It's now official, over the next few months, I'll be transitioning in to become one of the 2 co-chairs of the American Astronomical Society's Committee on the Protection of Astronomy and the Space Environment https://compasse.aas.org/

Despite the depressing developments in orbit, this is definitely my favourite committee I've ever been on. The members are AMAZING, we GET SHIT DONE, and it's a perfect way to channel my anger about satellites into powerful and productive actions.

@OrangeR @luckytran: The best answer I've heard so far when getting asked why you're wearing a mask (or even requested to take it off):

"I have a positive IQ test".

A colleague and I wrote a big long letter to the Canadian gov't about how terrible direct-to-cell satellites are for astronomy (radio and optical). And I found out today that national groups (CASCA *and* ACURA) both officially endorsed it, and I'll find out tomorrow if CAP also endorses it.

I don't really think it'll actually help, but it's quite gratifying to finally have some official backing while yelling at gov't departments about satellites.