#Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society
Boardroom D
United Nations, Vienna, Austria
In 2024 the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee (STSC) of COPUOS agreed to include the item entitled "Dark and quiet skies, astronomy and large constellations: addressing emerging issues and challenges" on its provisional agenda for its sessions from 2025 to 2029. During previous years, UNOOSA had worked closely with Members of the Committee, the astronomy community including the SKAO, and the wider space community, to raise awareness of the value of dark and quiet skies.
This joint workshop will provide an overview of activities carried out by astronomers and satellite operators as well as manufacturers to minimise the impact of satellites on the astronomical sciences. The discussion will encompass both mitigation measures against the effect of low-earth orbiting satellites crossing the field of view of optical telescopes as well as potential radio-frequency interference with radio astronomy observations. The workshop will also aim to identify and encourage the advancements in prediction and measurements resources, and additional mitigation tools. In addition, the legal and regulatory aspects of keeping skies dark and quiet will be explored.
The workshop will bring together the community of astronomers expert in this topic, stakeholders from the satellite industry that develop or deploy mitigation measures to reduce their impact on astronomy and the diplomatic community preparing technical and legal contributions to COPUOS and its sub-Committee meetings. Participants to STSC (2 to 13 February 2026, Vienna), are particularly encouraged to participate.
This workshop will be co-hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Square Kilometre Array Observatory.
