Responsible Telescope Siting Workshop
Astronomy is predicated on its observatories. However, many telescopes, both proposed and extant, are found in locations with religious or cultural significance, unique ecosystems that are disrupted by construction or ongoing operation, or communities who often bear the cost of supporting the facility with very little return benefit. This, in turn, has led to significant community pushback at a number of sites globally. While many astronomers care about these issues, there is currently very little guidance available for addressing them.
In August 2026, the Responsible Telescope Siting workshop, organized by Northeastern Professor Anncy Thresher and Harvard Postdoctoral Fellow Rodrigo Cordova Rosado, tackled this clear and pressing need for the field. For the first time astronomers, ethicists, social scientists, historians, impacted communities, and indigenous organizers were conveined to begin developing standardized approaches and ethical norms for responsible astronomical siting.
A grant from the Heising-Simons foundation made this workshop possible; we thank them for their generosity and support.
