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IAU CENTRE FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE DARK AND QUIET SKY FROM SATELLITE CONSTELLATION INTERFERENCE

CPS

News

Major U.S. Grant Awarded to CPS-led Satellite Mitigation Project

Major U.S. Grant Awarded to CPS-led Satellite Mitigation Project

Aug. 8, 2024
U.S. National Science Foundation awards $750,000 to project led by the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference to minimize the science impact…
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United Nations Agrees to Address Impact of Satellite Constellations on Astronomy

United Nations Agrees to Address Impact of Satellite Constellations on Astronomy

March 14, 2024
After several years’ work by astronomers affiliated with the IAU CPS, a key UN body agreed last week to put on their agenda the issue of satellite constellations' impact on astronomy.
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CPS Urges Action In First Recommendations Paper

CPS Urges Action In First Recommendations Paper

March 14, 2024
The International Astronomical Union’s centre of expertise on satellite constellations has set out its position on how to address the impact of these constellations on astronomy
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Our mission is to protect the sky

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is deeply concerned about the increasing number of launched and planned satellite constellations in mainly low Earth orbits. The IAU embraces the principle of a dark and radio-quiet sky, not only as essential to advancing our understanding of the Universe of which we are a part, but also for the cultural heritage of all humanity and for the protection of nocturnal wildlife.

The IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS) coordinates collaborative multidisciplinary international efforts with institutions and individuals and works across multiple geographic areas to help mitigate the negative impact of satellite constellations on ground-based optical and radio astronomy observations as well as on humanity’s enjoyment of the night sky.

10
Launched Satellite Constellations
6718
Operational Constellation Satellites
7422
Total Launched Constellation Satellites
21
Satellite Constellations in Planning
555127
Planned Constellation Satellites
30
Contributing CPS Members
166
Affiliated CPS Members

What People Say?

Protecting the sky is the core mission because without sky there is no science of astronomy

— Willy Benz, International Astronomical Union President-Elect.

Interference of our view of the sky caused by ground-based artificial lights, optical and infrared trails of satellite constellations and radio transmission on the ground and in space is an existential threat to astronomical observations

— Debra Elmegreen, International Astronomical Union President.

The deployment of thousands of satellites in low earth orbit in the coming years will inevitably change this landscape by creating a much larger number of fast-moving radio sources in the sky, which will interfere with humanity's ability to explore the Universe.

— Philip Diamond, SKAO Director-General.

Technical advances are also propelling explosive growth in global communication satellites. We can balance these to ensure that dark and quiet skies are protected for all humanity.

— Pat McCarthy, Director of NSFʼs NOIRLab.

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+33 1 43 25 83 58
Address
98-bis Blvd Arago, F–75014 Paris
Email
info@cps.iau.org