Hosted by The Kimball Smith Series and the Yale Astronomical & Space Student Society (YASSS) in partnership with Yale Department of Physics and Wright Lab.
Yale community members of all disciplines and levels of expertise are encouraged to attend.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Event Description:
As satellite constellations multiply and commercial space activity accelerates, astronomers face new challenges to their ability to observe the universe. Join Dr. Laura Newburgh, a leading experimental cosmologist at Yale, for a conversation on the evolving relationship between space innovation and observational astronomy.
Dr. Newburgh’s work spans the cosmic microwave background and 21-cm radio cosmology, including major projects like CHIME, HIRAX, and the Simons Observatory. Her research pushes the frontier of our understanding of dark energy and the structure of the early universe.
Some key topics include:
- How satellite proliferation impacts ground-based and radio astronomy
- The scientific trade-offs posed by increased commercial and governmental space activity
- The broader ethical and policy questions raised by the rush to occupy Earth’s orbital commons
The conversation will be followed by audience Q&A and small-group discussion.