Some radio astronomers may have felt that they were entitled to 24 hours a day, but I'm happy that both sides could agree to eight. The agreement should help radio astronomy and communications' use of the spectrum to coexist productively. The telescope's ability to observe across a much greater range of frequencies, and its enhanced sensitivity, will enable a vast new range of astronomical observations of sources from asteroids to distant galaxies. But careful protection of the radio spectrum is absolutely essential to use the telescope to its fullest potential. The agreement also specifies that radio astronomers may be allotted protected slots at other times of the day if special scientific opportunities arise.
Radio interference remains an ongoing and increasing threat to astronomy.
It's vital to protect access to these very faint whispers of natural radiation that tell us so much about the universe.