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Soheb Mandhai, PhD

@theastrophoenix.bsky.social
3.3K followers 5.3K following 477 posts

Astrophysicist/ Sci-Artist/Start-Up. I love 3D modelling and printing (among other hobbies + puns). Research: GW/EM + Spider Pulsars + Galaxy Dynamics. Happy to talk art, physics, or games! Views are my own. Links: linktr.ee/theastrophoenix

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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Took this a step further by adding a layer of outflows and dust absorption. Then used the compositor nodes to make it look more akin to a real space image.
An angled (almost edge on) view of a galaxy. It has a bright yellow center with spirals of red clouds. It has purple spiral arms and a whispy outer ring. There are a few stars visible scattered across the background and foreground of the galaxy. There's a film grain which makes the galaxy look like a photograph.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Today's fun experiment: Playing around with the creation of my own procedural galaxy in blender. I'm very rusty but the 5090 is treating me nicely. Still not where it needs to be but it's progress! Once I've nailed the formula, I'll turn it into a single node group for future projects.
A render of a galaxy like structure. There's a yellow halo in the centre of the image surrounded by a cloudy disk with two distinct spiral like structures. The spirals have shades of blue and purple. In-between each spiral arm are sub structures that are blue and purple. There are reddish hues representing gas through the galaxy.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Had the privilege to go to a LiSA concert a few days ago and it was incredible. From SAO to Shangri La Frontiers and Demon Slayer, I saw my weeb journey unfold in an amazing musical experience. She also played songs from her latest album - catchy beats paired with versatile vocals.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Today's fun experiment: Playing around with the creation of my own procedural galaxy in blender. I'm very rusty but the 5090 is treating me nicely. Still not where it needs to be but it's progress! Once I've nailed the formula, I'll turn it into a single node group for future projects.
A render of a galaxy like structure. There's a yellow halo in the centre of the image surrounded by a cloudy disk with two distinct spiral like structures. The spirals have shades of blue and purple. In-between each spiral arm are sub structures that are blue and purple. There are reddish hues representing gas through the galaxy.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I miss Unreal Tournament... :(
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
A world without popups of any kind would be better... Just had one whilst I was logging in to check an order :')
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I do think understand how making Oscar a toxic degenerate in Duolingo Chess is meant to facilitate learning... Also the ELO punishment for losing a game is extreme...
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Good Law Project: The PM says he wants public control of water, but water companies are still spilling sewage and hiking up our bills. Add your name to make sure Burnham keeps his word. water-rip-off.goodlawproject.org/s/AvlgZH
water-rip-off.goodlawproject.org
Stop the water industry rip-off
The PM says he wants public control of water, but water companies are still spilling sewage and hiking up our bills. Add your name.
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Marcus Lower @astromelow.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Can empty space alter the behaviour of light? Turns out the answer is seemingly yes, if you have a magnetar on hand! Using NASA’s IXPE and NICER telescopes + the CSIRO’s Murriyang radio telescope, we may have finally detected this effect 🔭 🧪 ☄️ Publication in Nature: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
On the left is a magnetar, a sphere surrounded by donut shaped threads of a powerful magnetic field. Beams of radio waves blast out from the magnetic poles, shown as red jets of light. On the surface of the magnetar is a bright hot spot. A zoom-in on the hotspot illustrates X-rays (wiggly lines) becoming increasingly polarised as they interact with pairs of virtual particles that pop in out of existence (blue and red dots linked by arrows to small pops).
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Toby Rodel 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🦕🦖 @astrotobe.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
As well as the great artwork accompanying the press release by @theastrophoenix.bsky.social, I have to also highlight this animation by Ben Cadell. I think it really nicely shows off how all the data came together to show us this planet in all its glory!
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 27/06/2026
Residents in southern Lebanon’s Tyre and the capital Beirut expressed sharply different reactions on Saturday after an initial framework agreement was signed between Israel and Lebanon following US-mediated talks in Washington.
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Yesterday Israel announced that it will never leave the areas in Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank or Syria (Who they haven't been at war with) that they illegally occupy. Western Media didn't even mention it.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
This is just the beginning. Join our movement of hope: Join.greenparty.org.uk
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Random thought: A shining force 2 remake would be incredible
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
A Government of lies and u-turns. And a failure to end rip off Britain. In May millions of people have a chance to vote for something better. Hope and a plan.
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Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics @perimeterinstitute.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
From October 19-21, this workshop will bring together the most innovative science communicators helping to connect the public with topics in physics and astronomy. Learn more and make your submission by May 15th: events.perimeterinstitute.ca/event/2128
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Where to find the words anymore? What to say when Israel continues to behave like this? And no condemnation at all from the UK Government. They carry on business as usual as if Israel aren't carrying out genocides in both Gaza and Lebanon. aje.news/jf7llm
aje.news
At least 254 killed in Israel’s devastating attacks across Lebanon
Israel carries out 100 strikes across Lebanon in 10 minutes, health minister says hospitals overwhelmed with victims.
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 08/04/2026
This is a breaking news story.
aljazeera.com
Israeli attack kills Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Wishah in Gaza
This is a breaking news story.
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Dr Julia Grace Patterson @jujuliagrace.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
What could possibly go wrong?!👇🚨🚨🚨 www.hsj.co.uk/technology-a...
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Gaza and Lebanon have been invaded by Israel and are being Ethnically Cleansed and Genocided and all the West does is ignore it or provide lies to cover it up.
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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
What Privatisation has done for you. Most expensive Energy in the world. Dirtest most expensive Water in Europe in England. Slowest most expensive Mail ever. Slowest most expensive Trains in Europe Least number of Hospital beds ever.
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Dr Julia Grace Patterson @jujuliagrace.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
A major private healthcare boss paid thousands 💰 towards an MP’s General Election campaign 🚨
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 22/03/2026
Settlers set fire to homes and cars near Jenin amid reports of widespread violence across the occupied territory.
aljazeera.com
Casualties as Israeli settlers set fire to homes and cars in West Bank
Settlers set fire to homes and cars near Jenin amid reports of widespread violence across the occupied territory.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
What if I'm the dragonborn and I just don't know it yet?
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
A joint Eid for the first time in a while. Eid Mubarak, folks!
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Reuters @reuters.com · 05/03/2026
WHO says it has verified 13 attacks on health sites in Iran reut.rs/4rP5zlx
reut.rs
WHO says it has verified 13 attacks on health sites in Iran
The World Health Organization chief said on Thursday that it ‌has verified 13 attacks on health infrastructure in Iran amid a U.S.-Israeli campaign and it was checking reports that four healthcare workers were killed and 25 ​others injured.
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WIRED @wired.com · 02/03/2026
Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad on bearing witness, the fragile power of social media, and why documenting lived reality matters more than ever. www.wired.com/story/plesti...
wired.com
When the Internet Goes Dark, the Truth Goes With It
Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad on bearing witness, the fragile power of social media, and why documenting lived reality matters more than ever.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
If I had built my computer two months later, it'd have costed £1000 more... If I had built it it a month earlier, it'd have been around £500 cheaper.
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 28/02/2026
In case you’re just waking up, the U.S. has teamed up with Israel overnight to start an illegal war of regime change, apparently on a presidential whim with no involvement of Congress, and they are already committing horrific atrocities.
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Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
The Green victory in Denton is the result which will have the biggest effect on Labour, far more so than a Reform win. The blithe assumption progressives have nowhere else to go has been proved catastrophically wrong. Can’t help thinking of this quote from a Labour minister, a year ago…
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Jeremy Corbyn @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
In Gorton and Denton, vote for Hannah Spencer & the Greens. There is only one way we will defeat Reform: by working together.
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The Z&G Cats @zidanegarnetcats.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Hello, our names are Zidane (left) and Garnet (right). Our human mom named us after the protagonists of Final Fantasy IX. We’re bonded litter-mates, although our human questions the “bonded” bit. We keep her busy with the song of our peoples, smelly poops, and furry blizzards. Read on for bios!
A frontal shot of Zidane the cat, laying on a cat shelf mounted to a window. He is looking at the camera with a slight head tilt. His left paw hangs over the shelf, while the other paw is tucked under his chest.A frontal shot of Garnet the cat, laying on top of a computer case. Her paws are hanging over the case. Her head is slightly tilted, looking very cute.
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Celestial @celestialcelly.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
"Even with such terrible wounds, he still holds to his duty? Fly away, little man. Try to outrun death." I hope we get Sacred Stones remake one day because damn it I LOVE Eirika and Seth and I think they deserve to hog the spotlight a little bit 😌 #fireemblem #sacredstones #fe8
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
This past year has been an absolute sh*tshow for tech...
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
This has honestly made my blood boil. F*** Yahoo, F*** every corpo that has downgraded the user experience at each conceivable turn and spun as an "improvement". I've had my email for over 20 years...
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
If you're on upscrolled - you can find me under the same tag - theastrophoenix
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Feeling nostalgic about a show called UBOS (Ultimate Book of Spells) - does it ring a bell? I miss that art aesthetic (especially in point and click games from the 90s).
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John Stott @jpsastro.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Some worrying stuff from UKRI/STFC in terms of funding today. "we will be asking individual projects...how their project would respond to flat cash and reductions of 20%, 40% and 60%, and also identify the funding point at which the project becomes non-viable." 🧪🔭 #academicsky
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Jenn 🇺🇸 @jennsutt.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Wael died on Friday. Listen and remember his testimony. RIP 🕊️
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Microsoft should truly be ashamed of how they've ruined the Windows experience at every conceivable turn. Genuinely hating Windows 11, it's buggy, insidiously intrusive, and temperamental.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
I did it, I finally did it. I built my monstrous machine (thanks to a very helpful friend). Rendered a nebula that took 2.5-4 hours on my laptop in 1 minute... Same render settings with the exception of more light paths and samples (which should slow it down) + blender 5
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
I miss the days when updates to software brought value. Not remove, break, and lock features.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Joy boy's haki though :')
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Joseph Cox @josephcox.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
This is a wild hack. a16z gave a million dollars to startup called Doublespeed. They use a phone farm to flood social media with AI generated influencers and ads. A hacker remotely broke into the phone farm, unmasking the AI influencers/fake accounts, gave us the data www.404media.co/hack-reveals...
404media.co
Hack Reveals the a16z-Backed Phone Farm Flooding TikTok With AI Influencers
A hacker gained control of a 1,100 mobile phone farm powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
I've spent years waiting for the moment that I could build an epic pc to create more 3D renders. After 3 years of waiting and biding my time, I was ready... And then the fucking RAM prices quadrupled in 6 weeks. What the actual fuck... (Apologies for the foul language but genuinely, wtf).
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NPR @npr.org · 24/11/2025
The Pentagon says it's opening an investigation into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly in the wake of a video of Democratic lawmakers urging servicemembers not to comply with 'illegal orders." n.pr/480zD6s
n.pr
Pentagon investigates Democrat senator for telling troops to refuse 'illegal orders'
The Pentagon says it's opening an investigation into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly in the wake of a video of Democratic lawmakers urging servicemembers not to comply with 'illegal orders."
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Sick and tired of the dehumanisation of refugees. Shabana Mahmood comes from an adjacent ethnic background to me. Our ancestors faced similar discrimination to the one she's now pushing for. No different from ilk of Sunak, Patel, Braverman, and Yusuf.
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Soheb Mandhai, PhD @theastrophoenix.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
And that's a wrap supervising and judging another excellent student hackathon at the University of Manchester!
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