[asdefghyk]

The article mentions the problem ....

"....Rozells’ composite visually echoes pleas from astronomers, who warn that although satellites collect essential data, the staggering amount filling our skies will only worsen light pollution and our ability to study what lies beyond. Because this industry has little regulation, the problem could go unchecked....."

[CognitiveLens]

I realize it's a nit-pick, but that is not at all the common definition of light pollution as it relates to night skies.

[defrost]

It falls under clause three:

  What is light pollution

Light Pollution is the excess or inappropriate artificial light outdoors. Light pollution occurs in three ways: glare, light trespass, and skyglow.

  \* Glare is the bright and uncomfortable light shining directly to the observer that interferes with your vision.

  \* Light trespass is the unintended spill of artificial light into other people’s property or space and often becomes a source of conflict.

  \* Skyglow is the brightening of the night sky from human-caused light scattered in the atmosphere.

~ https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies/lightpollution.htm

Reflected sunlight from a human object spilling light into an environment that would otherwise not have that reflected sunlight is very much in the spirit of light pollution.

It's certainly seen as such by astronomers.

[yencabulator]

Skyglow is when you see the horizon light up in the direction of a city, not the light reflecting from a satellite. Look at the photo in your own link.

[defrost]

Let's assume I've read the link and have had discussions with both visual and radio spectrum astronomers and astrophysicists.

Starlink satellites pollute the night sky with both reflected sunlight and intended and unintended radio spectrum noise.

Manmade objects that inject light into an otherwise dark sky fit the category of skyglow, reflected sunlight tends to be sharper and less diffuse than atmospherically scattered ground lighting .. it's all extraneous human caused pollution from the PoV of telescopes.