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Our Island Universe

@ourislanduniverse.space
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🌌 #𝑶𝒖𝒓𝑰𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆 explores all things space — how what happens 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 shapes life 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. #Astronomy connects us across #cultures and #time; by sharing stories of our #cosmic past and present, I hope to inspire a brighter future. #SpaceWatch 🌟🔭🛰️🚀🪐

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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 28/09/2026
Are we alone? On Oct 7 at 7p PT, exoplanet scientist Dr. Jessie Christiansen explores the search for “Earth 2.0” — what we’ve learned from Kepler & TESS, & how future missions may finally find another habitable world. The Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series is hosted at Foothill College. FREE!
Are we alone?

On Oct. 7 at 7 PM PT, exoplanet scientist Dr. Jessie Christiansen explores the search for “Earth 2.0”—what we’ve learned from Kepler & TESS, and how future missions may finally find another habitable world.

Free at Foothill College, Los Altos.
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 21/09/2026
What happened in the 1,000 years between Ptolemy & Copernicus? 🧪🔭 People never stopped looking up. Join us Oct. 17 for a new Learn@ASP workshop exploring astronomy’s Islamic Golden Age — and a richer story of how humanity came to know the cosmos. 🌍 ⁠Register 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬: bit.ly/Islamic-Gold...
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 19/09/2026
Bring the Universe to your community. The @aas.org Shapley Visiting Lectures Program brings astronomers to schools, libraries, planetariums, observatories & community groups across North America. $400 Honorarium provided.🧪 Apply to host in 2027 by Oct. 2: bit.ly/ShapleyLectures #Astronomy #SciComm
Bring the Universe to your community.

The AAS Shapley Visiting Lectures Program brings astronomers to schools, libraries, planetariums, observatories & community groups across North America.

Apply to host in 2027 by Oct. 2:
bit.ly/ShapleyLectures

#Astronomy #SciComm
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 31/08/2026
From across one small world, we gathered beneath the same sky. They came for community, learning & connection. They left with inspiration, hope, ideas, love & gratitude. Thank you #StreamAlive, @astrosociety.org’s Official Audience Engagement Partner, for helping #Astronomy250 bring us together.🔭🧪
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 28/08/2026
Day 2 of #Astronomy250 begins! Yesterday reminded us that no single culture owns the cosmos, nor the stories we tell beneath it. Today we ask: Who gets to discover the Universe — and how have new ways of seeing transformed what humanity knows? The conversation continues. The Universe awaits. 🧪🔭👨🏾‍🔬
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 19/08/2026
One week until #Astronomy@250! Nancy Grace Roman helped build an astronomical future she would never live to see. On Thurs, Aug. 27, join us for a FREE celebration of her life, legacy, vision — and what one generation can make possible for the next. 🔭🧪👩‍🔬 🌌 5pm PT / 8pm ET 🔗 bit.ly/nancygraceroman
One week until #Astronomy@250!

Nancy Grace Roman helped build an astronomical future she would never live to see.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, join us for a FREE celebration of her life, legacy, vision — and what one generation can make possible for the next. 🔭🧪👩‍🔬

🌌 5pm PT / 8pm ET
🔗 Registration: bit.ly/nancygraceroman
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Back in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 & delighted to see that my little gift of 300 eclipse glasses to my local high school went down well! Councillor Dalgleish:"Seeing a solar eclipse is a life event & could well inspire a whole new generation of astronomers for #Edinburgh” 🤞🤞🔭 www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinbur...
edinburghnews.scotsman.com
Edinburgh pupils gifted solar eclipse viewing glasses on return to school
Pupils at Portobello High School were given the chance to view the historic moment safely
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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 08/08/2026
We are made of star stuff and our species has always been compelled to explore — over that hill, past that body of water, & up there. I was privileged to help tell that story as science consultant & on-camera expert for #CosmicVistas. I hope you’ll join us on the journey. Premieres on #BBC #Earth.🧪🔭
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The Notorious AFP @augustafreepress.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Staunton: City wants to make throwing something in the trash 'the last option' augustafreepress.com/news/staunto...
augustafreepress.com
Staunton: City wants to make throwing something in the trash 'the last option'
The City of Staunton kicked off its “Less to the Landfill” initiative this week by highlighting two upgrades made to the Staunton Recycling Center.
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 20/07/2025
Happy #MoonDay? It’s been 56 years since humanity first walked on the #Moon. Are we still #explorers? My new essay reflects on #Apollo, what we’ve forgotten, and what’s still possible.🔭🧪 🛰️ tiny.cc/MoonDay 🔗 📣 What are your thoughts? #MoonDay #HumanFutures #Exploration #STEM #TheFutureWeChoose
tiny.cc
“Wanderers Still”: On the Moon, Memory, and the Future We Choose
Reflections on the 56th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 11/08/2026
Before a telescope carried her name, Dr. Nancy Grace Roman imagined a future in which humanity could see the Universe from space. 🧪🔭👩‍🔬 On Aug. 27, join the @astrosociety.org for a FREE, public celebration of the life & legacy of #NASA’s first Chief of Astronomy. Register: 🔗 bit.ly/nancygraceroman
Before a telescope carried her name, Nancy Grace Roman imagined a future in which humanity could see the Universe from space.

On Aug. 27, join us for a FREE celebration of the life & legacy of NASA’s first Chief of Astronomy.

Register free: bit.ly/nancygraceroman
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Hillary Rodham Clinton @hillaryclinton.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
When it comes to your children’s health, listen to doctors. Not a president who once told Americans to inject bleach. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ immunization recommendations have not changed.
Children’s immunization schedule
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The Astro Society @astrosociety.org · 10/08/2026
Congratulations to @astrosociety.org's @shanilv.ca on the premiere of "Cosmic Vistas" on #BBCEarth, an 8-part series! As both a science consultant and on-camera expert, Shanil helped bring the wonder and excitement of space exploration & astronomy to audiences around the world.🧪🔭 bit.ly/CosmicVistas
bit.ly
Cosmic Vistas: A New View - BBC Earth
Cosmic Vistas, Season 1, is an 8-episode documentary series that examines contemporary advancements in the realm of space exploration. Each episode looks at three different stories, using groundbreaki...
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Stuart Aken @stuartaken.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Will AI change the world in our lifetimes? This sci-fi novella explores that question. You get a copy from your usual supplier here: getbook.at/Methuselah
The left side of the picture shows the book cover, a profile of the torso of a woman with an overlay of multiple, shaded, triangles. To the right is the text of a review of the book.
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Digital Brain @yourdigitalbrain.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
China's return rate for students who studied abroad, Ministry of Education data shows about a third came back in 2006 vs roughly 80% today sinapti.ca/post/en/twenty-years-ago…
China's return rate for students who studied abroad, Ministry of Education data shows about a third came back in 2006 vs roughly 80% today

https://sinapti.ca/post/en/twenty-years-ago-almost-no-chines
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Vincent Ledvina @vincentledvina.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Wow! Conditions are favorable currently for mid latitude rural displays. The total magnetic field strength is higher than average, and Bz has been persistently pointing south for the last several hours. If conditions hold, we could see a rural displays in the northern tier of the U.S. tonight.
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Digital Brain @yourdigitalbrain.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
The Danish Ministry of Education announced on Thursday an emergency package of measures to curb the use of artificial intelligence in academic cheating within upper secondary education.
sinapti.ca
Denmark requires oral defense of each written task to combat AI fraud - Sinaptica
The Danish Ministry of Education announced on Thursday an emergency package of measures to curb the use of artificial intelligence in academic cheating within u
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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 08/08/2026
We are made of star stuff and our species has always been compelled to explore — over that hill, past that body of water, & up there. I was privileged to help tell that story as science consultant & on-camera expert for #CosmicVistas. I hope you’ll join us on the journey. Premieres on #BBC #Earth.🧪🔭
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 07/08/2026
I am absolutely thrilled to present to you: How to Build a Universe (Theoretically Speaking) available for pre-order now, wherever you buy your books! www.simonandschuster.ca/books/How-to...
Cover of the book "How to Build a Universe (Theoretically Speaking)" by Katie Mack. The top right corner says "Author of The End of Everything" and the bottom left says "Brilliant and thrilling! - John Green". The cover motif is a space image made of puzzle pieces.
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 07/08/2026
For thousands of years, we’ve looked up and asked the same questions: Where did we come from? Where are we going? Tonight at 10p ET/PT Cosmic Vistas debuts on #BBCEarth. I’m honored to have served as science consultant and on-camera expert for Cosmic Vistas, premiering this week on BBC Earth.🔭🧪
We are made of star stuff, and our species has always been compelled to explore. I was privileged to help tell that story as science consultant and on-camera expert for Cosmic Vistas. I hope you’ll join us on the journey. Premieres tonight at 10p ET/PT on BBC Earth.
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 01/07/2026
The new song from #BryanAdams — “51st State” — reminds me that a nation is ultimately measured not by its symbols, but by the opportunities it creates for people seeking hope, freedom, and a future. Happy #CanadaDay. 🇨🇦🍁 youtu.be/LyyFIbaU45w?...
youtu.be
Bryan Adams - '51st State' (Official Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Bryan Adams
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 01/07/2026
Happy #CanadaDay. 🇨🇦 I’m not the flag-waving patriotic type but Canada gave my family a 2nd chance after we were expelled from Uganda in 1972. My family’s story is on #Medium. 🔗 medium.com/@shanil.vira... Fitting that one of Canada’s great rock musicians released a new song today. Link in comment.
medium.com
From Flight to Freedom: How Canada Gave My Family a Second Chance
Canada welcomed us from Idi Amin’s Uganda and showed what it means to belong to a nation of justice, compassion, and hope.
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 26/06/2026
When policymakers argue that the nation cannot afford to invest in science and education, it is worth remembering that 𝙗𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨.
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TSN @tsnofficial.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
MALHOTRA IS JOINING THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS! Caleb Malhotra has been selected by the Vancouver Canucks as the third overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
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altNOAA 🇺🇸 @altnoaa.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Beluga Whale Escapes Research Facility And Swims Hundreds Of Miles Back To Her Baby. It is wrong and immoral to hold beings of self awareness captive if they have committed no crimes.
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 22/06/2026
Some patterns take a generation to discover. Every 18.6 years, the Moon reaches the limits of its journey across our horizon. Long before telescopes and written records, people noticed. The cycle belongs to the Moon. Recognizing it belongs to us. 🔭🧪 🔗 skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-bl...
Some patterns take a generation to discover.

Every 18.6 years, the Moon reaches the limits of its journey across our horizon. Long before telescopes and written records, people noticed.

The cycle belongs to the Moon. Recognizing it belongs to us.

https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-blogs/ancient-skies-the-moon-that-returns-once-in-a-generation/
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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 17/06/2026
Four worlds and one Moon in a single twilight sky. Venus, Jupiter, a delicate waxing crescent Moon, and elusive Mercury gathered above Pasadena this evening. Even during a week spent talking about the cosmos at #AAS248, the 248th Meeting of the @aas.org, it’s worth pausing to look up. 🌙🪐🔭🧪
Four worlds and one Moon in a single twilight sky. Venus, Jupiter, a delicate waxing crescent Moon, and elusive Mercury gathered above Pasadena this evening. Even during a week spent talking about the universe at #AAS248, it’s worth pausing to look up. 🌙🪐
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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 17/06/2026
Four worlds and one Moon in a single twilight sky. Venus, Jupiter, a delicate waxing crescent Moon, and elusive Mercury gathered above Pasadena this evening. Even during a week spent talking about the cosmos at #AAS248, the 248th Meeting of the @aas.org, it’s worth pausing to look up. 🌙🪐🔭🧪
Four worlds and one Moon in a single twilight sky. Venus, Jupiter, a delicate waxing crescent Moon, and elusive Mercury gathered above Pasadena this evening. Even during a week spent talking about the universe at #AAS248, it’s worth pausing to look up. 🌙🪐
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The Astro Society @astrosociety.org · 26/05/2026
New from our Cosmic Engagement Specialist Shanil Virani on Sky & Telescope's new blog series: a deep dive into Stonehenge and what we can learn from how ancient people engaged daily with the sky.💫 The first article of many to come, "Stonehenge and the Geometry of the Sky" (link below) reminds us...
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 22/05/2026
For thousands of years humans looked to the sky not just to find patterns but to understand themselves. Excited to launch a new cultural astronomy series with @skyandtelescope.bsky.social. The first piece explores Stonehenge & our ancient relationship with the sky.🧪🔭 bit.ly/AncientSkies-Stonehedge
bit.ly
Stonehenge and the Geometry of the Sky
For most of human history, the sky was not something we studied — it was something we lived with.
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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 23/05/2026
For most of human history, the sky was not something we studied. It was something we lived with. Excited to launch a new cultural astronomy series with @SkyandTelescope.bsky.social. This first piece explores Stonehenge & our ancient relationship with the cosmos.🧪🔭 🔗 bit.ly/AncientSkies-Stonehenge
bit.ly
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Sky & Telescope @skyandtelescope.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
For most of human history, the sky was not something we studied — it was something we lived with. skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-bl...
skyandtelescope.org
Stonehenge and the Geometry of the Sky
For most of human history, the sky was not something we studied — it was something we lived with.
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Office of Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭 @mayorwu.boston.gov · 01/05/2026
I just signed Boston’s Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition, a proposal to place a 2% fee on real estate transactions over $2 million (with the first $2 million exempt to limit impacts on middle-class homeowners). Transfer Fee revenue would fund the creation and preservation of affordable housing.
Mayor Wu sits and holds a signed resolution. Officials stand around her and clap.
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Tina releases “What’s Love Got to Do With It” 42 years ago today — a song she hated, but she deferred to her manager, Roger Davies, who was sure it would be a hit. When it won Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Female Vocal, she gave one of the awards to him. 🔥
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Suzanne Daley @suzannedaley.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
My favourite colour is the forest 🌿 🌲 🦎 #greenwitch #animism #nature #forest #trees #peace
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Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
This photo should be on the front page of every single newspaper in America today.
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 24/04/2026
250 years of looking up. 250 years of asking questions that changed who we are. As part of #America250 festivities, @astrosociety.org’s annual meeting will explore how #astronomy has shaped not just what we know but how we see ourselves in the #universe. 🧪🔭 📅 Save the date. 🔗 bit.ly/Astro250-Dates
As part of the America 250, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific annual meeting will take a step back — and look forward.

For 250 years, astronomy in the United States has not only expanded our understanding of the universe, but has helped shape education, culture, and our collective sense of place in the cosmos.

This year’s meeting will bring together astronomers, educators, historians, and science communicators to reflect on that legacy through four thematic strands — and to ask what the next chapter of astronomy should become.

We invite contributions across research, education, and public engagement.

Save the date and join us in this moment of reflection and possibility.
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Mare @maratalanta.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
exactly! and the disbalance of the stories about it doesn't change the fact that each one of those accomplishments belongs to humand kind 🌎
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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 08/04/2026
We have always looked up & found not just #stars but ourselves. Today the sky is no longer untouched: crowded above by satellites, constrained below by shifting priorities. #Astronomy is not a luxury. It’s how a species learns its place in the #cosmos. To protect it is to protect curiosity itself.🧪🔭
We have always looked up and found not just stars, but ourselves. Yet today, the sky is no longer untouched — crowded above by satellites, constrained below by shifting priorities. Astronomy is not a luxury; it is how a species learns its place in the universe. To protect our skies is to protect curiosity itself.
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Mare @maratalanta.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
I watch posts about Artemis II with teary eyes (just like I did about Pluto images), but there are still things people in the USA & EU don’t learn in school. A visit to Venus is one example. 2nd photo: Moon rocks that USA astronauts brought to Tito, along with the YU flag that traveled to the Moon.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 11/03/2026
LANDERS: Why did the FBI seize election records in AZ? TRUMP: They probably thought the election was rigged LANDERS: It wasn't though TRUMP: Oh really? How do you know? LANDERS: Your own AG said it TRUMP: If you say it wasn't rigged, you're a rotten reporter LANDERS: Where's the evidence?
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 22/02/2026
Eddie Olczyk said it: Canada is Team USA’s biggest rivalry but the USA isn’t Canada’s. USA Hockey now have their gold medal. Hearing the emotion in Eddie’s voice warmed my heart. It mattered to him. To Boucher. To every player on that team. If this makes more girls & boys play hockey it’s worth it.♥️
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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 22/02/2026
Why am I now in tears???!! This has to be the sweetest, kindest, and a gesture that transcends sports that I’ve ever seen. In a world right now that is filled with so much evil, darkness, and injustice, this one act shows there will always be light, hope, and love. Well done Team USA. ♥️♥️♥️
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Emma Scales @emmascales.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
When you still pander to a man who PLEAD GUILTY to heinous crimes in ‘08, what does that say to survivors who have been denied justice? Why would they ever feel safe when not just one person, but the entire community looks the truth in the face and decides it doesn’t matter? Is that worth a check?
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Emma Scales @emmascales.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Here’s why this matters: 80% of sexual assaults go unreported because of r*pe culture, where even when people KNOW the truth, they decide it’s not important enough to change anything. We owe it to the survivors in the scientific community to reverse this behavior that has persisted for far too long.
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Emma Scales @emmascales.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
To be clear, Greene socialized with Epstein several years after he plead guilty to egregious crimes in 2008. He has claimed that he was seeking donations from Epstein. It’s time to stop tolerating evil to secure financial support in science, and I only wish AAAS had the courage to lead.
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Emma Scales @emmascales.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
It is beyond insulting for @aaas.org to plan to host Brian Greene, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, for a plenary talk at #AAAS2026, then cancel it the day before, only for the replacement to insist Greene was a “good scientist” and that he wished we could all hear from him.
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paulpro @mariopro.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
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Granny Zee @grannyzee.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Seeing this reminds me of how much as been accomplished since 1967 civil rights act which enabled so many to reach for the stars We can't go back.
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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 11/02/2026
Across time, while women have carried the flame of discovery, the history of #science is filled with #women whose light was dimmed or ignored. Today, the women of the @astrosociety.org are charting a more inclusive future where the stars belong to us all. Their light helps us all see farther. 🔭🧪👩‍🔬
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