Satellites, Iowa, and trains, oh my!

Happening in the World: ‘Mega’ constellation firms, SpaceX and OneWeb, which have launched thousands of satellites into orbit, met with European astronomers to discuss the impact satellites have on ground-based astronomy and the potential dangers of space junk (defunct satellites) hanging out in orbit. The talks were reported to have been ‘positive.’ Allegedly, there are two new papers, that will soon be published, over findings of the reflectivity of SpaceX’s StarLink satellites and over a model of how much observation time will be lost due to these satellites, if their interference will be as harmful as many astronomers have predicted. (BBC)

Happening in the US: After a delay in results from the Iowa Caucus, the Iowa Democratic Party released a statement last night, clarifying that the delay in votes was not due to a hack. In their statement, they say that it was a “reporting” issue, and that there were “inconsistencies in the reporting of three separate results,” according to IDP Communications Directory Mandy McClure. Apparently, an app that was supposed to be used to report the results malfunctioned as well, making it difficult for precincts to report their results. (NPR)

Happening in NYC: On Monday night, a New Jersey bound train was subject to a power failure, which led to a domino effect of cancellations and delays in Penn Station. Power was reportedly lost at around 4:30 pm, however, it was restored by 8 pm, but not before many commuters were stranded, waiting for trains. This occurrence isn’t too rare, especially in the last few years as aging tracks and delayed repairs have made these delays more frequent. (NYTimes)

Happening on Campus: On Saturday, scientist Robin E. Bell will be giving a talk titled ‘Discovery to Action: Change from the Poles to Our Shores, a lecture featuring Robin E. Bell.’ Bell is a research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and will be addressing how we keep our habitable and beautiful. The event will be held at 6:30 pm in the Diana Center Event Oval. (Barnard Events)

Documentary of the Week: The Circle, it’s literally insane, please watch it.

ah nice, more space junk via Wikimedia Commons