Speaker
Description
The deployment and operation of large constellations of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites is creating great challenges for the science of astronomy and is even producing effects on the appearance of the night sky. A large number of satellites reflecting sunlight can appear as “moving stars” in the night sky or as very bright “trails” in optical astronomy observations. Radio astronomy is also affected by the very strong radio signals beamed towards Earth (when compared to celestial radio sources), but also by the unintended radio noise that is produced by satellites as a by-product of their electrical operation. The astronomical community has reacted to this situation with two approaches, first to pursue regulation or guidelines in UN bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) or the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), and second establishing a Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS) as a collaboration between the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) and the US National Optical Infrared Laboratory (NOIRLab). While obtaining international regulation or guidelines may be a long process, good progress has been made in that respect both at the ITU-R and COPUOS. On the other hand, the IAU CPS seeks to develop a much more agile interaction, in a collaborative way between astronomers, industry and many other affected groups. It seeks to raise awareness and implement mitigation measures in the short term.
This presentation will make an introduction to the large constellations’ impact on astronomy and then it will focus on the work of the astronomical community at the ITU, UN COPUOS and the IAU CPS. We will discuss developments on Intentional and Unintentional radiation from large constellations at the ITU-R, including the ongoing work on the agenda item for the WRC-27. Following on the ongoing work at UN COPUOS with the recently established agenda item on D&QS at the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Group of Friends for D&QS. Finally we will talk about the IAU CPS, its membership, the activities of each one of the four hubs (SatHub, Industry and Technology, Policy and Community Engagement) and other recent developments. Latest activities include satellite observations, work on software tools (for avoidance and masking), and other mitigation measures implemented and in planning for optical and radio observatories.
