Hackers hit two of the largest telescopes in the world

Two of the world’s largest and most advanced telescopes, one in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere, have been temporarily disabled due to a cyberattack of unknown origin.

The US Optical and Infrared Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), part of the National Science Foundation, also announced that hackers who penetrated its networks on 1^the August led to the closure of the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii and the Gemini South telescope in Chile.

The operation of two smaller telescopes at Cerro Tololo in Chile was also affected.

“Our staff is working with cybersecurity experts to get our telescopes and website working again,” NOIRLab said in a statement. His announcement.

But until now, the origin and target of the electronic hack have not been determined.

The cyber attack occurred a few days before the United States Issue a warning To the risk of cyber attacks on airlines and space research laboratories.

The warning said the hackers and spies “are aware of the importance of the commercial space industry to the U.S. economy and national security, including the growing dependence of critical infrastructure on space assets.”

As he pointed out Space.com websiteCyberattacks on Gemini telescopes are not the first of their kind: in October 2022, hackers affected the operation of the ALMA radio telescope in Chile.

NASA has also fallen victim to numerous cyberattacks.