I've spent a LOT of time and energy writing letters and statements to fight bad things that have already happened (I think I've written more words for the American Astronomical Society than anything else this year).
Following @susankayequinn's call to action: I need to write this book about satellite pollution! I need to tell these stories and explain this science with the hope it will make the future better.
I've only got 1 meeting today, let's see how much I can write! (This is hard)
But before I dive in to writing, here's something you can do to help save the sky! The FCC is now saying that satellites don't have to follow environmental rules because they are outside the US.
Having seen satellite pieces on the ground, seen them moving across my sky, and knowing the effects of burning them up in the atmosphere, I VERY MUCH DISAGREE.
DarkSky Int'l has posted instructions on how to submit a letter to the FCC **DUE TODAY**
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E-DHPfikf438a3tiWCNeOBThyBjBGFtXuyPcWoUVw1w/edit?usp=sharing
And they've also posted a sample letter you can copy and paste
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hNzocwXJ2nbSiAlnD8CXZdTTGFnZDdpQjAFNmUn8xrk/edit?usp=sharing
And if you live in the US, here's a very simple way to send your representatives a letter telling them that they shouldn't exempt satellites from environmental rules
Proposed rule for reference: [link] Submit a comment: Step 1: Visit [link] Step 2: Select “Express Comment” in the top navigation Step 3: Enter Proceeding: 25-217 “Modernizing the Commission’s National Environmental Policy Act Rules” will be populated Name(s) of Filer(s): [YOUR NAME] Address...
Does stuff like this actually help? Maybe not.
Does it feel good? Yes, yes it does. (Especially if you get to write a letter that's backed by the entire American Astronomical Society like I just did!)
Prof. Sam Lawler
Martin Vermeer FCD