CfDS thanks attendees and event organisers for facilitating and participating in an opinion poll on the Saturday of the Winchester Weekend. The value of the poll was to engage with members, who often had significant knowledge and ideas to share. Visual observers (of Jupiter for example) were seeing several crossings a night but imagers were finding ways around the problem. This phenomenon may be short lived because new technologies may take over. Radio observations can employ algorithms (AI) to filter satellite interference, apparently.
Results from the poll: 42 members thought CfDS should run a campaign to mitigate against the increase in light pollution and radio noise caused by satellite constellations. 5 members thought CfDS should not bother, citing various and valid reasons. Quite a few people expressed that they were fairly neutral on the issue.
My impression from the day is that it is important that we protest against the more harmful side effects of satellite constellations. A new campaign should be collaborative in nature, encouraging best practices from the space industry. However, this should not detract from light pollution campaign efforts, so new members to be sought to work on this.
British Astronomical Association
Supporting amateur astronomers since 1890
