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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 10/10/2026

New super-luminous Quasar* found in unusual environment, in this new study I will prove hyper-soft environments are condusive to.... *Quasar is the name of the cat #Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Cats

Quasar the all black cat is brightly illuminated by a sunbeam as she sits in a quiescent manner atop 2 stacked suitcases

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 09/10/2026

Still the best place to have my coffee on campus! So glad the installation finally went through for our Sundial this year!

The STAIRS (sundial) at York University with the observatory in the background.

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 16/09/2026

Today is the day! 4 years of planning and THE STAIRS are in. Nicely aligned with the #telescope too! www.yorku.ca/science/observatory/su… (pictures will be updated soon on the website) @AllanICarswellObservatory #Sundial #solar #observatory #science #yorkuniversity

The STAIRS Sundial on York campus, freshly placed it's about 9 ft tall and cast in bronze with a unique design based on the schmoyer sunquist sundial. The observatory is in the background between a few trees

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/09/2026

Definitely trapped here with my coffee, nope cannot move, its not allowed. This is giving me life back in the form of a 5 minute break, really needed, #cats are awesome #catstodon #CatsOfMastodon #CatsOfFediverse #Caturday

A helpful orange brown white chaos cat named Nili Fossae floops down laying on the floor lengthwise blocking both my feet. It is obviously I am not allowed to move

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 22/08/2026

Just a few more weeks and this big bronze beaut will be upright and next to the telescopes! Anyone recognize the design? Hint: should be accurate to within 5 minutes and over 9ft high #astronomy #science #education #astrodon #solar #timekeeping #Sundial

A series of bronze segments with a steel frame forming an arc in a workshop. Some roman numerals are just visible. Image credit: AtrCast, AICO

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 20/08/2026

Why yes, I would love to get pricing estimates for this grant application finished but unfortunately I am busy.... cat alogging ... so I've pawsed for today #CatsOfMastodon #Cats #catstodon #CatsOfFediverse #pets

A cat named Nili Fossae in the colors of martian chaotic terrain stretches out in a convincing log impression on a blue blanket

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 12/08/2026

A fun #solareclipse coincidence, around the same time that I was getting #partialsolareclipse pictures today in #Toronto my relatives in Europe sent their photo! Can you guess which one was #Canada? (answers in the image description) #science #astronomy #Astrodon #solar #eclipse2026

A thin red crescent marking the partial solar eclipse in Europe. The red color is due to the filter being used, in this case a pair of solar safe viewing glasses over an iPhone

A white disk of the Sun with what looks like a tiny tiny tiny bite taken out of the top. Lots of Canadian clouds nearly blocking the view but the eclipse is just visible here in Toronto.

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 05/08/2026

On Einstein crater with our 1m telescope, fingers crossed we catch the impact tonight! If anyone wants to join in we'll go live on YouTube around 2am (impact expected around 2:35). Our link is here: m.youtube.com/@YorkUObservatory #Astrodon #moon #falcon9 #science #astronomy #yorkuniversity

An image of the moon taken with the Allan I Carswell Observatory 1m telescope, zoomed in on Einstein crater region where the Falcon9 is expected to impact!

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 25/07/2026

TFW you get to use a 1950s survey scope to pin azimuth for true north on an incoming Sundial. A bit of fun, this Wild Heerbrug T3 (yes, that's its name) #canada government scope was donated to #yorkuniversity in 1980s, when the original York Sundial still […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

T3 survey telescope atop the sundial pier with the Allan I Carswell Observatory in the background, the T3 is mounted on a yellow tripod and is not yet aligned to the sun.

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 20/07/2026

60: Groovy skies tonight, you dig it? 1m: Umm why yes, but what's that noise you're making? 60:I'm golden with these gears but hey we can't all be cherry. 1m:You can say that again, my pointing model is already off... 60 from the 60's vs 1m from 2019 last […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

The 1m and 60cm telescope domes both open at the Allan I Carswell Observatory. You can see the 60cm waving hello

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 13/07/2026

What happens when your observatory is visited by 60 little 12 year olds? Well, among other things they can build you a Mars Rover branded with telescope stickers, so cute! Everyone buy Astro Fair tickets this year so we can run more of these events! […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

A little Mars Rover made from cardboard and tape with an Allan I Carswell Observatory sticker on the side!

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/07/2026

cat nose for #Caturday she's coming in for hugs and knuffels and doesn't take prisoners! The last thing you'll see before you're pinned down...

The cat nose of Nili Fossae, the chaotic but affectionate cat princess of Canada

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 21/06/2026

Our solstice noon observatory alignment @AllanICarswellObservatory Love that the #observatory itself is it's own calendar ☀️ Here's to the nights getting longer again! #solstice #summersolstice #astronomy #Astrodon #science #solar

The allsky camera @AllanICarswellObservatory@pixelfed.social showing the sun position near noon during the 2026 summer solstice in Toronto

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2026

Classic Toronto sky behavior during research observations, our occultation is in there somewhere.... #astronomy #Astrodon #TorontoWeather #science #observatory #clouds

Photograph from the Allan I Carswell Observatory allsky camera showing totally cloudy stormy skies, a thunderstorm with lightning is forecast

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 23/05/2026

2 cat achievement unlocked for #Caturday ! An unstable solution to the 3 body problem has been found. #catstodon #CatsOfFediverse #Cats #science #CatsOfMastodon #physics

2 cats who only tolerate each other a little bit, one named Nili Fossae and one named Quasar, sitting on the same chair as a pair of human legs, a very unstable but fluffy situation

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 08/05/2026

That special #astronomy feeling when your new Halpha filter arrives, is installed in the #telescope and.... it's totally cloudy all week 😂 #Toronto #weather #science #Astrodon #observatory #yorkuniversity #hydrogenalpha @AllanICarswellObservatory

the cloudy cloudy allsky camera from the Allan I Carswell Observatory

A fancy new h alpha filter still in its box just before being installed on our SBIG filter wheel at the Allan I Carswell Observatory

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/05/2026

The first step of the new 8m Sundial is piqueing my sunny astronomy interest! Fingers crossed for a finished installation this summer at #yorkuniversity For enthusiasts it will be based on the Shmoyer Sunquist Sundial design and should be fairly high […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

A cement pad with construction cones in front of the Allan I Carswell Observatory on a sunny day

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 24/04/2026

family moose license has been obtained. We're all #canadian now! Yes, the cat is holding the flag... and no, I can't get her to do it again 😅 #canada #citizenship #toronto 🇨🇦 #Cats

Multicolor cat named Nili Fossae who is orange and brown with white paws and belly, actually holding a tiny Canada flag and sniffing the handle. She is a very dexterous and good cat.

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 24/04/2026

Colouring for #science! Our booklet is out for the observatory, support telescopes and even get it delivered *(location depending on what our bookstore supports). To buy online, the direct link is […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Coloured pages by observatory volunteers, pages are from our new all ages booklet. funds raised support free tours and repairs!

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 18/04/2026

Weekend reading thoughts. Human brains, and the ease of deception when in a area outside our expertise. How many scientists are as easily fooled? As many as are not experts in trickery (even then..) How many today buy into #AI magical thinking? As many who […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

cover of the book: 'A magician among the spirits' by Houdini, showing Houdini's face in black and white with a yellow border.

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 17/04/2026

me, a serious person, professoring away on sabbatical* *spends 1 week compiling 14 page coloring booklet for serious astronomy reasons other than creative copyright commons do other tiny booklet #mastodon printers have publishing suggestions? #astronomy […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

the cover page of my all ages (5 and up) colouring booklet showing the 3 largest telescopes at the Allan I Carswell Observatory half as image and half as outline with a starry backdrop. 'Presented by Dr. EA Hyde, Hector Jimenez Sanabia, Arthana Sri Renganathan, S. Basovich'

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 09/04/2026

Our crew at the observatory has CAPTURED THE ORION SPACECRAFT... despite the weather in #Toronto #canada ... the low position of #ArtemisII in the sky and having had to take the science ccd off for repairs. Enjoy everyone, now you too can wave at the pixel […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

A still from the Allan I Carswell Observatory 1m telescope showing the position of the Orion craft on the background stars as featured in the video link. There's an arrow annotated to point at it and text that says 'Orion Craft, Artemis II'

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/03/2026

@AllanICarswellObservatory My first attempt at an allsky gif, the lunar eclipse montage! #lunareclipse

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 22/02/2026

Just the sound of cold metal creaking and the wind this #SilentSunday Icy, cloudy, snowy #telescopes in #Toronto... with conditions like this we just wrap up warmly and work on data reduction! Here's the 1m telescope with its winter parka on 😄 (its to […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

2 views of the Allan I Carswell Observatory 1m telescope showing it covered by a tarp, it looks cold and it is!

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 20/02/2026

One of my favorite things about #astronomy is how well it goes with #art and spacing out generally. Since I can't go into the telescopes atm, had a bit of fun. Def recommend #watercolour paints for #planets . Obviously these ones are destined for a fabulous […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 15/02/2026

Happy giant monster battles and chocolate covered strawberries day to all who celebrate! #monsterdon #valentinesday #kaiju #valentine #movies #pacificrim #fediverse

Pacific Rim (the first one) by Guillermo Del Toro, dvd menu screen showing the jager robot

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 14/02/2026

After about a month in hospital and all the snowstorms and physiotherapy I had kinda forgotten about my little flower mascot from the #snowstorm of 2025, after all that... The petals are STILL HANGING IN THERE. New plant based #winterolympics might have to […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

a beleaguered rose, hanging in there with a few petals during February!!! in Toronto!

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 17/01/2026

thank goodness its #caturday .... one of my favorite features of the #fediverse Here's the resident box inspector of our house, the indomitable Nili Fossae checking over her domain #CatsOfMastodon #cats

A small mixed color cat sitting inside a box of boxes, doing a cat survey of the cardboard

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 09/01/2026

Got to catch up on one of the classics, Brocca's Brain by Carl Sagan, a bit indulgent at times but still quite good, and this bit on the last page, well... "We are set irrevocably, I believe on a path that will take us to the stars - unless in some monstrous […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

A picture of the cover of the book Broca's Brain by Carl Sagan showing the outline of a face with space images behind

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 06/01/2026

pro-tip, when in hospital, spy on #telescopes as often as possible, love this #moon over domes from last night! FYI, anyone who needs the link the scopes for @AllanICarswellObservatory can be found at: www.yorku.ca/science/observatory/ob… […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

The Allan I Carswell Observatory all sky camera showing the moon rising spectacularly over the 2 domes of the observatory

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/01/2026

cranberry juice toast for happy new years #fediverse, my resolution is to make sure all of my high tech mechanical work is telescopic rather than medical 😅 here's to clear skies ahead! #newyear #resolutions #newyearsresolution #NewYear2026

cranberry juice in a cup, pointed out a hospital window

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 21/12/2025

in a rousing story of #canadian tenacity, the #Toronto snow has melted a bit and our rose is still there! Just in case anyone needed a bit of inspiration to ring in the winter #solstice today. Sometimes just hanging in there gets you pretty far 💫 […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

a somewhat bedraggled rose in Toronto, having survived all the early snows of Nov, the -20C nights, and made it to the Dec21 solstice, 2025

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 14/12/2025

its -9C today, feels like -19... but our little super rose is still going! might even make it to Christmas at this rate! just in case anyone needs a bit of inspiration this #SilentSunday #winterwonderland #toronto #flowers #ontario #inspiration

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 10/12/2025

There was a terrible shortage of #DnD alignment memes for #telescopes .... based on mirror configuration and overall situation, here is the 100% accurate guide. I am pleased to note @AllanICarswellObservatory is lawful good, tag yourselves 😄💫 #science #memes […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

a dnd alignment chart for telescope mirrors based on the images from the open source ccc chart at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremely_large_telescope

JWST is lawful evil, obviously

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 07/12/2025

now in true epic form I would like to report that the #toronto super rose is, in fact, still hanging in there. Starting to look a bit sad though... this flower is def my 2025 wrapped macot now. #winter #snowing #ontario #2025wrapped #flowerphotography #SilentSunday

a rose in Toronto, snow in background. the flower looks more bedraggled compared to previous photos in the thread

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 05/12/2025

In fun #observatory news, I got our @AllanICarswellObservatory telescope allsky camera on our website! You'll know when we are open Youll know when we are closed You'll know if the skies are bad or good so hope for good for goodness sake […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

The allsky image of the Allan I Carswell observatory on Dec5, cloudy!

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/11/2025

ok, this is now turning a bit epic... #fediverse I would like to announce that the #toronto snow rose is STILL THERE! Flower power! 😄

a slightly bedraggled and somehow still attached rose out in the snows of Toronto, still refusing to submit to the icy weather

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/11/2025

@sundogplanets honestly, top recommendations are, electolyte powder (Ener-C or similar), mouse w retractable cable, wipes in a resealable pouch and one of the multi-adapters with slide in/out plugs. I found a cheap round plastic one ages ago and been carting […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

picture of random plug adapter w slider bars to choose the plug so will fit pretty much any socket

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 09/11/2025

First snow in #toronto and someone forgot to tell the rosebush! A perfect day to stay inside by all counts 😄 #snowy #weather #winteriscoming #SilentSunday #wintertijd #ontario

A lightly snowy urban scene with a rosebush that has a single flowering (and overly optimistic) rose.

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 06/11/2025

Announcing: AICO STELLAR SCHOLARS at York U #mastodon #fediverse help me get the word out! I have been working on this awhile so excited to launch! #astronomy #Astrodon #education Current modules focus on astronomy for students in grades 7-10, although we […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

The Stellar Scholars banner, showing our telescopes with a background astrophotography image. The site is: https://stellarscholars.wixstudio.com/stellar-scholars

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 19/10/2025

Very high quality acrobatic relaxation techniques on display from my definetly-not-headless fluff ball today. Nili Fossae named for the chaotic terrain is living up to her reputation this #SilentSunday #CatsOfMastodon #caturday #cats #SundayVibes #YogaSelfie

A multicolor cat named Nili Fossae w a white belly sleeping on her own head, because she can

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 15/10/2025

In fun #academia ...the conference at University of Waterloo managed one of my new favorite acronymns: Galaxy Evolution and Environment in Southern and Eastern Ontario (GEESE-ON) Of course the campus did not dissapoint! #GeeseOfMastodon #canada #astronomy […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

2 geese at University of Waterloo, presumably also there for the galaxy conference as they did not try to bite me

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 07/10/2025

Finally getting some #fall weather for the #telescopes ... unfortunately rain expected soon! It looks like data reduction season has arrived in #toronto ✨️💫✨️ #astronomy #Astrodon #observatory #allanicarswellobservatory #science

The Allan I Carswell Observatory domes with fall colors on the trees in the foreground

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 13/09/2025

when you go camping at a dark sky preserve for #astronomy but its #caturday and you scroll back to your last best kitten picture... in the darkness of this space hides a Quasar* and she is mighty! *name of the cat in question #CatsOfMastodon #CatsOfFediverse

there is a black brick fireplace with a black curtain hiding a black cat, do not worry, the fireplace is inactive!

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 31/08/2025

temped to buy this just for the 'sudo' name alone, so many possible uses lol... #sudo #computing #commandline #code

bottle that says 'sudocrem', soothes heals and protects...

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 23/08/2025

nothing helps an absolute total burnout quite as much as a nice squishy faced #caturday sleep session. I am currently studying under a master of naps, hoping to level up* soon... *double naps unlock at lvl 3! #naps #saturday #burnout

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AstroHyde @astrohyde.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 19/07/2025

A bit of fun for the weekend, I found the article for ohai.social/@MeanwhileinCanada/1148… According to Figure1 of this paper there's a definite moose probability in #toronto 0.001-0.039 mooses, haven't spotted one yet but there was a […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Moose density as shown in Figure1 of the paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/EXPANDING-GIS-ANALYSES-TO-MONITOR-AND-ASSESS-NORTH-Jensen-Smith/c89b43141aefa15672d3a6b40c4341babe70a646

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