Astronomy at the edge of the atmosphere

by Dr Alejandro Serrano Borlaff (NASA ARC-SA)

Friday Sep 4, 2026, 10:00 AM → 11:30 AM Europe/Madrid

00.303.0 - Aula 13 (Facultad de Ciencias Físicas)

Astronomy at the edge of the atmosphere

Somewhere in between Earth and Space, scientists have been performing some of the most extreme experiments ever recorded. This talk follows the history of airborne laboratories and space telescopes (Galileo, SOFIA, ASSESS, U2) focusing on the contributions of NASA and the scientists that enabled these advances by chasing eclipses, training astronauts, mapping distant galaxies, and repairing the most advanced telescopes in the world like Hubble.

We will review a new threat to that environment, the uncontrolled proliferation of satellite mega-constellations and how they might severely impact astronomy and the atmosphere. At the current rate, the Earth will be orbited by two million artificial satellites by 2040, with a tremendous impact for astronomy, the atmosphere, and our biosphere. We will analyze the growing need to protect the night sky for a sustainable use of Low Earth Orbit for both industry and science, and how you can join the scientific community to preserve the Last Frontier.