Astronomy vs. the Billionaire Space Race
Schedule
Sat, 21 Mar, 2026 at 06:00 am
UTC+13:00Location
The Godley Hotel Lake Tekapo | Timaru, CA
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Space debris is no longer science fiction!In 2024–25, fragments from SpaceX spacecraft and Starlink satellites fell across Saskatchewan – including farmland near Regina.
Dr. Samantha Lawler (Associate Professor of Astronomy, University of Regina, Canada) has been tracking the rapid growth of satellites in Low Earth Orbit and the rising fallout – literally. Why is Saskatchewan the world’s best place to find space junk? What happens when debris lands on your farm and SpaceX staff quietly arrive to collect it?
This lecture explores the billionaire space race and its consequences for international law, atmospheric pollution, satellite operations, and the future of astronomy.
Dr. Lawler is an astronomer whose work on the Kuiper Belt and satellite pollution has been featured by BBC, CNN, The New York Times, Nature, and more. She lives on a farm outside Regina and deeply appreciates the beautiful prairie skies.
👉 Event Details:
Date/Time: Saturday 21 March, 4pm
Location: Tasman Room, Godley Hotel, Lake Tekapo
Entry: Via koha/donation
Space is limited so please RSVP: [email protected]
The Beatrice Hill Tinsley Lecture series is organised by the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand and recognises excellence in astronomy and brings leading scientists to New Zealand audiences. This event is hosted by the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
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Where is it happening?
The Godley Hotel Lake Tekapo, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, TimaruEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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