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Science 21 April 2000:
Vol. 288. no. 5465, pp. 443 - 445
DOI: 10.1126/science.288.5465.443
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Policy Forum

SPACE SCIENCE:
Astronomy and the Degrading Environment

Johannes Andersen

Accelerating man-made degradation of the environment is making the sky and astronomical objects harder to see. Light pollution, radio frequency interference, space debris, and activities in outer space are restricting astronomy, remote sensing, and telecommunications. Without concerted effort and international cooperation, science-based policies to establish emissions standards and similar measures to protect the space environment cannot be formulated, monitored, or enforced. All users of space need to consider the consequences of projects before irreversible actions are taken.

The author is general secretary of the International Astronomical Union, 98bis Boulevard Arago, 75014 Paris, France. E-mail: iau{at}iap.fr

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)