Santa Cruz de La Palma will once again host the mayor international meeting for the protection of the skies 

Cartel del IAUS385 Symposium
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The symposium of the International Astronomical Union will be held between 2 and 6 October at the Teatro Circo de Marte in the capital of La Palma. 

There will be several events open to the public: a talk by Piero Benvenuti entitled "Protecting the sky is our duty... but what have I got to do with the Big-bang?", on Monday 2nd October at 19.30 in the Circo de Marte itself; and on Thursday 5th October, the "Starparty", with the symbolic switching off of some of the city's squares and a musical performance in the Museo Insular de La Palma.

After having to be suspended on two occasions, once due to the COVID19 pandemic and once as a consequence of the Tajogaite volcanic eruption, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will hold its 385th symposium in La Palma, entitled 'Astronomy and satellite constellations: ways forward'. The congress will take place in Santa Cruz de La Palma from the 2nd to the 6th of October, specifically in the Teatro Circo de Marte. 

This symposium is envisaged as a space where astronomers, industry and other interested parties can share the current state of their work with respect to large satellite constellations and their impact on astronomy and the night sky. 

The event is possible thanks to the collaboration of the Cabildo Insular de La Palma, the Santa Cruz de La Palma Town Council, the Starlight Foundation, the Consejería de Educación del Gobierno de Canarias, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias and the Sociedad de Promoción y Desarrollo Económico y Social de La Palma.

Presentations and panel discussions will explore the current state of studies, observations and mitigations of the impact of satellite constellations. In addition to the working sessions, the Symposium has organised numerous activities so that participants from all over the world can get to know and enjoy the island of La Palma. 

Two special activities have also been organised, open to the general public free of charge. On the one hand, the first day of the Symposium, Monday 2nd October, will close with a public talk by Piero Benvenuti, director of the IAU centre for the protection of the dark sky and against interference from satellite constellations. The title of this talk is "Protecting the sky is our duty... but what have I got to do with the Big-bang?" and it will start at 19.30 in the Teatro Circo de Marte in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Admission is free until full capacity is reached.

On the other hand, on Thursday 5 October, the "Star Party" will be held, with the symbolic switching off of the lights in some of the city's squares. This "Star Party" will be a relaxed and informal gathering where scientists, experts and astro-tourism companies will share their knowledge with all those who come along. Telescopes will be used to observe the firmament, there will be a musical performance by members of the La Palma Island School of Music who will interpret "La Tierra y las Estrellas" by the Canary Islander Luis Cobiella composed for the 10th Anniversary of the Starlight Declaration or La Palma and the international photographer Max Alexander will give a short talk, all at 21:30 in the courtyard of the Royal Convent of the Immaculate Conception (San Francisco) in the capital of La Palma.

 

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