something like this with so much negativity in the world at the moment.”

Rocket Lab has also addressed the negative views about the Humanity Star.

The Humanity Star will blink across the sky for just a seconds, and it won't be visible in your region for the full 9 months in orbit. Our hope is that it draws people's attention to the stars, then leaves them looking to the universe long after The Humanity Star has passed.

— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) January 24, 2018