By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept

Science, Space & Technology

Space Science Digital
Contact
Search
  • Home
  • Environment

    Spectacular Venus’ early-evening show

    February 9, 2023

    A simpler, more mundane explanation for ‘Oumuamua’s strange behaviour

    March 23, 2023

    Hubble spots an unusual globular cluster that defies accepted models

    April 10, 2023

    ESA works to free jammed radar boom on Jupiter-bound Juice probe

    April 29, 2023
  • Space Flight

    Delving Deeper: Super Heavy thrust and counting down to flight

    February 22, 2023

    A Venus-Jupiter conjunction is visible in the sky tonight

    March 1, 2023

    CRS-27 set to launch fresh cargo and experiments to ISS

    March 14, 2023

    NASA picture is best yet of a permanently shadowed region on the moon

    January 11, 2023
  • Cosmology

    The largest black gap merger simply acquired weirder

    December 14, 2023

    Blue Origin’s New Shepard Completes twenty fourth Flight; New Glenn Hopefully on the Horizon

    December 19, 2023

    The Environment of an Exoplanet Reveals Secrets and techniques About Its Floor

    December 23, 2023

    Where are the best places to see the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses?

    March 1, 2023
  • Latest
  • About Us
Reading: Strange Green Lines Above Hawaii was Probably a Chinese Satellite
Share
Aa
Space Science DigitalSpace Science Digital
  • Environment
  • Space Flight
  • Cosmology
  • Technology
Search
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Environment
    • Technology
    • Cosmology
    • Space Flight
  • More Foxiz
    • Blog Index
    • Forums
    • Complaint
    • Sitemap
Follow US
© 2023 Space Science Digital. All Rights Reserved.
Space Science Digital > Blog > Cosmology > Strange Green Lines Above Hawaii was Probably a Chinese Satellite
Cosmology

Strange Green Lines Above Hawaii was Probably a Chinese Satellite

By Aimee Daly March 9, 2023 3 Min Read
Share


Every once in a while, the stars (or, in this case, satellites) align, and keen observers can receive an unexpected light show. That happened a few weeks ago at the Subaru telescope in Hawai’i. An eerie green laser seemingly appeared out of nowhere, as captured in a YouTube video uploaded to the telescope channel. Luckily, their source was no more ominous than a passing satellite, and with its video posted publicly, now everyone could enjoy the light show.

The most likely cause of the lasers from space is the Daqi-1(or Atmospheric Environment Monitoring) satellite, which contains an Aerosol Carbon Detection Lidar (ACDL) that emits a green laser at the 572nm wavelength. At that frequency, it can determine how much carbon dioxide is in the particular region of space that it’s traversing – a helpful data point for an environmental satellite.

Daqi-1 only launched in April of 2022 and will eventually make up a suite of networked satellites intended to monitor greenhouse gas emissions. It just so happened to be passing above the Subaru telescope that day, and there also happened to be a cloud formation that allowed the lasers to be much more visible than they would be otherwise.

Remove All Ads on Universe Today

Join our Patreon for as little as $3!

Get the ad-free experience for life

Universe Today

Video of the event shows the lasers dancing across the sky.

Daqi-1 also isn’t the only satellite that could have made such a display. Originally the NASA satellite ICESat-2 was thought to be the culprit, as it also has a green laser operating at 532 nm. However, it was intended to measure ice sheet elevation and land topography, so not quite the same use case as Daqi-1. Also, the satellite didn’t appear to be over the island at the time.

Overall, this harmless display resulted in a pretty spectacular light show. However, there is a growing chorus among ground-based telescope operators about the increasing number of satellites impinging on their ability to do good science by interrupting long exposure times by passing overhead. We’ve written plenty of articles explaining that elsewhere, but for now, it seems we can expect more unplanned laser light shows to crop up worldwide.


Image of the Daq-1 satellite before launch.
Credit – CNSA

Learn More:
Science Times – Hawaii Green Laser Beam Not From NASA’s ICESat-2 ATLAS But China’s Daqi-1’s ACDL
UT – Subaru Telescope can now Analyze 2,400 Galaxies Simultaneously
UT – Don’t Want Aliens Dropping By? Engage Laser Cloaking Device
UT – Telescope’s Laser Pointer Clarifies Blurry Skies

Lead Image:
Composite image from the Subaru telescope video showing a series of green lasers passing above it.
Credit – Subaru Telescope Starcam YouTube Channel

Like this:

Like Loading…

TAGGED: Chinese, Green, Hawaii, lines, satellite, Strange

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Aimee Daly March 9, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]

HOT NEWS

Delving Deeper: Super Heavy thrust and counting down to flight

Space Flight
February 22, 2023

Is that this black gap jet making stars explode?

Again to Article Listing Greater than twice the anticipated quantity of novae have been discovered…

October 27, 2024

NASA Says Spacecraft Crash Test Successfully Changes Asteroid’s Orbit

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A spacecraft that plowed into a small, harmless asteroid millions…

October 11, 2022

World-Saving Spacecraft Passes Test

NASA says its DART spacecraft successfully shifted the path of an asteroid. For us earthlings,…

October 11, 2022

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Is that this black gap jet making stars explode?

Again to Article Listing Greater than twice the anticipated quantity of novae have been discovered popping off alongside the jet…

Cosmology
October 27, 2024

How Supersymmetry Saved String Concept

String concept, like most revolutions, had humble origins. It began all the way in which again within the 1960’s as…

Cosmology
December 23, 2023

Utilizing Good Supplies To Deploy A Darkish Age Explorer

One of the important constraints on the dimensions of objects positioned into orbit is the dimensions of the fairing used…

Cosmology
December 23, 2023

The Environment of an Exoplanet Reveals Secrets and techniques About Its Floor

As astronomers have begun to collect information on the atmospheres of planets, we’re studying about their compositions and evolution. Thick…

Cosmology
December 23, 2023
We use our own and third-party cookies to improve our services, personalise your advertising and remember your preferences.
  • Jobs Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Exclusives
  • Learn How
  • Support
  • Solutions
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Editorial Policy
  • Marketing Solutions
  • Industry Intelligence

Follow US: 

Space Science Digital

Welcome to spacescience.digital, A source for the latest news and developments in the exciting field of space science. Our blog covers a wide range of topics, from the latest space missions and discoveries to updates on technology and scientific breakthroughs. We are passionate about sharing the wonders of the universe with our readers and providing them with engaging and informative content. Join us on this fascinating journey as we explore the mysteries of space and the frontiers of human knowledge.

© 2024 Space Science Digital. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?