Media Briefing Invitation: Satellite Constellations and Astronomy, 23 July 2021
National Astronomy Meeting press release
RAS PR 21/30 (NAM 17)
22 July 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Journalists are warmly invited to attend a media briefing on “Satellite Constellations and Astronomy” at 15:00 BST on Friday 23 July, at the online National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2021).
The next decade could see up to 100,000 satellites deployed in low-Earth orbit in a series of so-called ‘megaconstellations’. These systems pose potential challenges for astronomy on the ground and in space, from harming our view of the night sky to interfering with radio astronomy. New observatories under construction at both optical and radio wavelengths are likely to be significantly affected, for example the Rubin Observatory in Chile and the Square Kilometre Array in southern Africa and Australia.
NAM 2021 includes two scientific sessions with experts in this field, covering the expected impact on astronomical facilities, observations of satellite constellations already deployed and the ongoing international political response.
*** All of these topics will be considered at the media briefing, chaired by Heidi Thiemann, Space Project Manager, Truro and Penwith College. Please contact a member of the conference press team for the Zoom login details. ***
Speakers at the briefing include:
- Heidi Thiemann (Chair), Truro and Penwith College
- Dr Connie Walker, NOIRLab and co-chair, SATCON 2 Working Group
- Dr Andy Williams, European Southern Observatory and delegate to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
- Dr Bob Watson, Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics
- James Blake, University of Warwick (studying space sustainability)
Media contacts
Dr Robert Massey
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)7802 877 699
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Dr Morgan Hollis
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)7802 877 700
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Anita Heward
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)7756 034 243
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Vittoria D'Alessio
PR and Media Manager
University of Bath
Tel: +44 (0)1225 383 135
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Notes for editors
About the National Astronomy Meeting
The Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2021) will take place online from 19 - 23 July 2021. Bringing together around 800 astronomers and space scientists, the conference is the largest annual professional astronomy and space science event in the UK, and sees leading researchers from around the world presenting their latest work.
NAM 2021 incorporates the annual meetings of the Magnetosphere Ionosphere Solar-Terrestrial (MIST) and UK Solar Physics (UKSP) groups. The conference is principally sponsored by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and the University of Bath.
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About the Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. The RAS organises scientific meetings, publishes international research and review journals, recognises outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 4,000 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.
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About the Science and Technology Facilities Council
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is part of UK Research and Innovation – the UK body which works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish. STFC funds and supports research in particle and nuclear physics, astronomy, gravitational research and astrophysics, and space science and also operates a network of five national laboratories as well as supporting UK research at a number of international research facilities including CERN, FERMILAB and the ESO telescopes in Chile. STFC is keeping the UK at the forefront of international science and has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise in materials science, space and ground-based astronomy technologies, laser science, microelectronics, wafer scale manufacturing, particle and nuclear physics, alternative energy production, radio communications and radar.
STFC's Astronomy and Space Science programme provides support for a wide range of facilities, research groups and individuals in order to investigate some of the highest priority questions in astrophysics, cosmology and solar system science. STFC's astronomy and space science programme is delivered through grant funding for research activities, and also through support of technical activities at STFC's UK Astronomy Technology Centre and RAL Space at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. STFC also supports UK astronomy through the international European Southern Observatory.
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About the University of Bath
The University of Bath is one of the UK's leading universities both in terms of research and our reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and graduate prospects.
The University is rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the Government’s assessment of teaching quality in universities, meaning its teaching is of the highest quality in the UK.
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 research assessment 87 per cent of our research was defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. From developing fuel efficient cars of the future, to identifying infectious diseases more quickly, or working to improve the lives of female farmers in West Africa, research from Bath is making a difference around the world. Find out more
Well established as a nurturing environment for enterprising minds, Bath is ranked highly in all national league tables. We are ranked 6th in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2021, and 9th in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 and 10th in the Complete University Guide 2021. Our sports offering was rated as being in the world’s top 10 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2021.