UN/SKAO Workshop on Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society 2025

  Important information and deadlines:

• 30 November 2025 - Registration deadline to attend online: register here
• Registration to attend in person is now closed.
• The call for abstracts closed on 31 August 2025 and selected speakers have been informed.
• The draft programme is available here

INTRODUCTION

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.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

The workshop will provide a platform for discussion to:

• provide a status update on best practices in mitigating the impact of satellite constellations on astronomical observations;
• identify gaps and foster the advancement of prediction and measurement resources, as well as additional mitigation tools;
• share know-how and explore proposals of the satellite industry;
• showcase available approaches to encourage coordination, including licensing conditions and policies successfully developed and used in different countries, with the aim of promoting adoption of tested tools and approaches;
• raise awareness within various groups, in particular government representatives, the diplomatic community, UN and international organisations, as well as NGOs, of discussions within COPUOS and of the respective efforts of astronomers and satellite industry to find a balanced modus operandi;
• discuss the role of UNOOSA in implementing capacity-building activities and acting as a bridge between stakeholders.

The workshop will bring together stakeholders from astronomical observatories with representatives of the satellite industry, as well as space agencies, academia and the diplomatic community to promote networking and discussions of both policy and technical means to enable both astronomy and satellite projects to flourish.

PROGRAMME

Click here to access the programme at a glance.

Find more information here: UN/SKAO Workshop on dark and quiet skies for science and society 2025