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Dr. Charity Woodrum

@charitywoodrum.bsky.social
1.3K followers 343 following 96 posts

✨ NASA Astrophysicist ✈️ Private Pilot 📍 Washington, DC www.charitywoodrum.com 🌵 PhD in astrophysics from the University of Arizona 🦆 BS in physics from the University of Oregon

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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Gift article, please read! www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/s...
nytimes.com
They’re Going to the Moon and They Know Not Everyone Is With Them
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Hey DMV area, I’m the host of Science Cafe at Busboys and Poets. Come to our event next week! www.busboysandpoets.com/events/th-ev...
busboysandpoets.com
Science Cafe: The Artistic Journey Into Physics | Busboys and Poets
Join us for the Busboys and Poets Science Cafe where we will have an array of scientists coming to share their research with the public with plenty of time for questions and discussions with the audie...
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Thank you for the lovely article! @stewardobservatory.bsky.social @uarizona.bsky.social @uazresearch.bsky.social Bear Down! Proud Wildcat astrophysicist here ❤️💙 astro.arizona.edu/news/followi...
astro.arizona.edu
Following the Stars: Where Charity Woodrum Is Now | Steward Observatory
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Please share this with folks pursuing physics at the University of Oregon! I started an enrichment fund and mentorship program in honor of my late son. Folks that are historically excluded from STEM are strongly encouraged to apply.
Flyer for Woody’s Stars. Applications open now and due November 3rd. $2500 yearly funding and mentorship program for University of Oregon physics students. Funds are allocated to opportunities that accelerate academic and professional learning. Underrepresented groups in the field of physics and those pursuing astronomy are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information, see www.woodysstars.org
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Spent my day talking to Congress to #SaveNASAScience with Bill Nye and The Planetary Society
Selfie of 5 humans including author of this post on the far left and Bill Nye “the science guy” in the center
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
I’m framing this! It’s a rejection letter. I applied to the astronaut program and was not selected. I’ve never been so proud of a rejection. I didn’t get it, but I was qualified to apply, and I’m proud of that.
Screenshot of an email from NASA addressed to Charity Woodrum. It starts by saying “Thank you for applying for the Astronaut Candidate Program. I regret to inform you that you have northern selected. As you may know, over 8,000 applications…”
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Sarah Kendrew @sarahkendrew.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
The petition link is in the article - if you’re in the local DMV community you can sign for support!
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Dr. Tessa Fisher @tessafisher.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Listened to @radiolab.bsky.social's episode on @charitywoodrum.bsky.social's path to astrophysics, and it reminded me a lot of my wife's trajectory--started out as a veterinarian, got completely emotionally burnt out, went back to school, and is now pursuing a PhD in physics on neutrino physics
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Gabriel Bosslet @gbosslet.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Holy crap this was a good @radiolab.bsky.social Kudos to @lutimestwo.bsky.social and @charitywoodrum.bsky.social Honestly just loved this storytelling open.spotify.com/episode/560q...
open.spotify.com
Galaxy Quenching
Radiolab · Episode
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Peter Gao @planetarygao.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Carl Sagan: We’re all stardust Evil Carl Sagan: We’ll all be stardust
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R. Scott Rogers @arrscott.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
This is a must-listen podcast episode. Dr. Woodrum’s personal story is devastating and inspiring, yes, but her science is at least as compelling. I’m left in total awe and yearning to learn more about quiescent galaxies and late star formation.
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Augusto Carballido @astroabc.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Dr. Woodrum’s story is inspirational. It reminded me why space is worth exploring: love.
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Dr. Amber Straughn (she/her) @astraughnomer.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Give this a listen for sure. So grateful to work with Charity at NASA Goddard - she is an incredible scientist and amazing human! ❤️
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sanjana! @sanjanacurtis.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
There are some people who are a light in this world. When sad things happen around us or to us, and cynicism starts to creep in, we can look to them and still see the best of humanity. Charity is one of those people. Please give this beautiful radiolab episode a listen ❤️
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Sharon "Screams in Perimenopause" Z @sharonz.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
This episode was so moving in the most beautiful ways but do have many tissues on hand. Thank you so much Dr. Woodrum for sharing your story.
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BONBOM @bbonniecrawfordd.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
I listened to this episode on my walk through herring run yesterday and was full on sobbing ugly tears when I crossed paths with a guy walking his dog and I had to reassure him I was ok, just listening to a very moving podcast. He was cute about it- said he was about to ask if everything was ok 🥴
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Sarah Kendrew @sarahkendrew.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
🔭
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
I am honored to be on this week’s episode of Radiolab! The host @lutimestwo.bsky.social gets excited about galaxies with me! We talk about finding light in the darkest places, both for my research and my life. Lulu was so kind talking about my personal life and so intelligent discussing my research.
radiolab.org
Galaxy Quenching
In the midst of unthinkable grief, an unthinkable discovery.
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Swiffy @swiffy.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
I wasn't ready for the latest Radio lab featuring astronomer @charitywoodrum.bsky.social, who lost her two boys. The science was great, but the episode wrecked me
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
RIP Andrea Gibson
A difficult life is not less 
worth living than a gentle one. 
Joy is just easier to carry than sorrow, 

and you could lift a city
from how long you’ve spent holding
what’s been nearly impossible to hold. 

But this world needs those who know
how to do that. Those who can find 
a tunnel with no light at the end 
of it and hold it up like a telescope 

to show that the darkness contains 
many truths that can bring the light 
to its knees. 

Grief astronomer, adjust the lens, 
look close, tell the world
what you see.

Andrea Gibson
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Yvette Cendes @whereisyvette.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
MY FIRST EVER ARTICLE FOR SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN IS OUT!!! It's all about how black holes shred stars and how we discovered that black holes "burp" after eating them, and even includes a black hole called Jetty McJetface! What's not to love? 🤩 www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-... 🔭🧪🎢
scientificamerican.com
Cosmic Indigestion Is Causing Black Holes to Spit Up Stars
After black holes devour stars, sometimes the feast comes back up
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Some high schoolers are visiting NASA today and I was one of their surprise guests. I did NOT know the other surprise guest was an astronaut. They sat us across from each other during lunch and I was so nervous and didn’t know what to say so I said “Thank you for fixing Hubble!” 😅😭🫠
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
My first seminar as a doctor was at my alma mater! Go ducks! Thank you for being a wonderful host @whereisyvette.bsky.social 💚💛
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Yvette Cendes @whereisyvette.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
We were very excited and happy to host astronomer and UO alum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social today for a seminar! Charity filled us in on all her latest research using JWST to study galaxy formation! 🤩 🔭🧪
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Yvette Cendes @whereisyvette.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Hi astro-Sky! Is anyone in a department that recently launched an astronomy major or minor? I have a few questions about how it's gone for you if so as we consider doing this at UO. Thanks! 🔭🧪🎢
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Dr. Laci Brock 🪐 @stellerarts.com · 17/04/2025
Kind of poetic to be painting the guts of a massive star that exploded with paint that only exists because a star died
Me sitting in front of my easel painting a supernova remnant with my back to the camera
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CosmicRami 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 11/04/2025
A reminder that SpaceX got $5.9 Billion in US Govt. contracts a few days ago.
arstechnica.com
Trump White House budget proposal eviscerates science funding at NASA
“This would decimate American leadership in space.”…
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Jonathan McDowell @planet4589.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Massive (68%) cut to NASA astrophysics proposed in WH budget. If this stands, it's the end of American pre-eminence in space science. arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
arstechnica.com
Trump White House budget proposal eviscerates science funding at NASA
“This would decimate American leadership in space.”…
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Michael Merrifield @astromikemerri.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
White House NASA budget proposal: two-thirds cut to astrophysics funding; no new space telescopes. The end of the USA as a world player in astronomy.🧪🔭 arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
arstechnica.com
Trump White House budget proposal eviscerates science funding at NASA
“This would decimate American leadership in space.”…
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Mike Urbancic @urbancic.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Pine Mountain Observatory Director Scott Fisher and I had a terrific time at @plutokiller.com's presentation on Planet Nine this afternoon at @uoregon.bsky.social. It was so thrilling to learn Planet Nine might be found in a matter of weeks after @vrubinobs.bsky.social starts its observations!
Scott Fisher (wearing glasses and a vest) and Mike Urbancic (wearing a mask and a Pluto T-shirt) are turned around to face the camera toward the top of a large lecture hall (Willamette 100).

In the background, at the front of the room are Mike Brown (aka Plutokiller) and Yvette Cendes. 

The title slide of the presentation projected on the screen is a parodies version of the movie poster for "Plan 9 from Outer Space" that says "Planet 9 from Outer Space".
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Astrobites @astrobites.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
From Astrobites: There is a tradition in Astronomy to post silly science papers to the arXiv on Aprils Fools day. We’ve collected them all for 2025 and provided some “peer review”. 🔭✨☄️ astrobites.org/2025/04/03/a...
astrobites.org
The April Fools Paper Review Process – 2025
There is a tradition in Astronomy to post silly science papers to the arXiv on Aprils Fools day. We’ve collected them all for 2025 and provided some “peer review”.
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Dr. Jessie Christiansen @aussiastronomer.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Astronomy grad students!! 🔭🪐 Applications are now open for the 2026 IPAC Visiting Graduate Student Fellowships. Come work in sunny Pasadena for six months (tuition and stipend covered!) and work on an exciting project with an IPAC scientist (including me!). www.ipac.caltech.edu/page/graduat...
ipac.caltech.edu
2026 IPAC Visiting Graduate Fellowship
IPAC at Caltech partners with NASA, NSF, JPL and the world-wide research community to advance exploration of our Universe.
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Our April Fools paper from a few years ago arxiv.org/abs/2303.16915
arxiv.org
A Modest Proposal for the Non-existence of Exoplanets: The Expansion of Stellar Physics to Include Squars
The search for exoplanets has become a focal point of astronomical research, captivating public attention and driving scientific inquiry; however, the rush to confirm exoplanet discoveries has often o...
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Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
In August, Dr. Brittany Miles will join the Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory faculty, advancing UofA’s legacy in infrared instrumentation and innovation. Dr. Miles studies the atmospheres of exoplanets and isolated, rogue worlds. Read more: bit.ly/3R0m0uF
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Dr. Laci Brock 🪐 @stellerarts.com · 31/03/2025
Sometimes I get comments like “glad you made time for art!” and don’t think people realize I’m a full-time artist now 😅 The best way to support me is signing up to my email list, buying art, sharing/liking/commenting is extremely kind & helpful too! Thank you 🤗 stellerarts.com/collections/...
Four mini prints of my paintings on clay of Venus’s surface, Earth, Neptune, and Jupiter’s pole.
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Cherry Blossom Festival in DC today. I love it here 🌸
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
tfw one of the world’s largest centrifuges is at your work but you can’t take rides on it
Photo of a huge centrifuge with a NASA Goddard Space Flight Center logo on it
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Brett Morris @brettmorr.is · 19/03/2025
The atomic spectral lines in this app come from the NIST atomic spectroscopy group, which has provided the world with spectroscopic measurements for 120 years. Today we got word that the federal government is laying off the entire group. 🔭🧪
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
The documentary about my life will be playing in Portland, OR at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) on April 24th. This is definitely the largest venue we’ve screened at and will be played on an IMAX. Cost for tickets is sliding scale (0-15$): omsi.edu/events/reel-...
omsi.edu
Reel Science: Space, Hope and Charity
The Remarkable Journey of Charity Woodrum with Charity Woodrum, PhD, Astrophysicist and Sandy Cummings, Director, Producer, Writer APR 24, 6:30-9:00PM |
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Dr. Tanya Harrison @tanyaofmars.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Let's debunk this whole "space is hard" mantra. Looking at all NASA-led missions launched since 2000, only 4 out of ~60 missions experienced total failures. Two of these were due to issues with the commercial launch vehicle, & two were spacecraft issues. That is a *93% success rate.* (1/n)
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Dr. Laci Brock 🪐 @stellerarts.com · 01/03/2025
The dichotomy of my art: super nerdy, intricate paintings of space using telescope images & the electromagnetic spectrum vs whimsical paintings of animals looking up ✨
Me sitting next to a 24x24” oil painting of the Ring Nebula. The nebula is painting in near-infrared wavelengths in vibrant colors with two hexagons showing the nebula in mid-infrared light with contrasting colors. A 4x4” acrylic painting of two chickens from stardew valley looking up at a meteor streaking across the sky
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Loren Grush @lorengrush.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Spoke with Pam Melroy, NASA's former deputy administrator, about the claim that the agency was offered an earlier return of Butch and Suni from the International Space Station: “An offer to bring the crew home early, it never came to headquarters." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Ex-NASA Leader Never Heard Musk Offer of Early Astronaut Return
NASA’s top officials never received an offer from Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring home two US astronauts marooned in space earlier than planned, the agency’s former deputy administrator told Bloomberg.
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Karen Masters @karenlmasters.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
I was reminded of @galaxyzoo.org website for writing with galaxies shaped like letters of the alphabet today, and the first word that popped into my head was "resist". 🔭👩‍🔬🧪 (mygalaxies.co.uk)
The word "resist!" written in font made up of real images of galaxies.
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Dr. Stéphanie Juneau @stephajuneau.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Excited about this press release on Raga's great work finding elusive intermediate-mass black holes in galaxies! This project started during her PhD. Nice to see it come to fruition & also a glimpse of what the future holds with now much more DESI data in hand 🤩🔭 noirlab.edu/public/news/...
noirlab.edu
DESI Uncovers 300 New Intermediate-Mass Black Holes Plus 2500 New Active Black Holes in Dwarf Galaxies - The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument discovers a treasure trove of active black holes in dw...
Within the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument’s early data, scientists have uncovered the largest samples ever of intermediate-mass black holes and dwarf galaxies hosting an active black hole, more ...
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Dr. Charity Woodrum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
It’s a solemn day at NASA, but the solidarity can be felt and even seen, with many of us wearing all black and our favorite NASA gear.
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