Dark and Quiet Skies for the Future of Astronomy and of the Space Environment

Dramatic rises in ground-based light pollution in recent years as well as increasingly congested low-Earth orbits are leading to brightening night skies worldwide and to a wide range of consequences impacting astronomical observations, space traffic management, Earth and space environments, human and ecological health, and cultural sky traditions. Here, we introduce the American Astronomical Society’s Committee to Protect Astronomy and the Space Environment (COMPASSE; formerly the Committee on Light Pollution, Radio Interference and Space Debris or LPRISD). We share the diversity of our current initiatives and advocacy areas: professional astronomy; briefings for federal agencies and international advisory bodies; legal-policy recommendations; regional dark-sky advocacy; engagement with a broad range of communities beyond professional astronomy that are reliant on dark and quiet skies (amateur astronomers, environmental groups, Indigenous communities); and, creation of educational materials to help AAS members and the public understand the issues and what we are doing. Many of these issues and related solutions will be increasingly relevant with the rapid growth of planned initiatives in orbital and cislunar space. We end by emphasizing the need for continued research/education collaboration between astronomers, policymakers and all impacted stakeholders to protect ground- and space-based astronomy, the heritage of dark skies, and the environment of space for future generations.