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Richard Easther

@rjme.bsky.social
3.6K followers 385 following 4.4K posts

Father, husband, scientist, Kiwi diaspora returnee, prof @aucklanduni.bsky.social‬ - opinions mine. He/Him Science: cosmology.auckland.ac.nz Blog: excursionset.com Newsletter: buttondown.com/excursionset

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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 15h
Two cool (new to me and maybe news!) stories from #nzas26 - Dawn Aerospace will operate their Aurora spaceplane out of Cornwall UK 1/2
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 18h
Aerospace summit kicking off...
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Making a playlist to encourage my code...
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
All I can is that the Global Cheese Boutique (or its AI) does NOT appear to have grown up in a place where "cutting the cheese" was an act best not performed in the company of others.
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Jolisa Gracewood @nzdodo.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Ah yes – the ancient chorus of hoarders of wealth (and those too easily persuaded there is no value in pooling our resources to achieve the greater good)... #nzpol
Smaug, atop an immense hoard of gold, saying "no new taxes".
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Run, run, run...
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Jolisa Gracewood @nzdodo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
“Ruby Tui belted out Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi at Eden Park, and 40,000 fans sang with her. Four months later, Harry Styles sang the first line of the song at his concert in Auckland and the crowd sang the rest back to him. This was who we were. And this is what Jordan Williams set out to destroy.” #nzpol
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Ed Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Happy Stanislav Petrov Day He passed in 2017. As Encyclopedia Britannica puts it, “He is survived by his two children, two grandchildren, and the entire human race.” If you don't know his story, please take 3 minutes now to learn it. @gchalliance.bsky.social @docsforclimate.bsky.social
sammatey.substack.com
Happy Stanislav Petrov Day
Take five minutes to not destroy civilization
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Mal Function @mister-fishy.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A cat on Joe Rogan says they have never been fed, Rogan responds 'Wow'
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Jolisa Gracewood @nzdodo.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Walked in on the cat making yet another podcast; tiptoed back out. #nzpets
A very hard “excuse you” stare from a black and white cat sitting on a desk, with a microphone set-up at face level.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Here's today's column on the astonishing, ongoing mistreatment of people with #ME/CFS. Please spread it far and wide: the only thing which can break the media's wall of indifference is seeing an article about the issue go viral. Thank you. 1/2 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Abandoned, dismissed and gaslighted: there is no excuse for the way ME sufferers have been betrayed | George Monbiot
Changes in guidance and science seem to have little impact on millions of devastated lives. It’s a social crisis playing out behind closed doors, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Got sent this and didn't read it closely enough to realise it wasn't from Auckland, and thought I was one of the astronomers. (Which would be unfair as I realised a couple of years ago that Pluto Concern had peaked -- we are now seeing u/gs who have never lived in a solar system with 9 planets)
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This mockup says "Gemini Notebook" -- but it apparently depicts new boatsheds with a stone wall between their doors and the actual sea? How is that supposed to work? www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/...
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Fat Bear Week. Front page, above the fold.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
TFW someone in academia you believe to be both an idiot and an a-hole turns out to have a tiny climate denial substack.
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Sean Richards | Toitū Te Tiriti | they/she @ordinarystarman.com · 23/09/2026
can't believe I get to say this, but I'm now officially Dr Sean Richards! I got profiled by the University website on my journey -- "from gamer to stargazer", and being the first Sāmoan physicist from the University of Auckland. www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026...
auckland.ac.nz
From gamer to stargazer: first Sāmoan astrophysicist graduates with PhD – University of Auckland
Dr Sean Richards' research helps astronomers more accurately model the formation of neutron stars and other extreme cosmic phenomena.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
(Sorry typo in that -- Maharishi University of Management)
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Interestingly, one of their advisors is Guy Hatchard -- a prominent vaccine skeptic whose work draws on "Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Vedic Science". Which fits with his PhD, which is from the Mataharishi University of Management in Iowa. It's a real thing, but... hatchardreport.com/about-guy/
hatchardreport.com
About Guy | Hatchard Report
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This needs a serious look -- NZ First copied their health policy almost word-for-word from the website of an advocacy group stuffed with fringe practitioners and for-profit "supplement" pedlars... www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361...
stuff.co.nz
NZ First’s health policy copy-pasted from advocacy group’s website
New Zealand First released a health policy on Sunday that is largely copy-and-pasted from a charitable trust called Make New Zealand Healthy.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Folks -- anyone keen to put their hand up on this; email in the alt text and my contact details are easy to find?
The New Zealand Institute of Physics is developing a campaign to convey information about I build support for physics (news items, career information, study opportunities etc) to a ariety of audiences (young people, teachers, physics professionals, policy makers etc. 

Part of is work includes the design and development of a communications strategy (along with a website and potentially associated printed materials) and we are seeking expressions of interest to help build this.

president@nzip.org.nz
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Re-upping this, ahead of tonight. But still ready for it to be a book of poems about cats.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This needs a serious look -- NZ First copied their health policy almost word-for-word from the website of an advocacy group stuffed with fringe practitioners and for-profit "supplement" pedlars... www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361...
stuff.co.nz
NZ First’s health policy copy-pasted from advocacy group’s website
New Zealand First released a health policy on Sunday that is largely copy-and-pasted from a charitable trust called Make New Zealand Healthy.
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Kelly Whyte @kellywhyte.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I'm sure it's obvious to anyone; if they cared about nutrition, we wouldn't have Seymour slop. If they cared about healthcare, we wouldn't have the current staffing crisis. If they cared about research, they wouldn't have cut funding to the bone. Look at what they do, not what they say. #nzpol
rnz.co.nz
New Zealand First reveals plan for 'bold shift' in healthcare
New Zealand First has released its plan to "Make NZ Healthy", promising to put prevention at the centre of healthcare if re-elected.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Yo, Hager comin'
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Who was nerdy enough to take a bike along for his first ride on the CRL? While wearing his nerdiest t-shirt?
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
FWIW, Henry is getting roasted on Xitter by people who think JA is the devil and that most of the population (ie those who think she doesn't have horns and a tail) can't read. Whereas here he is getting gentle disagreement from academics :)
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I asked a young person to clue me in on Ed Sheeran so I could keep up with the discourse; on top of everything else, whoever did that to his torso should be in the Hague.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
You may not think that theoretical physics and research into building materials have much in common -- but turns out our expertise in both areas is threatened by government reforms... www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
rnz.co.nz
Decades of building industry research at risk
The future of our world-respected building research association is looking shaky with a government move to cut the dedicated levy that funds it.
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Jolisa Gracewood @nzdodo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
“I’d expected a thrilling shimmer of excitement & unreality to hover over the whole experience…instead, it felt completely real and everyday; entirely delightful and entirely ordinary. Like Narnia, but normal: open the wardrobe doors, and step out into your city.” CRL thoughts from me and the guys:
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Guinevere @fairguinevere.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Photos from the Karanga-a-hape station first look to celebrate CRL eve. So excited to be able to have more and better trains in Auckland! Pentax MX Ilford hp5+@800 in Xtol.
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Jolisa Gracewood @nzdodo.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
SUCH a fun day, riding the trains and seeing all the people! And on my way home, I just had to swing by and let Robbie know it all worked out okay. He seemed pretty chuffed. ✊🚇 #CRL
Me, whispering some good news into the ear of (the statue of) Sir Dove-Myer Robinson, a notable former mayor of Auckland City, who from the late 1960s championed what was known as “Robbie’s Rapid Rail”, an underground and electrified rail link for Auckland.

He didn’t quite manage to get it across the line in his lifetime. But I reckon he’d have been pretty chuffed with today’s opening of the City Rail Link, a whole lifetime later. (Brought about in no small part by the tenacious campaigning of a worthy successor - the first mayor of the newly amalgamated “super city”, Len Brown.)

The statue of Robbie, by Tobias Twiss, depicts the small but mighty mayor with one fist in the air. He stands in Aotea Square near the Town Hall, within cooee of the new underground Te Waihorotiu station, predicted to be the city’s busiest railway station. Vindication at last!
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Who was nerdy enough to take a bike along for his first ride on the CRL? While wearing his nerdiest t-shirt?
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Greater Auckland @greaterauckland.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
A three thumbs up kinda day 😁👍😁👍😁👍 #CRL @connorsharp.bsky.social @patrickreynolds.bsky.social
A bunch of Greater Auckland guys, first up and best dressed and enjoying this morning’s first train through the CRL stations, on Sunday 13 September 2026. Left to right: Matt Lowrie, Connor Sharp and Patrick Reynolds.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I love teaching Maxwell's equations btw; I've probably introduced several hundred people to them for the first time over the years. (Re-reading my blog on this I am implicitly comparing myself to both Gandalf and the Karate Kid's Mr Miyagi, but there are worse role-models to have)
excursionset.com
Wax On, Wax Off: Physics and the Hero’s Journey - Excursion Set
With just a few strokes of chalk, we see that lightning and rainbows are drawn from the same well of knowledge. What’s delightful, from the teacher's perspective, is that this last step is much simple...
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
But, unlike Newton and Einstein, Maxwell's impact on our understanding of the universe is often less under-appreciated outside the community.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
On top of that, Maxwell's mathematical description of electricity and magnetism in terms of fields lays the foundations for what became modern particle physics and quantum field theory.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
In fact, Einstein's first paper on relativity "Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper" or "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" introduces relativity to make sense of what would otherwise be apparent paradoxes in Maxwell's equations. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annus_m...
en.wikipedia.org
Annus mirabilis papers - Wikipedia
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
We've never needed to change them since then, beyond what is required to make sense of them in a quantum world -- but the nucleus of special relativity is already hidden inside them.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
For those in the know, Maxwell is likely the greatest theoretical physicist between Newton and Einstein. He lived from 1831 to 1879 and laid key foundations of statistical mechanics and wrote down the equations of classical electromagnetism ("Maxwell's equations") in their final form in the 1860s
en.wikipedia.org
James Clerk Maxwell - Wikipedia
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Folks, it's not often that physics-fans are asked to donate money to a small Scottish church, but this is going to be one of those times -- since the church is the last resting place of James Clerk Maxwell... www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
justgiving.com
Help raise £70000 to Save Parton Kirk – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to Save Parton Kirk. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
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Nat Torkington @gnat.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Donated. ✅ Community project ✅ Benefiting a small community ✅ FOR SCIENCE! Some day I hope to go visit and see ... Maxwell's field. 🥁
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Folks, it's not often that physics-fans are asked to donate money to a small Scottish church, but this is going to be one of those times -- since the church is the last resting place of James Clerk Maxwell... www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
justgiving.com
Help raise £70000 to Save Parton Kirk – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to Save Parton Kirk. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
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Jolisa Gracewood @nzdodo.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
So at today's CRL ribbon-cutting the Minister for Rail had a grumble re the new station names in te reo Māori: "All around the world, it's New York Central, London Central; why not Auckland Central Station." Lol, no. It's Grand Central, Paddington, King's Cross, Roma Termini, Gare du Nord, etc 🧐🤓🤷‍♀️
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Robert "The Bobby Yaga" McNees @mcnees.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This is shocking to hear! Einstein kept a picture of Maxwell on his office wall and admired him more than any other scientist. Every fall I teach a whole course about his work. This is like hearing that Westminster Abbey might be purchased so a new car rental place can built on Newton’s grave.
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Seamus Blackley @seamus.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Please consider helping. The device you’re seeing this on owes much to Maxwell.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
This is shameful. Waikato had no trouble finding $1M for Joyce to lobby for their new med school but now it wants $5M from ratepayers to build it. Looks like a classic case of "asking for forgiveness, instead of permission"
rnz.co.nz
Waikato University wants millions in ratepayer subsidies for new medical school
Waikato University is asking for millions of dollars in ratepayer subsidies for its new medical school, but one Hamilton councillor says it is a central government issue and ratepayers should not foot...
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Biker "Cash Bazooka" Chiwi @bikerchiwi.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
What's interesting here to me is that big brain Quigley hadn't done his maths before embarking on this ambitious project. Or maybe begging for more money from government was his plan from the get go? #nzpol
rnz.co.nz
Waikato University wants millions in ratepayer subsidies for new medical school
Waikato University is asking for millions of dollars in ratepayer subsidies for its new medical school, but one Hamilton councillor says it is a central government issue and ratepayers should not foot...
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Next would be to show you respect science by fixing its funding issues.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Astonishing, heartwarming story in the NY Times (and, for those who like a "New Zealand mentioned", Vaughn Jones is the only ever kiwi Fields Medalist) www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/s...
nytimes.com
The 92-Year-Old Mathematician and the Teenage Apprentice (Gift Article)
Joan Birman thought her major discoveries were behind her. Then came an email from a young neighbor — a girl who knew little but wanted to learn.
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Richard Easther @rjme.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Astonishing, heartwarming story in the NY Times (and, for those who like a "New Zealand mentioned", Vaughn Jones is the only ever kiwi Fields Medalist) www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/s...
nytimes.com
The 92-Year-Old Mathematician and the Teenage Apprentice (Gift Article)
Joan Birman thought her major discoveries were behind her. Then came an email from a young neighbor — a girl who knew little but wanted to learn.
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