iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

A newspaper notice for the "Devil's Comet" in late 1883 (12P/Pons-Brooks), rediscovered from 1812, highlights that even from relatively sleepy Port Tobacco, Maryland, relatively advanced details such as proper star names, magnitudes, and hours of right ascension. #astronomy #history #comet 🔭✨☄️

192

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Mourning Cassandra Wilson, who died at 70. I was introduced to her incredible vocals through the "Blood on the Fields" album. She will be missed. 💙🎤🎶 #jazz #RIP

000

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

(2/2): ... which turns around one spot, watching Orion, and alone does not dip in the Ocean-stream. For Calypso, the heavenly goddess, bade him to cross the sea with the Bear upon his left ; so seventeen days he sailed across the sea. (Emily Wilson uses “plough” vs "Wagon") #astronomy #odyssey

030

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

(1/2): My favorite part of the poem Odyssey: Joyfully to the breeze royal Odysseus spread his sail , and with his rudder skillfully he steered from where he sat. No sleep fell on his eyelids as he gazed upon the Pleiads, on Boötes which sets late, and on the Bear which men call Wagon too, #astronomy

070

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

On this Juneteenth, check out the June issue of Sky & Telescope for my article, 'Freedom's Beacon,' on the astronomy of the Underground Railroad. There are misconceptions about how this network operated, and the night sky played a pivotal role in freedom's movement. #Juneteenth #astronomy #history

nxtbook.com

Sky & Telescope - June 2026

Experience our interactive, profoundly engaging digital publication!

0103

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

#OTD in 1863, Harriet Tubman, aboard the USS John Adams, presided over the successful #Combahee River Raid, liberating 756 enslaved people. The Moon played a role as well; read about it in my article Freedom's Beacon in the June issue of Sky & Telescope. #history #freedom #skystorians #astronomy

July 4, 1863 Harper's Weekly lithograph of enslaved people rushing to boat on Combahee River following the successful rescue mission involving Harriet Tubman.

1115

Reposted by Joe Barry

Andrew Fraknoi @fraknoi.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

With Spielberg’s film Disclosure Day coming, there'll be lots of UFO questions. I put together a new guide to resources on what skeptics know about UFO claims & cases, including Roswell & recent military photos, at: bit.ly/ufoskeptic #astroed #UFO #UAP #skeptics #astronomy #scienceeducation #UFOs

Anything can be a UFO if you're bad enough at identifying stuff in the sky. New skeptical guide at http://bit.ly/ufoskeptic by astronomer Andrew Fraknoi.

0207

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

I've created a list of Ford's Theatre attendees on the night Lincoln was assassinated: joebarryauthor.com/fords-theatre. It's been awesome hearing from descendants, including John Finnegan of the 98th NY Volunteer Infantry. Would you mess with him? Not me. #history #skystorians #civilwar 💙📚✍🏻

Private John Finnegan, 98th New York Volunteer Infantry. Witnessed Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre.

040

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Elated to have my article on the #astronomy of the Underground Railroad appear in the June issue of @skyandtelescope.bsky.social! There are some misconceptions on how the network operated, and astronomy played a key role in freedom's movement. Look for it next month. #history #skystorians #freedom

Freedom's Beacon article by Joe Barry in June 2026 issue of Sky & Telescope Magazine.

3163

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

#OTD Lincoln's assassin was finally captured and killed after 12 days on the run. If you're into this part of American history, check out my list of Ford's Theatre eyewitnesses here: joebarryauthor.com/fords-theatre Contributions welcome! #history #skystorians

010

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

An awesome time with @assassinationtours.bsky.social this weekend! If you're interested in this key moment in our history, book now for the fall tours!

120

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Absolutely fantastic time yesterday on the Lincoln Assassination Tours bus ride! Met a bunch of awesome people, authors, content creators, including the host, Dave Taylor, and Micheal Kauffman of American Brutus. Highly recommend anyone interested in this event attend! #history #skystorians #Lincoln

140

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Today is the anniversary of the Lincoln assassination. Contrary to popular belief, the audience didn't just sit down in response. In fact, prominent lawyer Joseph B. Stewart chased after Booth. Learn more about my book on him here: www.joebarryauthor.com #history #authors #booksky #skystorians 💙📚✍🏻

081

Reposted by Joe Barry

Dave Taylor @linconspirators.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

I hear tell that Expedition Files on Discovery will be rehashing the “Booth” mummy story tonight. I don’t have cable so I won’t be watching. But for the sake of anyone who watches it and starts wondering if John Wilkes Booth might have escaped justice in 1865, the answer is a resounding no. He dead.

041

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

It's been a bad week for a lot of people, but also a bad week for Flat Earthers and Moon Landing Truthers. #science #astronomy #conspiracy

0345

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

There is a view, correct in its own right, about the Earth being a pale blue dot, insignificant compared to the trillions of other planets and stars in the galaxy and beyond. But we are not insignificant. As astronaut Victor Glover notes, we are an oasis in a desert, among so many lifeless worlds.

030

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

"Build a bridge; that's where the courage is." - Flea, 'Honora' #music #peace

020

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Fearing job losses to automation is nothing new. This cartoon is from the Nov. 30, 1963 Morning Pioneer (Mandan, North Dakota). #ai #jobs #automation

120

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

In 2011, I ate dinner in Nairobi with friends and a waitress asked if we wanted to sign up for local discounts. I said “sure.” Ever since, I have received occasional spam for “opportunities” in Kenya and Uganda. It’s the one piece of spam that makes me smile and think about a wonderful trip.

010

Reposted by Joe Barry

Steve Desch @deschscoveries.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Sorry it took me so long to grade your August 20 assignment, Avi Loeb. Are you sure you're ready for a class on comets? You might need to learn about things like bow shocks and chemistry.

Avi Loeb posted these notes on comet 3I/ATLAS on August 20, but they are full of mistakes. I correct them and provide notes on how comets actually work.

1510218

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Still waiting for a silly explanation from a certain Harvard astronomer on why ethanol from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is somehow explained by nefarious aliens. #psuedoscience #nonsense 👽🛸

110

Reposted by Joe Barry

Ava Polzin @avapolzin.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Happy International Women's Day! Perfect time for me to (re)share our white paper on increasing the retention of women in professional astrophysics (really full of suggestions that broaden participation in academic science in general). arxiv.org/abs/2512.24465 🧪🔭☄️👩‍🔬

Cover of "Picture an Astronomer: Best Practices for Retaining Talent in Astrophysics", which features an illustration of a 19-year-old Vera Rubin looking through a telescope over a backdrop of a first light image of spiral galaxies from the Rubin Observatory.

318470

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Have you ever looked up and dedicated a star to somebody? I wrote this piece in honor of my stepmother, Donna, who passed away on this day 18 years ago: joebarryauthor.com/s/A-Star-for... #astronomy #stars

Bright red giant star Betelgeuse, Alpha Orionis

041

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Did you see the lunar eclipse this morning? Eclipses happen every year somewhere on Earth, and are therefore not reported as rare. "Planetary alignments" are not rare either, so why are they reported as such? Read on ... #astronomy #astrology #science #planets

joebarryauthor.substack.com

“Rare” Planetary Alignments

Astronomical Clickbait?

010

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

My latest piece on the media phenomenon of the "planetary parade." How rare are they, really? A quick read. #astronomy #media #clickbait #planets

open.substack.com

“Rare” Planetary Alignments

Astronomical Clickbait?

031

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

I had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Diana Hannikainen, Editor in Chief of @skyandtelescope.bsky.social at the Winter Star Party. She gave an excellent talk of her journey as a scientist and editor, and I was happy to show her several objects through my telescope later that evening. #astronomy

020

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

The Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys last week was a great time. Every night was clear, the talks were interesting, and the people friendly! Highly recommended! ✨ 🔭 🌴 💙 #astronomy #telescope #astrophotography #floridakeys

070

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Great time first three days at Winter Star Party in Florida Keys! #astronomy #FloridaKeys #telescope

070

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

COMING SOON! "The First Pursuer: The Kentucky Giant Who Chased Lincoln's Assassin and Personified a Turbulent Nation." For more on the amazing story of Joseph B. Stewart, the "Forrest Gump" of nineteenth century America, visit: joebarryauthor.com #skystorians #booksky #history #biographies 📚✍🏻

Book cover of "The First Pursuer: The Kentucky Giant Who Chased Lincoln's Assassin and Personified a Turbulent Nation" by Joseph A. Barry. Shows 1865 linocut illustration of Joseph B. Stewart bursting out the back door of Ford's Theatre and chasing John Wilkes Booth on a horse.

171

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Come join me in April for this awesome tour, or if March 14 works better for you, sign up! #skystorians #history #Lincoln #Booth #booksky #tours

010

Reposted by Joe Barry

Dave Taylor @linconspirators.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

🗃️ Listening to the audiobook of @desiarnazbook.bsky.social by Todd Purdum, I learned that Desi Arnaz had a newspaper announcing Abraham Lincoln’s death in his Desilu office. Lucy & Desi also appeared in the same gameshow as the last witness to Lincoln’s death: youtu.be/do0bzKxZDM4?... #skystorians

youtu.be

I've Got a Secret 2-9-56 Lucy & Desi, original commercials

YouTube video by BetaGems Lost Media

065

Reposted by Joe Barry

Lincoln Assassination Tours @assassinationtours.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Join the manhunt LincolnAssassinationTours.com

083

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Visual astronomers, where are you at? Let's connect; show me what you're observing with! Me: 24" f/3.3 StarStruture Dob, 16x70 Fujinons. Not pictured: 6" f/6 Intes MakNewt and A-P 92mm f/6.6 Stowaway. #astronomy #telescopes #binoculars #observing 🔭 🌟🌌

2211

Reposted by Joe Barry

Mark Allen, Horrorwriter @horrorwriter61.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Time for another weekend #writerslift! Be bold, be #shameless drop links to your #books #blogs #poetry #art and #youtube. #like #follow and #retweet. Go #viral! #readers BUY A BOOK! Leave reviews! We need them. #WritingCommunity #readingcommunity #booksky #AuthorsandWriting #horrorsky

142211

Joe Barry @joebarry.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Another awesome reason to join the Lincoln Assassination tour! #history #skystorians #Lincoln #tours

050

Reposted by Joe Barry

Lincoln Assassination Tours @assassinationtours.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

When the fugitive Lincoln assassination conspirator John Surratt was returned to the U.S. to face trial in 1867, he came face-to-face with members of the Kanza/Kaw tribe. For Native American Heritage Month, we share the story of The Kaw and the Last Lincoln Conspirator: youtu.be/tkeCG1AExos?...

youtu.be

The Kaw and the Last Lincoln Conspirator

YouTube video by Lincoln Assassination Tours

051