Sign in

Jonathan Pritchard

@pritchardjr.bsky.social
622 followers 330 following 940 posts

Bewildered vagabond and student of the stars. Professor of uncertain opinions. Radio cosmologist at MPIfR. (Opinions mine, not employers)

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft @maxplanck.de · 03/10/2026
More than 35 years after German reunification, a substantial economic gap between East & West remains. A research project led by economist & Max Planck-Humboldt Research Award winner Ufuk Akcigit uses GDR & Treuhand data to reveal why - & what policymakers can do to help close it.
mpg.de
The long road to economic reunification
Economist Ufuk Akcigit from the University of Chicago was awarded the Max Planck-Humboldt Research Prize in 2019. Drawing on an analysis of documents from the former GDR and the Treuhandanstalt, he is...
0113
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Dr Dave Clements @davecl.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
More news of PRIMA, this time from our own press office @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperialphysics.bsky.social www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
imperial.ac.uk
Imperial researchers join landmark NASA mission to explore the hidden Universe
NASA has selected the PRIMA space telescope mission to study the history and evolution of the Universe
2103
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This new rate limit for submissions to arxiv seems pretty measured. It would be really interesting to see detailed statistics of the types of submissions they’re getting. Clearly a major problem brewing. blog.arxiv.org/2026/10/01/u...
blog.arxiv.org
Fair Moderation, Equitable Access, and AI: arXiv’s Updated Rate Limit Policy
arXiv, and the scientific community at large, are facing a watershed moment. Scholarly publishing is currently changing at a rapid pace, and we are seeing a…
010
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Taylor Smith @taylorjsmith.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I’ve known about this for a couple of weeks, but now I can share: as of today, arXiv is rate-limiting submissions to two per month. And as a mod, I have to admit this is a necessary move (at least temporarily). blog.arxiv.org/2026/10/01/u...
blog.arxiv.org
Fair Moderation, Equitable Access, and AI: arXiv’s Updated Rate Limit Policy
arXiv, and the scientific community at large, are facing a watershed moment. Scholarly publishing is currently changing at a rapid pace, and we are seeing a…
44716
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The shape of drones to come. Ambhibious drone landings and more. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/w...
nytimes.com
How Ukraine’s Naval Drones Are Remaking War at Sea
They began as modified motorboats. Now, Ukrainian sea drones act as miniature aircraft carriers, and other countries want in.
000
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 30/09/2026
Inspector Smile is ready for science! 🫡 This is Smile’s first ultraviolet view showing an auroral substorm. With the ultraviolet camera now operational, Smile becomes the first spacecraft since 2008 to capture the full ring of northern lights around the north pole in ultraviolet light. 🔭 🧪 ☀️
15866244
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It’s fun to watch radio astronomers nerd out with excitement about a plot of visibilities from the handful of working SKA-LOW stations. It slowly becomes a real telescope.
041
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Fourth radio astronomy conference in four weeks and I am excited by all the science, but oh so tired.
020
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 27/09/2026
Four days ago, a scientist was surprised by the news that Anthropic discovered new virus genes for making DNA. He says he’s been studying them for years—and feeding his data to Anthropic’s AI as part of his own research. Coincidence? Here’s my story. nyti.ms/3VSWayc
nyti.ms
Did Anthropic’s A.I. Really Make a Scientific Discovery on Its Own? (Gift Article)
An expert at the University of Copenhagen said his team had been sharing its research with the company’s A.I. model, Claude, and that its new finding matched their work.
882123874
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Dr Dave Clements @davecl.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
More on PRIMA: With PRIMA, NASA will try to build a billion-dollar space telescope in record time arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
arstechnica.com
With PRIMA, NASA will try to build a billion-dollar space telescope in record time
NASA's PRIMA mission will use spare parts from Webb to do major science at a lower cost.
2116
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
It’s concerning how much peer pressure there is on students to use GenAI tools these days. The fear that everyone else is doing things faster is overwhelming them.
130
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
It’s funny how music stays with you. Watching season 4 of Resident Alien and suddenly plunged into childhood memories of watching reruns of The Incredible Hulk by this haunting tune youtu.be/Bb3rT6YDZdU?...
youtu.be
The lonely man (Hulk ending music)
YouTube video by Angelo Garavaglia Fragetta
100
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The war in the Ukraine has horrifying echos of both the past and the future. Ukraine needs to win this war to ensure it doesn’t come further west and I really hope NATO is learning its lessons well. economist.com/briefing/202...
economist.com
Russia has entered a new phase of total war
Ukrainians are feeling the heat
000
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The promise of Israel is somewhere that Jews can be safe, no matter what else happens in the world. The mobs and death threats against the filmakers and their families suggest that, under Netanyahu, this only applies to Jews who support the government and armed forces.
832347
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Attending REACH annual meeting this week. Hugely impressed by all the work modelling the instrument, the systematics, and the analysis of a year of data. Global 21 cm observations are really hard, but there’s a lot of creativity going in to make it work!
000
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Oh FFS. Can we just choose not to normalise this idiocy? www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
theguardian.com
US confirms for first time it has deployed weapons in space
Analysts warn of an acceleration in high-risk arms race with Russia and China in Earth’s orbit
000
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Although there’s a certain fleeting pleasure in watching Trump make a fool of himself, the chaser is usually realising that he’s screwed up in a way that will destroy people’s lives and take vast time & treasure to fix. :(
020
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Saudi Arabia discovering that transactional relations with Trump are entirely one way. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/w...
nytimes.com
Saudi Arabia Faces ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ After Iran’s Attacks and Trump’s Rebuffs
The kingdom is in a state of strategic shock after coming under attack from an emboldened Iran and failing to win more U.S. military support, analysts say.
010
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Here is the details from UKRI (I've not yet read) www.ukri.org/news/ukri-mo...
056
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Leaving Belgrade after a successful SKA-EoR SWG meeting. Continuing, if slow, progress from 21cm precursors - HERA/LOFAR/MWA - and on construction of SKA. Good discussions on how to push forward. Thanks to our hosts!
011
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Depressing to hear of great experiments with cool data and basically no funding for people to analyse the data or keep the experiment evolving for the future.
030
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Chris Lintott @chrislintott.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Astronomers! The Savilian Professorship at @oxfordphysics.bsky.social is now open for applications - this is the senior chair in (normally) theoretical astrophysics, and I hope you'll consider coming to join us. Hapoy to chat informally if useful. my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru... 🔭
my.corehr.com
'
01111
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft @maxplanck.de · 09/09/2026
We are hiring! Start at a #MaxPlanckInstitute with your own independent Max Planck Research Group. This position is equivalent to a W2 Professorship at a German university, or Associate Professor internationally. 🔗Apply until October 14th! www.mpg.de/career/max-p... #ScienceCareer #MPRG #TenureTrack
Call for independent Max Planck Research Groups
0112136
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Prof Anna Watts @profannawatts.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Join us! We are advertising not one but TWO new observation-oriented tenure track faculty positions, in the areas of massive stars/compact binaries and exoplanets. Links in thread! [Genuine footage from our staff meetings, seen below]
static.klipy.com
Avengers Assemble with Thor
Alt: Avengers Assemble - camera pans around the Avengers on a New York (?) street. Thor chairs the staff meeting.
22715
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
90 years ago, Parliament responded to the rise of Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts by passing the Public Order Act, which banned political uniforms, private militias and the threat of force for political objects. The debates make very resonant reading today. Here's the Liberal Robert Bernays. (Short 🧵)
You cannot conduct a fair match when one side is playing with a ball and the other with bombs and, if democracy is to survive, it must be conducted according to definite and recognised rule. One of them is that no political party should resort to any weapon other than reason and argument. The introduction of private armies, as I see it, strikes at the root of democracy. I know it is contended that the Blackshirts are not armed and, therefore, are not an army, but I do not think that argument can be upheld. … Uniformed men in military formation suggest, and are meant to suggest, the idea of force. It is no argument to reply that at this or that demonstration no force is intended. It is an inescapable fact that a uniform in politics symbolises force, to be used either now or in the future.
4123721265
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The Tesla Museum in Belgrade is pretty awesome. Lots of working exhibits. The Egg of Columbus is particularly novel. Electric!
010
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
000
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Very concerning election for Germany. Fingers crossed for the least awful outcome.
010
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Free weekend update is out. First story. Ukraine and Russia both face a brutal Fall and Winter. The policy of trying to prevent escalation has failed and made things worse. Also, Trump speaks truthfully about Ukraine and Russia. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/weekend-up...
phillipspobrien.substack.com
Weekend Update #201: It Will Be A Brutal Fall and Winter
Trump Speaks His Truth About Russia And Ukraine: Drapatyi’s Principles
1223876
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Looking forward to spending a week in Belgrade, but will admit this is a strange backdrop. www.euronews.com/2026/09/05/b...
euronews.com
War criminal Mladić commemorated in Belgrade, but no state honours
Thousands are expected at Mladić's burial in Belgrade on Monday, which will proceed without serving officials, artillery salutes or ceremonial military presence. Brussels has earlier said any glorific...
000
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Cowards seeking to intimidate the public. This is the sort of behaviour you need to be intolerant towards in order to protect a tolerant society. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Black-clad protesters in balaclavas block road at port of Dover in Kent
Traffic on A20 in and out of port grinds to halt as Kent police say they are in attendance and engaging with group
050
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
My winding recovery from burnout is currently being hindered by German university processes, which rival Deutsche Bahn in their timeliness. I crave some finality.
000
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Fingers crossed this holds up with more data. Could be exciting.
020
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Good luck Nancy Grace Roman! Exciting to see it made real and in space.
030
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
SpaceKate @spacekate.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Ooh cute - you can adopt a pixel from one of Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s first images. Check out go.nasa.gov/adoptapixel - they just launched the site during the launch livestream. You get a little certificate too - great for kids (and big kids!).
go.nasa.gov
Adopt a Pixel Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope - NASA Science
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a next-generation space observatory designed to settle essential questions in the areas of dark energy,
0237
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 27/08/2026
NASA and SpaceX are targeting #NASARoman’s liftoff for no earlier than 7:26 a.m. EDT Sunday, August 30, from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 🎥 Launch coverage begins at 6:20 a.m. 🔭
nasa.gov
NASA Sets Coverage for Roman Space Telescope Launch from Florida - NASA
Coverage plans are ready for NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope prelaunch and launch activities. Roman is NASA's next-generation observatory designed to
113745
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Such a good sketch. It’s such a strange part of teaching and academia that you work in an open system that resets most of the people around you every year. youtu.be/8AeCo3AD1cM?...
youtu.be
Confused Teacher Crashes Out Over His Job | Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping | Channel 4 Comedy
YouTube video by Channel 4 Comedy
083
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 28/08/2026
Named for NASA's first chief astronomer, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is expected to reveal new information about the expansion of the universe and discover multitudes of planets orbiting distant stars. #NASARoman 🔭
npr.org
NASA is about to launch a space telescope that could change how we see the universe
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches Aug. 30 on a mission to explore some of the most pressing mysteries of the cosmos.
27824
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
static.klipy.com
Tim Curry: Uncorrupted Space
ALT: Tim Curry: Uncorrupted Space
001
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft @maxplanck.de · 26/08/2026
#NASA's Roman Space Telescope, named after NASA 1st chief astronomer, Nancy Grace Roman, is set to launch Aug. 30🔭✨. It's designed to directly image #exoplanets using complex opto-mechanical systems developed by our very own colleagues 😊@ Max Planck Institute f. Astronomy @mpi-astro.bsky.social
mpg.de
Enabling images of distant worlds
Researchers in Heidelberg developed precision mechanisms for the Roman Space Telescope to make planets visible next to their stars.
0112
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
Andrew Copson @andrewcopson.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
“I wouldn’t even say I’m religious, though I grew up with that background. But I have a lot of faith in myself.” Timely to re-read the wonderful interview with Dolly Parton in @newhumanist.bsky.social - a joyful inspired person with a broad and creative worldview newhumanist.org.uk/articles/the...
newhumanist.org.uk
The Queen of Country on her personal philosophy
Dolly Parton talks to New Humanist about her latest album, her remarkable career and her liberal approach to faith
17426
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Those that love democracy in the US really need to pull their fingers out and get active. It’s disturbing the extent the Trump administration is laying groundwork to put try to put its finger on the scales.
000
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Coming to the conclusion that German administrators are like mathematicians. Their answers to questions are literally correct, but so narrowly interpreted as to be almost useless.
020
Reposted by Jonathan Pritchard
SwiftOnSecurity @swiftonsecurity.com · 22/08/2026
budget
Lifecycle of Bureaucracy
Administrative costs
Expansion
Launch tight budgets modest pay minimal benefits high camaraderie
Contraction
Growth rapid growth in program and statting; morale nigh
Maturity
"mission creep"
union & admin gain political power;
depts solidfy, infighting
O
Bloat
budget is flat but admin costs rise; gaming the system and fraud are rife
copyright 2010 charles hugh smith
Budget Cuts program abandoned as focus shifts to protecting budget and staff pay/benefits
www.oftwominds.com
Failure/implosion the competent retire leaving the incompetent in command; morale low, chaos and failure the norm; organizational implosion
59916
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Really enjoyed The Odyssey. Glad some of the riffing on the obligation to hospitality and stories within a story structure made it into a Hollywood blockbuster. Powerful stuff.
010
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
It’s the infrastructure. So much the infrastructure. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/m...
nytimes.com
The Blackout That Could Devastate America
The power grid relies on thousands of aging, hand-built transformers. If enough fail, the blackout could last years.
000
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Take a deep breath. There is an ocean, but we only want to paddle and not to cross it.
000
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Second unexploded WWII bomb in two days found in Bonn. The Rhine is *really* low.
010
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Fingers crossed Netanyahu and his disastrous government lose power in October. Maybe some sanity might return to Israel. economist.com/interactive/...
economist.com
Israel election poll tracker: will Binyamin Netanyahu hold on to power?
The Economist is tracking the contest for Israel’s Knesset
010
Jonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
It’s amazing how low the Rhine is at the moment in Bonn. And the absence of major shipping is eerie. www.ft.com/content/df4f...
031