[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
(meteorobs) Astronomy at Risk from Space Environment Degradation
http://www.iau.org/sym196pr.html
------------------------------------
IAU Press Release 02/99
July 2, 1999:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Astronomy, a science that has been a leading engine of human progress
since ancient times, now finds itself increasingly at risk from a new type
of environmental degradation - that of space itself. Astronomers from around
the world will gather in Vienna (Austria) on July 12 - 16 to discuss the
threats of light pollution, radio interference and space debris to their
research.
"The rapidly-accelerating exploitation of space is quickly degrading an
environment that has been declared 'the common heritage of all mankind,'" says
Dr. Johannes Andersen, General Secretary of the International
Astronomical Union (IAU), and adds : "Because astronomers must use extremely
sensitive instruments to study very faint and distant objects in the universe,
they are the first to feel the effects of this degradation.
However, they will not be alone for long."
The Vienna meeting, an IAU-COSPAR-UN (International Astronomical Union -
Committee on Space Research - United Nations) Special Environmental Symposium
(IAU Symposium 196), will focus on three major threats to astronomical research.
In space, interference at radio frequencies from telecommunications satellites
and their ever-increasing demand for new wavebands cloud the future of radio
astronomy and the communication with scientific satellites. Space debris is a
growing threat to scientific satellites and also interferes with ground-based
observations.
There also are projects to launch highly luminous objects into space for
various purposes such as earth illumination and artistic, celebratory, or
advertising goals. Depending on the size, reflectivity and orbital
charateristics, they could be devastating to all of observational astronomy.
On the ground, man-made light pollution has already made large areas of the
world unsuitable for astronomical observations. Radio astronomers are now
concerned about growing levels of radio pollution and its effect on existing
and planned radio observatories.
Several causes of these problems are global in extent and irreversible in
time, so it is urgent to address them now.
Specialists from all over the world will attend the IAU Symposium at the UN
facilities in Vienna (Austria). The theme is "Preserving the Astronomical Sky"
and the meeting is part of the Technical Forum of the Third United Nations
Global Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(UNISPACE III). The theme of this conference is "Space Benefits for Humanity
in the Twenty-first Century." It is convened as a special session of the
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and is open to all
member states of the United Nations, international organizations and space
industry).
The threats to astronomy jeopardize a science that has contributed to human
progress for thousands of years. From producing the calendar that made
agriculture possible to making modern medical imaging and telecommunications
more effective, astronomy has changed life for the better in innumerable ways.
Today, astronomical research is the only way for scientists to use the "cosmic
laboratory" of the universe, containing extreme conditions of temperatures,
pressures, densities, etc., from which new insights about fundamental
physics - and possibly entire new technologies - will emerge.
In addition, understanding the nature of the Universe is one of mankind's
oldest and strongest fascinations. Observations of the sky above us have been
made at all ages, our knowledge about the Universe and its mysteries has
gradually improved and with great intellectual and technological efforts, we
have come to better understand our distant cosmic origins and amazingly small
niche in space and time. The intellectual adventure of this quest inspires
people of all ages, and is a particularly powerful tool for attracting young
people to the scientific and technical career fields that build economic
strength.
Observations at all wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, from the
ground and from space, have been vital in the phenomenal progress in all areas
of astronomy in the 20th century. They range from the exploration of the solar
system to discoveries of the echo of the Big Bang and the beginnings of
structure in the Universe. Most recently, new and powerful research facilities
have found planets around other stars and many scientists are convinced that
we may one day discover distant Earth-like abodes that could also
harbour life.
Nevertheless, continued scientific studies by all nations of the origin and
evolution of the Universe are now being jeopardized by man-made environmental
problems of rapidly growing severity.
In Vienna, the Symposium participants will hear reports of astronomers and
other scientists from many different disciplines and geographical areas about
the increasing problems; this will include a number of audio-visual
demonstrations. The participants will attempt to establish a global overview
of the current status. They will evaluate the severity of the various threats
and their progression. Where possible, constructive measures of alleviation
will be proposed. They will discuss means to call attention to the increasingly
dramatic situation. They will pass on their findings and formal recommendations
to the participants in UNISPACE III, for consideration during the impending
review and update of the UN Space Treaties that will be carried out by the
Legal Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(COPUOS) on this occasion.
--
41.087N 80.714W 305 meters
Mike DiMuzio mdimuzio@cisnet.com
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'meteorobs' email list, use the Web form at:
http://www.tiacdot net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs/subscribe.html