Astronomers are warning that their view of the Universe could be under threat. From next week, a campaign to launch thousands of new satellites will begin in earnest, offering high-speed internet access from space. But the first fleets of these spacecraft, which have already been sent into orbit by US company SpaceX, are affecting images of the night sky.

They are appearing as bright white streaks, so dazzling that they are competing with the stars. Scientists are worried that future “mega-constellations” of satellites could obscure images from optical telescopes and interfere with radio astronomy observations. Dr Dave Clements, an astrophysicist from Imperial College London, told BBC News: “The night sky is a commons – and what we have here is a tragedy of the commons.” The companies involved said they were working with astronomers to minimise the impact of the satellites.(BBC)…[+]

Police in Kentucky are hunting whoever is responsible for killing 20 horses in an “inhumane and cruel” act that created a “battlefield for horses”. The Dumas Rescue group said some of the horses were pregnant mares, others foals including a one-year-old. It is offering a $20,000 (£15,460) reward.

The herd of about 35 horses roams over a wide area of eastern Kentucky, making the search for survivors difficult. The horses had been shot with a low-calibre weapon, police said. The bodies have been found spread out across the site, an open-cast mining area, and Dumas Rescue is covering about 4,000 acres (1,620 hectares) a day.

Killings were first reported on 16 December, with the latest six dead animals found on Sunday. The culprit could face animal cruelty charges at a minimum, according to Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt. He told WYMT: “This is very inhumane and it’s a very cruel act of somebody who just apparently had nothing else to do.”

According to the sheriff, one of the horses still had grass in its mouth when it was shot dead. Mr Hunt said that this was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty he had ever seen.(BBC)…[+]

New Zealand police are calling off the search for two bodies still missing after the White Island eruption. The volcanic eruption earlier this month killed 19 people, including two people who were never found.

It’s thought the bodies of Winona Jane Langford, 17, and Hayden Bryan Marshall-Inman, 40, are in the water off the island. Police said their decision “follows extensive shoreline and substantial aerial searches”. But despite those searches, “no further items of significance have been located”. “The families of the two missing people have been informed of this decision,” said Superintendent Andy McGregor. “Police remain ready to respond if new information comes to light.”

The eruption on White Island – a popular tourist destination – happened on 9 December. There were 47 people on the island, with 24 from Australia, nine from the US, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two from China, two from the UK, and one from Malaysia.

Last week, police released the names of 17 victims – all of them from Australia, New Zealand, or the US. They said Mr Marshall-Inman, a local tour guide, and Ms Langford, who was visiting the island with her family from Sydney, were missing but presumed dead. The eruption killed Ms Langford’s parents, Anthony and Kristine, but her brother, Jesse, survived.(BBC)…[+]

The Duke of Edinburgh has returned to Sandringham in time for Christmas after four nights in hospital. Prince Philip, 98, was taken to the King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on Friday on the advice of his doctor. Buckingham Palace said the duke had returned to the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Tuesday and thanked people for “their good wishes”.

It comes after the revelation the Queen will use her Christmas Day message to acknowledge 2019 has been “bumpy”. The monarch herself travelled to Sandringham on Friday. The palace, meanwhile, said the duke’s hospital admission had been a “precautionary measure”. Prince Philip retired from public life in August 2017 after decades supporting the Queen and attending events for his own charities and organisations. His last public appearance was Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding in May.(BBC)…[+]