• A recent SpaceNews opinion article argued that it is time to “take astronomy off Earth • " The suggestion is straightforward: If satellite constellations and commercial space activity threaten ground-based astronomy, perhaps astronomers should simply move their work into space • As current, incoming and past presidents of the American Astronomical Society, we feel impelled to respond • As leaders in our professional field, we have spent countless hours in the rooms where decisions are made that shape humanity’s ability to understand the universe - at NASA, the National Science Foundation and the National Academies • We share the concern that motivates the recent commentary: We must protect our ability to observe the cosmos we are part of • But the idea that astronomy can simply relocate off Earth misunderstands how modern astronomy works and sidesteps deeper questions about how companies are choosing to operate in space

Article Summaries:

  • A recent SpaceNews opinion article argued that it is time to “take astronomy off Earth.” The suggestion is straightforward: If satellite constellations and commercial space activity threaten ground-based astronomy, perhaps astronomers should simply move their work into space. As current, incoming and past presidents of the American Astronomical Society, we feel impelled to respond. As leaders in our professional field, we have spent countless hours in the rooms where decisions are made that shape humanity’s ability to understand the universe - at NASA, the National Science Foundation and the N

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