"Frustrating" – many consider the astrophotographer's magical image to be AI-generated

Brendan Larsen, a New Zealand astrophotographer, faced accusations of using AI for a stunning photo depicting the impact of satellites on the night sky. After six years of photographing, he aimed to highlight light pollution and satellite proliferation. Spending two hours capturing 587 images of the Taranaki mountain sky, he layered them using Photoshop, revealing around 1,400 satellites and 14,000 trails. His October post gained rapid popularity, attracting 15,000 followers and millions of views, sparking debates about the authenticity of AI-generated images. Larsen hopes his work will raise awareness about responsible satellite use and protect the night sky.