iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Just received some cool "Live Show Party Favors" from @lafemmependu.bsky.social - thanks, Allison!

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Selfies with some warm and friendly stars, at @shoreleavecon 2025. With Melissa Navia , Adrianne Palicki, J Lee, James Frain, and Dina Meyer!

160

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

"Far from a bold vision for American leadership, the administration has presented Congress with a blueprint for falling catastrophically behind on space exploration just as China and other nations are surging ahead." - Bill Nelson www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/o... (gifted article, no paywall).

nytimes.com

Opinion | In the Quest to Shrink NASA, Trump Forgets National Security

052

Reposted by Ken Carpenter

Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 03/06/2025

If you burn down a forest, you don't miss out on lumber for just that season. You have to replant all the trees, nurture them, and wait for them to grow. The science and research budget cuts happening now are wanton, senseless arson. Recovery, if it ever happens, will take generations.

9079102511

Reposted by Ken Carpenter

Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Here’s what will happen to our National Parks if Trump’s budget passes. Did you know America’s national parks actually generate more income than they cost to operate? Yet under Trump’s proposed 2026 budget, the National Park Service (NPS) would face devastating cuts:

882697858

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

All 4 #NASA #science divisions are decimated in the President's Proposed #FY26 Budget, with #Astrophysics, for example, down an astounding ~67%. This would destroy our scientific capabilities in these arenas for years to come. We are facing a new Dark Age if this war on science is not stopped.

020

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

#Luminous: The Symphony of Us - #Epcot, 13 May 2025. In Luminous, we finally have a worthy successor to #Iluminations - Reflections of Earth - beautifully done, with a story as inspiring as that of its predecessor.

000

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

"Walt the Dreamer" - statue at Epcot, WDW - 13 May 2025. "...always be in a state of becoming." "Dedicated to all who dream of a better tomorrow." #wdw #epcot #waltthedreamer #waltdisney

000

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Never have I been able to get actual reservations for either the lounge or the main "Space 220" restaurant at Epcot - but on a lark, I tried for walk-in seating at the bar - and after a bit of a wait, bingo, finally got in! The food was superb, though expensive as promised. :)

120

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

"The Way of Water" - Epcot, World of Nature. 13 May 2025.

110

Reposted by Ken Carpenter

Punk on Bus Lives!🚍📻 @punkonbuslives.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Happy Trek Tuesday! Especially to our wise friends in Canada!🖖🏿🇨🇦 #StarTrek #TrekTuesday

La'an Noonien-Singh and Captain Kirk are standing on a street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. La'an says "you know, maple leaves, politeness, poutine." Star Trek Strange New Worlds.

38818

Reposted by Ken Carpenter

American Astronomical Society (AAS) @aas.org · 11/04/2025

The American Astronomical Society is gravely concerned by the deep cuts to NASA science funding reported to be in the draft President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026. Read more here: aas.org/press/aas-st... and take action now: aas.org/urge-nasa-su...

4259141

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

The NASA GSFC SSDIF clean room in which the Roman Space Telescope (RST) is being put together. This is one of the few times you can see all of the different parts of the telescope together in the same room prior to full assembly. The Spacecraft, Telescope, & Instruments are all in the rear stack.

The two major pieces of the Roman Space Telescope in the NASA GSFC Clean Room, as the telescope comes together before our eyes.

061

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

On behalf of the AeSI Team (second photo), I just submitted the Final Report of our year-long NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I Study. In this study, we explored the feasibility and high-level design of a lunar surface-based, sparse aperture telescope (a.k.a., an Interferometer).

170

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

But here are two reasons it is hard to remain optimistic.

020

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Hard to stay optimistic nowadays, but here are some wise words from LOTR.

031

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

I got a chance to return to some old stomping grounds in Tucson last week to talk about my "Artemis-enabled Stellar Imager (AeSI)" NIAC Study to a Steward Observatory and NOIRLab Joint Colloquium. Lots of good side conversations on space interferometry and astrophysics from the Moon as well.

Photo of nameplate on my visitor's office at NOIRLab. I got a chance to return to some old stomping grounds in Tucson last week to talk about my "Artemis-enabled Stellar Imager (AeSI)" NIAC Study to a Steward Observatory and NOIRLab Joint Colloquium. Lots of good side conversations on space interferometry and astrophysics from the Moon as well.

040

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Hearty congratulations, @thespacegal.bsky.social - warp speed ahead!!!!

050

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Interesting morning clouds over Carolina Beach, NC, Nov. 28, 2024.

260

Reposted by Ken Carpenter

RET @retviking.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

What do I do, you ask!? I make 👽 history!! 🚀 Well, I preserve it, share it, and curate the #NASA #Viking mission. 1st to Mars. 1st to #SearchforLife 1st to land on Mars in 1976! So many firsts! See what we do! drive.google.com/file/d/1C-k5... and Donate to VMMEPP square.link/u/37onYJ1n

3104

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

And there was this "skier" coming off a ski jump in the sky last night as well. :)

Cloud structure in the sky last night that looks like a "skier" coming off a ski jump.

041

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Some dramatic blue skies last night over Maryland!!!

Dramatic bumpy cloud structures in a blue sky over Maryland last night.

140

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

@michelespecht.bsky.social - Welcome to the blue skies of this warm and inviting app!

030

Reposted by Ken Carpenter

Sarah Kendrew @sarahkendrew.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Astronomers - our @jwstobserver.bsky.social account needs your follows! Please hit the button to stay informed of observatory, instrument & software updates. 🔭

03611

Reposted by Ken Carpenter

Dr. Amber Straughn (she/her) @astraughnomer.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Hello new Bluesky friends! Very happy to be here. For my first post, here's my favorite (still!) #jwst image - the Cosmic Cliffs of Carina 🤩 This image made me cry the first time I saw it. It's just so beautiful, and this is a good time to appreciate the beauty around and above us ✨

46156186

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

An absolutely beautiful short film that brings back some old friends in a way that will send tingles up and down your spine. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgOZ... #startrek #tos #unification #kirk #spock #colt #saavik #mitchell #otoy

youtube.com

765874 - Unification (4K)

YouTube video by OTOY

020

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 10/11/2024

@topsyturvyshow doing one of their amazing acrobalance routines at the @mdrenfest on Oct. 5, 2024. With @labellian.lily and Amanda Renaud.

210

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 10/11/2024

In early September, I gave a talk and did a Q&A session at the 2024 NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) Symposium in Pasadena, CA on our in-progress Phase 1 study of the "Artemis-enabled Stellar Imager (AeSI) lunar-based interferometer concept.

K. Carpenter giving a talk at the 2024 NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) Symposium in Pasadena, CA on his in-progress Phase 1 study of the "Artemis-enabled Stellar Imager (AeSI) lunar-based interferometer concept.

130

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 05/09/2024

A view to north-northwest from the road approaching the mountain top #CerroNoroeste, near #PineMountainClub, CA.

010

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 07/07/2024

Something more serious than usual: a search for a Living (partial #liver #transplant) Donor for my son David. Here's a a link to the #UPENN site on #LivingDonations: www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients... In advance, thanks for anything you can do to spread the word - much appreciated!

A request for help in finding a Living Donor for a (partial) liver transplant for my son David.

010

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 07/07/2024

A beautiful new #stainedglass #Jackalope from #RockcrestGlassStudio, hanging in the dining room windows in late afternoon sunlight.

031

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 07/07/2024

The highly anticipated shipment of #Kickstarter rewards have arrived to celebrate the release of #sämäs's first album, #AnAncientCalling"!!! Thanks so much to Sam Carroll and Asia Lupo for a wonderful album and some very nice Kickstarter rewards.

Album cover of "An Ancient Calling" by Samas, signed by Sam Carroll and Asia Lupo.

010

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 18/10/2023

A visit to the #VLA last Sunday, after viewing the annular solar eclipse on Saturday in NM. The array is almost finished changing into its most compact, "D", configuration.

140

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 24/09/2023

Both the MD Renaissance Festival & the NY RenFest ended up closing for both days of this weekend, due to the impacts from tropical storm Ophelia. For MD, I believe this is the 1st time they've ever had to close for an entire weekend due to the weather & only 4th day ever. It is the right decision.

010

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 22/09/2023

One day, the Coleus plant is fine and the next it has been totally decimated by the vicious, marauding herd of ever so cute and regal deer that wander through the nature preserve of our suburban neighborhood... It was untouched all summer and then last night, They turned on it.

Healthy Coleus plant, before the deer invaded.

Coleus plant after the deer have completely stripped all of its leaves overnight.

020

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 22/09/2023

The Unisphere in #flushingmeadowscoronapark, the symbol of the 1964-65 New York #WorldsFair which promoted "Peace Through Understanding" - a goal for which we still strive more than 5 decades later...

130

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 15/09/2023

And this #Coleus Plant is looking very good under these bright blue skies as well!

030

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 15/09/2023

Absolutely gorgeous blue skies overhead today, 75 deg, and a nice refreshing wind. Weather does not get much better than this! And hard to find a more appropriate photo to post on this particular platform!

010

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 15/09/2023

With cast members from #startrek #strangenewworlds at #dragoncon2023: Celia Rose Gooding (Uhura), Anson Mount (Pike), Ethan Peck (Spock) and Christina Chong (La'an). All delightful!

3220

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 15/09/2023

At DragonCon 2023, I was able to get the signatures of cast members on a print of the wonderful Easter Egg re: Hubble & myself from the #startrek #strangenewworlds Season 2 finale. #Autographs are from Anson Mount (Pike), Ethan Peck (Spock), Christina Chong (La'an), and Celia Rose Gooding (Uhura)!

020

Ken Carpenter @kenastro.bsky.social · 21/08/2023

Friday I had the privilege of providing tours of NASA-GSFC to students from the College of the Canyons . This brilliant group of engineering students and their mentors saw HST's Operations Control Center & the Integration & Test Complex where the Roman Space Telescope is being assembled & tested.

030