Page:SATCON2 Executive Summary.pdf/5



The Observations WG Report outlines implementation steps for SATCON1 Recommendations 8, 9, and 10, and takes the liberty of expanding the scope beyond mid-latitude optical/near-infrared (NIR) astronomy, because LEO satellite proliferation impacts observers worldwide at all latitudes and wavelengths. The report’s authors, a broad group composed of astronomers, educators, entrepreneurs, satellite operators, and more, endorse and aim to build on the findings of the Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society Report and Recommendations (2020). We identify that a likely avenue for implementation may be through the establishment of a new IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference, and emphasize that all steps in our report require significant overall resources on as fast a timescale as possible.

It is difficult to make accurate predictions of the location or brightness of a satellite, yet this knowledge is essential to quantifying and mitigating scientific and broader impacts. Several ad hoc observing campaigns have characterized initial impacts of growing LEO satellite constellations on astronomy, but these are poorly funded and do not scale effectively. Central to our proposal, therefore, is a new comprehensive, worldwide, coordinated, and public observing initiative: SatHub. 5