ECSL Members' Happy Hour December 2022 - Report
For the third instalment of the Members' Happy Hour which focused on 'dark and quiet skies', ECSL had the honour of welcoming Mark McCaughrean, Senior Advisor for Science & Exploration at the European Space Agency, responsible for communicating results from ESA’s astronomy, heliophysics, planetary, and exploration missions to the scientific community and wider public for the Agency. ECSL members had the chance to ask Mark questions before discussing legal aspects of a 'dark and quiet sky'.
Looking up at the stars and spotting constellations, both professionally and as a hobby, is done daily by space enthusiasts and scientists around the world – however, astronomy is not only one of the oldest human sciences but is essential for many current activities which are threatened to be diminished as a result of human activity, both from ground-based pollution, which includes light pollution, as well as from pollution in our skies, including airplanes and the impeding threat of satellites in low-Earth orbit. Light pollution largely affects everyone's ability to view the night sky.
Showcasing the technical aspects of the issues of light pollution provided the basis for ECSL members present, consisting of students, lawyers, academics and other professionals, to ponder on the need for legal and regulatory considerations pertaining to the issue of dark and quiet skies and the capacity of different actors and operators to conduct such measures, as well as ask pointed technical and legal questions. The ECSL is happy to continue the happy hour series in the new year and wishes all of its members happy holidays and a good rest of the year.
