Astronomer watches Starlink satellites sinking to build a 'planetary barometer'

Dr. Tony Phillips has developed a method to use SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation as a "planetary barometer" by analyzing orbital decay data to track atmospheric expansion and contraction caused by solar activity and geomagnetic storms. By monitoring the drag term (B*) in satellite tracking data from Starlink and other constellations, Phillips can measure how Earth's atmosphere responds to solar radiation and geomagnetic events with approximately a two-day lag. This novel approach repurposes existing satellite data to create a real-time, public atmospheric monitoring index without requiring new instruments.