Reposted by Eric MamajekMichael Brown @mjibrown.bsky.social · 17hAustralian governments and companies should be taking the opportunity to recruit the best scientists who are being driven away from the United States. 132
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 05/10/2026CNN embarrassing title: “First-ever evidence of a second-generation planet detected around dead star” www.cnn.com/2026/10/05/s... The first *convincing* evidence for *any* exoplanets were the pulsar planets back in *1992*, i.e. 2nd-gen planets orbiting a dead star! www.nature.com/articles/355...cnn.com‘Phoenix planet’ may have formed from a dead star’s ashes | CNNA second-generation planet might be orbiting a white dwarf, in an astronomy first, according to new research. 181
Reposted by Eric MamajekCasey Dreier @caseydreier.bsky.social · 02/10/2026For the second fiscal year in a row, NASA awarded ~20% fewer grants than the recent historical average. That's about 500 fewer grants going out to scientists around the country. 34724
Reposted by Eric MamajekJustin Walsh @jstpwalsh.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Shane Ross at Virginia Tech created a simulation of what 500k orbital data centers, as proposed by SpaceX, would look like from your home latitude sdross0.github.io/orbital-data...sdross0.github.ioWhat would orbital data centers look like from your sky?500,000 satellites from SpaceX's FCC filing, two published brightness models and the real stars, for any latitude, date and time. Computed in your browser. 39266
Reposted by Eric MamajekCaltech IPAC @caltechipac.bsky.social · 29/09/2026The Coronagraph Instrument on NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope passed its first in-space checkout! The instrument powered on earlier this month & the team here at IPAC at @caltech.edu has been commanding the instrument and receiving data from space. 🔭 roman.ipac.caltech.edu/news/nasa-ac... 074
Reposted by Eric MamajekRobert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 26/09/2026On this day in 1994, the Clinton administration's heathcare reform plan was declared "dead" by Congress. Over 30 years later, the US is still the only industrialized country without universal healthcare. This should be a national outrage. 701199775974
Reposted by Eric MamajekMichael Busch @michael-w-busch.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Today on the #arXiv : Miles et al. 2026 describe the weather on the brown dwarf WISE 0855: arxiv.org/abs/2609.20664 . Patchy water clouds along with carbon monoxide, methane, ammonia, and phosphine. When a star is as cold as ice...arxiv.orgWater Cloud and Chemical Modulations in the Coldest Brown DwarfWe present high signal-to-noise, medium resolution (R ~ 1000), time-series JWST/NIRSpec spectra of WISE 0855 (265K), the coldest known brown dwarf. Medium resolution, time-series spectroscopy gives us... 1163
Reposted by Eric MamajekMatthew Kenworthy @mattkenworthy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Leiden Observatory Masters graduate Valerie Bakker leads a paper on “The Hill sphere transits of Beta Pictoris c and the search for another 1981-like event” where we (sadly) did not find circumplanetary dust… but maybe it’s already condensed into #exomoons ..? #astrodon #exoplanets 1164
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 30/08/2026A great summary of the life of Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first astronomer. Ironic that another form of “Chandrasekhar Limit” at U Chicago led Roman to seek greener pastures at NRL, which led her to being recruited by NASA early on into probably the most influential astro job of late 20th century! 1104
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 30/08/2026#Roman is power-positive and on its way to L2! #NASA 050
Reposted by Eric MamajekScientific American @sciam.bsky.social · 20/08/2026If you didn’t already dislike power-hungry data centers popping up on Earth, just wait till you see what they could do to the night sky. A new study suggests proposed megaconstellations of orbital data centers could outnumber the visible stars and blot out the Milky Way.scientificamerican.comOrbital data centers could outshine the Milky WayWithout drastic interventions, data centers in space could disrupt scientific observations and fragile ecosystems by adding almost innumerable new “stars” to the heavens above 87842
Reposted by Eric MamajekIRSA IPAC @irsaipac.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Fornax, NASA's cloud-based science platform for astrophysics, is now available in beta. docs.fornax.sciencecloud.nasa.gov/quick-start/ It provides access to NASA astrophysics data, analysis environments, and scalable cloud computing, allowing you to work with large datasets. 051
Reposted by Eric MamajekAdrian Price-Whelan @adrian.pw · 18/08/2026Gaia DR4 @esa.int is on Dec 2 🎉 Introducing...The Gaia Relay, coming to a town near you* Dec 1–4 at @flatironinstitute.org Dec 7–11 at @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social Dec 14–18 in @monashastro.bsky.social gaia.lol (*NYC, SB, or Melbourne; otherwise you have to host a meeting!) Are we unhinged? Yes! 🔭gaia.lolGaia Sprints 2237
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 07/08/2026Shaka, its figure in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. Uzani, its editors and referees asleep. 030
Reposted by Eric Mamajekcosmos4u.bsky.social @cosmos4u.bsky.social · 29/07/2026The picture - from the paper - that should have been in the press release: the Gemini position in red over the VLT image where it coincides with the brightest post-processing blob. 121
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 29/07/2026No, you’re not seeing double. A companion to Betelgeuse with matching parameters (albeit at lower statistical significance) was reported last year using Gemini: www.gemini.edu/news/press-r...gemini.eduGemini North Discovers Long-Predicted Stellar Companion of BetelgeuseAstronomers have discovered a companion star in an incredibly tight orbit around Betelgeuse using the NASA and U.S. National Science Foundation-funded ‘Alopeke instrument on Gemini North, one half of ... 110
Reposted by Eric MamajekSeven Machina Rasmussen @toomanyspectra.bsky.social · 18/07/2026that uh… that sure is a lot of helium escape for a rocky planet, right? 3347
Reposted by Eric MamajekAdam Frank @adamfrank4.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Young researchers, apply for our post-docs! The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester invites applications positions in theoretical and computational approaches to complex systems, information theory, and the emergence of autonomous agency. apply.interfolio.com/189157apply.interfolio.com Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio 086
Reposted by Eric MamajekPittsburgh Pirates @pirates.com · 08/07/2026RYAN O'HEARN...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! 3RD HOME RUN OF THE GAME. 100TH OF HIS CAREER. 312017
Reposted by Eric MamajekJarlath @jarlathhare.bsky.social · 05/07/2026I've never experienced such an amazing fireworks display in my life! 🎆🎇 Hope everyone here at #Anthrocon had an awesome 4th of July! 🇺🇸🇺🇸 #Pittsburgh #USA250 #4thJuly 0334
Reposted by Eric MamajekLaura Helmuth @laurahelmuth.bsky.social · 29/06/2026Springer Nature retracted two studies by Max Planck. In response to a question from @samkean.bsky.social, they issued this statement: "Detailed information about specific retractions is usually confidential and can only be shared with the relevant authors.”science.orgWhy have papers by one of history’s most famous physicists been retracted?Springer Nature has removed two studies by Max Planck. A bot may be to blame 12258115
Reposted by Eric MamajekAmerican Astronomical Society (AAS) @aas.org · 24/06/2026✨ AAS Virtual Graduate Admissions Fair ✨ We’re excited to announce that the AAS plans to host its first-ever virtual graduate admissions fair on Wednesday, 16 September, 3:00–5:00 pm ET! Confirm your department/unit’s interest by 10 July. Registration fee: $500. aas.org/aas-virtual-... 🔭 093
Reposted by Eric MamajekScience Magazine @science.org · 22/06/2026Exclusive: The National Science Foundation is trimming this year’s budgets for hundreds of its traditional basic science programs by roughly 20% to 30%, even though its overall budget is down just 3%. scim.ag/4xY2KCmscience.orgExclusive: NSF slashes research programs to support new tech initiative, insiders sayUnexpected shift in funds has meant sharp drop in grants this fiscal year 10345290
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 18/06/2026NASA ASTRA workshop Sept 1-3, 2026 science.nasa.gov/astrophysics... #AAS #AAS248 #ExoPAG #COPAG #PhysPAG #astrophysics 010
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 18/06/2026Update at #NASA Astrophysics ASTRA session at #AAS248 on new X-ray Flagship Mission Study and the mid-Decadal Survey review #ExoPAG #COPAG #PhysPAG #AAS 020
Reposted by Eric MamajekNASA Webb Telescope @nasawebb.extwitter.link · 16/06/2026One well-done gas giant planet, coming right up! Webb examined a “hot Jupiter” exoplanet called HD 80606 b, with four times Jupiter’s mass, and a very elliptical orbit that sweeps close by its Sun-like star. t.co/X3s69WG4qQ 🔗 go.nasa.gov/3QtN6xr 0708
Reposted by Eric MamajekDavid Grinspoon @drfunkyspoon.bsky.social · 13/06/2026Bears repeating today… 14813
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 09/06/2026#Meta #AI imagining an apocalyptic tornado hitting Pennsylvania cities in 2025 that didn’t exist. NWS recorded no tornados in PA that day. There were no tornados in eastern PA stronger than EF1 in 2025. There were no EF5 tornados in the US that day. Where does it get this stuff? #Facebook 000
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 08/06/2026Field of view is 6.69 x 3.93 arcminutes =0.00195 x 0.00114 radians, at distance 1380 ly is 2.5 ly x 1.5 ly or 158,000 x 92,000 astronomical units 200
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 07/06/2026Here’s current map of Charon with IAU-adopted names: asc-planetarynames-data.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/charon.pdf Names predominantly associated with intellectual property (e.g., names from recent sci fi) are not adopted by IAU Working Groups (like WG Planetary System Nomenclature)asc-planetarynames-data.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com 030
Reposted by Eric MamajekKevin Hardegree-Ullman @kevinkhu.bsky.social · 05/06/2026A wonderful summary from @caltechipac.bsky.social of our Scaling K2 #exoplanet project lead by @aussiastronomer.bsky.social and worked on by me for the last (many) years! The excellent graphic from Keith Miller will be very useful in talks henceforth! 🔭 www.ipac.caltech.edu/news/finding...ipac.caltech.eduFinding Patterns in Planets: Researchers Explore the Demographics of Alien Worlds in K2 DataThe Kepler mission and its follow-on K2 discovered thousands of exoplanets around different types of stars, and new work reveals broader trends in the planetary populations of the Milky Way. 2199
Reposted by Eric MamajekKatie Mack @astrokatie.com · 29/05/2026It’s truly astonishing to see how comprehensively the US government is tearing down every part of the system that has made it up until now a world-leading power in science, research, and technological development. The entire world will suffer from this wanton destruction. 23980442823
Reposted by Eric MamajekMatthew Kenworthy @mattkenworthy.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Student paper day part 1: Michiel Darcis+ on “The spectral energy distribution of YSES 1 b and its circumplanetary disc” where it’s detected in optical wavelengths with MagAO-X: including the circumplanetary disk now revises the mass up to 26-41 Mjup depending on age #astrodon #exoplanets 🪐🔭 0142
Reposted by Eric MamajekMatthew Kenworthy @mattkenworthy.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Student paper day 2: Elina Kleisioti+ on “Interior-Atmosphere Coupling on TRAPPIST-1 f, g, and h: Cryovolcanic Water Exospheres and Infrared Detectability” where tidal heating between transiting exoplanets generates H2O vapour exospheres but too thin for JWST detections #astrodon #exoplanets 🪐🔭 0155
Reposted by Eric MamajekConaire Deagan @conairedeagan.bsky.social · 20/05/2026Happy to say that my second paper “Astrometric exoplanet detection survives solar-like stellar contamination” has been accepted by MNRAS and is now up on the arxiv: arxiv.org/pdf/2605.18953 Takeaway: Missions like TOLIMAN and SHERA could find earth-twins assuming solar like noise.arxiv.org 4196
Reposted by Eric MamajekAndy Rivkin @asrivkin.bsky.social · 25/05/2026Yep. Here's the list of telescopes that were used to achieve the goals of NASA's DART mission, and basically every single one of them outside the USA depended on collaborations with and labor* from scientists and non-scientists who are not US residents. *and that labor paid for by non-US sources 4516153
Reposted by Eric MamajekPaul Byrne @theplanetaryguy.com · 24/05/2026This is a newly processed view of the largest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus Mons. It's 21 km tall. It's as wide as Arizona. Metropolitan LA fits inside its summit caldera. Its basal cliff is 7 km high. And it started to grow ~3.5 billion years ago but has lavas only 2 million years old. 23699162
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 20/05/2026Great session on Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) at #AbSciCon26. Here are QR links to more on HWO and how to get involved 071
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 20/05/2026Globular clusters. Very low metallicity and good luck maintaining a stable planetary system in a region so dense they sometimes run into each other (blue stragglers) 020
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 19/05/2026Summary of NASA DARES (Decadal #Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy) update at #AbSciCon26. Draft slides posted in June, followed by public comment period, working towards release of DARES report in Dec 2026 030
Reposted by Eric MamajekWisconet @wisconet.bsky.social · 17/05/2026A new TORNADO WARNING now includes all of Madison including @uwmadison.bsky.social. 031
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 16/05/2026Refereeing almost certainly would’ve caught one, I’m less convinced for the other. I can see benefits and problems (one being wasting everyone’s time with erroneous results before a referee has even had a crack at it) 020
Eric Mamajek @ericmamajek.bsky.social · 16/05/2026In span of 2 weeks I encountered 2 exoplanet discovery papers that were posted after submission but b4 acceptance - both had some severe errors that the authors somehow missed. I emailed both teams w/i a day of catching them and the corrections had big impact on the results. I can see benefits too. 150
Reposted by Eric Mamajekjaniceleeastro @janiceleeastro.bsky.social · 12/05/2026(1/n) 🧵 Now published in Part 1 of the HWO25 conference proceedings, this collection of 60 science cases illustrates the extraordinary scientific reach of the #HabitableWorldsObservatory from... 🧪🔭☄️ #extragalactic #exoplanets #galactic 12410
Reposted by Eric MamajekMegan Watzke @mwatzke.bsky.social · 05/05/2026Martin Weisskopf, who helped shape modern X-ray astronomy and was the Chandra Project Scientist for many years, died last week at the age of 84. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people write letters of support to sustain the mission. www.berryhillfh.com/obituaries/m...berryhillfh.comMartin Charles Weisskopf Obituary May 2, 2026 - Berryhill Funeral Home & CrematoryView Martin Charles Weisskopf's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook. 38744
Reposted by Eric MamajekStephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 04/05/2026I'm extremely proud of my friend and colleague, Michelle Hill, for her brilliant work in investigating the effects of planet size on sustainability of atmospheres and habitability. arxiv.org/abs/2605.00170arxiv.orgSmaller Than Earth Habitability Model (STEHM): The Lower Size Limit for Atmosphere Retention in the Habitable ZoneWith recent advances in exoplanet observational techniques enabling the discovery of increasingly smaller planets, a crucial question emerges in the search for habitable planets: how small can a plane... 0195
