A fresh pith establish by the International Astronomical Union is search to protect the stake of uranologist as the number of satellites in Earth orbit continues to climb .
The Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference , announcedFebruary 2 , will be host by theNational Optical - Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory(NOIRLab ) and theSquare Kilometre Array Organization(SKAO ) . NOIRLab will concern itself with optical astronomy , while SKAO will look into issues related to radio astronomy .
“ The new Centre is an important step towards ensure that technological advance do not unwittingly impede our report and enjoyment of the sky , ” Debra Elmegreen , the president of IAU , said in astatement . “ I am convinced that the Centre co - hosts can facilitate globose coordination and bring together the necessary expertness from many sectors for this vital travail . ”
A long-exposure image showing a Starlink satellite train as viewed from Kansas on 1 May 2025.Photo: Reed Hoffmann (AP)
The Centre will encourage satellite provider to minimize short pollution and other forms of astronomical hindrance , boost governments and land officials to best determine this blooming manufacture , and support the global biotic community of astronomers who are now having to deal with problems make by satellite interference .
Jessica West , a aged researcher on space security measure at Project Ploughshares , a Canadian pacification and security research institute , said we ’re reaching the point where our power to observe space is being significantly harmed .
“ This is a big problem , ” she wrote to me in an email . “ Astronomy is key to our exploration and use of space , rich space navigation , planetary defense from asteroids , and our cognition of the Earth , Solar System , and Universe . And watching the night sky is core to who we are as humans . Losing that is a loss for every single individual around the world . ”
" It is so settle " thus commence the 59th Session of the UN#COPUOSScience and Technical Subcommittee with adding a novel agenda item on Dark and Quiet Skies ! The first time ever an uranology issue makes it formally on the schedule of the UN Space committee.pic.twitter.com/viIa6BArRy
— Andy Williams ( @Andy4Science)February 7 , 2022
The cost of launching rockets and building satellite has never been lower . This is lead in a mad rush to claim select veridical estate in Earth orbit , as it now represent a viable place to do business sector . The individual sphere ’s use of big fleet of interconnected planet to provide broadband net to paying client is presently the most dominant example . Elon Musk has taken an other lead in this race for distance , as SpaceX has now launched more than2,000Starlink satellites , with plans to launch at least 2,400 more . London - based OneWeb has launched hundreds of similar satellites , while Jeff Bezos’sProject Kuiperand theEuropean Unionintend to do the same .
The problem with so many satellites up there is that they ’re messing with optical and radio observations . Long exposure at ocular wavelength are particularly bear upon ; research from last month found adramatic increasein the number of image taken during the twilight hours that contained bar triggered by Starlink orbiter . That ’s a trouble for uranology , but also for our security ; view of the view at dusk and dawn are critical for detecting threatening near - Earth objects . At the same clock time , radio set interference produced by planet information downlinks could make it difficult to study the cosmic microwave background signal , for example .
Hence this coordinated response from astronomers . The IAU is position the new Center as the “ the run voice for astronomic issue that relate to the protection of the dark and smooth sky from satellite constellation and to act as a hub of information and resources to which any stakeholder group will be capable to give and from which they can take out in documentation of their own activities . ”
Accordingly , the group will call upon astronomers , satellite operator , politics regulators , and the wider residential district to get involve . artificial satellite society will be asked to provide more information about their distance - based asset , such as coordinates and prefigure movement . The chemical group will also help astronomers to administer with associated problems , like cater software to slay optical artifacts from scope images . The Centre will also promote an open forum to hash out voluntary measures , such as reducing the reflection factor of satellites and for satellite companies to use high , less obtrusive orbits .
West harmonise that solution subsist .
“ It ’s a not a interrogation of satellite versus astronomy , but rather how to intermediate the different needs and sake and values that coalesce in outer place , include those that are less powerful , ” she explained . “ This requires open negotiation and co-ordinated and corporate activity . The external astronomy biotic community is show us how to do this . And the world is listening . This is a critical moment for space organization . ”
This is a good and necessary starting item . Astronomers and governor are presently behind in this battle for space , if that ’s a fair way to depict it , with satellite operators , for the most part , presently setting the rule . And by rules , I mean no rules — hence the problem . The IAU ’s new Center has very good intentions . allow ’s hope the relevant stakeholder are hear and unforced to respond .
More : Elon Musk ’s Starlink Is Causing More Streaks to Appear in Space Images .
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