Duncan Christie
@astroduncan.bsky.social
Astrophysicist. Postdoctoral researcher at the MPIA. Exoplanet atmospheres. (he/him/his)
www.duncanchristie.net
www.duncanchristie.net
Pinned
Duncan Christie
@astroduncan.bsky.social
· Sep 28
Normalize submitting to arXiv after acceptance instead of on submission.
Reposted by Duncan Christie
Great piece by astronomer and SETI leader Jason Wright on the endless, exhausting claims about 3I/Atlas by Avi Loeb.
"zero planetary scientists give Avi’s claims any credence... because he’s demonstrably wrong"
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
"zero planetary scientists give Avi’s claims any credence... because he’s demonstrably wrong"
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
Loeb’s 3I/ATLAS “Anomalies” Explained
Avi Loeb continues to claim that 3I/ATLAS has many anomalous behaviors that lead to the conclusion that it “might” be an alien spacecraft. He carefully hedges the probability that it is a spacecraft ...
sites.psu.edu
November 10, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Great piece by astronomer and SETI leader Jason Wright on the endless, exhausting claims about 3I/Atlas by Avi Loeb.
"zero planetary scientists give Avi’s claims any credence... because he’s demonstrably wrong"
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
"zero planetary scientists give Avi’s claims any credence... because he’s demonstrably wrong"
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
Reposted by Duncan Christie
Looking to start a PhD in Physics & Astronomy in 2026? The team @physicsuol.bsky.social have announced their STFC-funded projects on offer next year, spanning astrophysics, planetary science, and space instrumentation. Deadline: Jan 18th, contact us to learn more!
le.ac.uk/study/resear...
le.ac.uk/study/resear...
November 7, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Looking to start a PhD in Physics & Astronomy in 2026? The team @physicsuol.bsky.social have announced their STFC-funded projects on offer next year, spanning astrophysics, planetary science, and space instrumentation. Deadline: Jan 18th, contact us to learn more!
le.ac.uk/study/resear...
le.ac.uk/study/resear...
Reposted by Duncan Christie
The agency has already been irreparably damaged, capacity and culture destroyed, decades worth of experience shown the door. "NASA" is the strongest name brand in the world, a metonymy for our highest ideals as humans. It is being bulldozed by people who don't understand (or care) what we're losing.
After 13 years as the top federal workplace, NASA is facing an employee exodus and months of turmoil after deep budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration.
If fully implemented, the changes could reshape U.S. science for years.
If fully implemented, the changes could reshape U.S. science for years.
NASA has lost thousands of workers. Here’s what that means for science.
Staffers told The Post about months of turmoil and sweeping changes that, if fully implemented, could transform NASA and American science beyond the Trump years.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The agency has already been irreparably damaged, capacity and culture destroyed, decades worth of experience shown the door. "NASA" is the strongest name brand in the world, a metonymy for our highest ideals as humans. It is being bulldozed by people who don't understand (or care) what we're losing.
Reposted by Duncan Christie
I will also just remind you that NASA used to have a bunch of advisory committees that all would have raised the red flag on this... But we were all disbanded, along with most advisory panels, in the spring.
November 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I will also just remind you that NASA used to have a bunch of advisory committees that all would have raised the red flag on this... But we were all disbanded, along with most advisory panels, in the spring.
Reposted by Duncan Christie
You might ask why... It seems to be two things. One, Project 2025 makes it clear the authors do not believe that government scientific capacity should exist. They are doing everything they can do to make that happen.
And Goddard is in a blue state. They are making an example.
And Goddard is in a blue state. They are making an example.
November 6, 2025 at 3:44 PM
You might ask why... It seems to be two things. One, Project 2025 makes it clear the authors do not believe that government scientific capacity should exist. They are doing everything they can do to make that happen.
And Goddard is in a blue state. They are making an example.
And Goddard is in a blue state. They are making an example.
Reposted by Duncan Christie
This is how you incinerate a field of science. 🔭🧪
NASA is sinking its flagship science center during the government shutdown — and may be breaking the law in the process, critics say
"There is just a general acknowledgement that a lot of what is happening is illegal…"
www.space.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:39 AM
This is how you incinerate a field of science. 🔭🧪
Reposted by Duncan Christie
We’re now watching the murder of space sciences in America. Unless someone can stop this, this is the beginning of the end.
The brain drain will accelerate until there’s nothing left to stay for. 🧪🔭
The brain drain will accelerate until there’s nothing left to stay for. 🧪🔭
Most of the Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt Campus is planned to be demolished by March 2026, if not sooner.
www.space.com/space-explor...
www.space.com/space-explor...
November 6, 2025 at 2:36 AM
We’re now watching the murder of space sciences in America. Unless someone can stop this, this is the beginning of the end.
The brain drain will accelerate until there’s nothing left to stay for. 🧪🔭
The brain drain will accelerate until there’s nothing left to stay for. 🧪🔭
Reposted by Duncan Christie
EXPEDITIOUSLY AT LOUD VOLUME
i hope this election cycle empowers everyone the next time a centrist liberal says to drop pro-trans and pro-immigrant rhetoric to enthusiastically tell them to shut the fuck up
November 5, 2025 at 4:54 AM
EXPEDITIOUSLY AT LOUD VOLUME
It's motivated by AI slop being posted, but I would like to see this extended to other arXiv categories.
blog.arxiv.org/2025/10/31/a...
blog.arxiv.org/2025/10/31/a...
Attention Authors: Updated Practice for Review Articles and Position Papers in arXiv CS Category – arXiv blog
blog.arxiv.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:10 AM
It's motivated by AI slop being posted, but I would like to see this extended to other arXiv categories.
blog.arxiv.org/2025/10/31/a...
blog.arxiv.org/2025/10/31/a...
Reposted by Duncan Christie
“We are told that AI is inevitable, that we must adapt or be left behind. But universities are not tech companies. Our role is to foster critical thinking, not to follow industry trends uncritically.”
‘Study after study shows that students want to develop these critical thinking skills, are not lazy, and large numbers of them would be in favor of banning ChatGPT and similar tools in universities’, says @olivia.science www.ru.nl/en/research/...
‘Opposing the inevitability of AI at universities is possible and necessary’ | Radboud University
Since the widespread release of ChatGPT in December of 2022, AI has taken over much of the world by storm – including academia. Most of this happened with very little pushback, despite a myriad of iss...
www.ru.nl
November 1, 2025 at 10:45 PM
“We are told that AI is inevitable, that we must adapt or be left behind. But universities are not tech companies. Our role is to foster critical thinking, not to follow industry trends uncritically.”
Reposted by Duncan Christie
Last chance to turn it off.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
October 31, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Last chance to turn it off.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
Reposted by Duncan Christie
We've collected 65 individual exoplanet atmosphere composition measurements to look for population-level trends 🔭 #exoplanets
To do this, we had to create a toolkit to standardize between definitions of . We call it ExoComp. (Yes, that's a Star Trek reference 😀).
To do this, we had to create a toolkit to standardize between definitions of . We call it ExoComp. (Yes, that's a Star Trek reference 😀).
October 31, 2025 at 1:35 PM
We've collected 65 individual exoplanet atmosphere composition measurements to look for population-level trends 🔭 #exoplanets
To do this, we had to create a toolkit to standardize between definitions of . We call it ExoComp. (Yes, that's a Star Trek reference 😀).
To do this, we had to create a toolkit to standardize between definitions of . We call it ExoComp. (Yes, that's a Star Trek reference 😀).
Reposted by Duncan Christie
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
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The official home of the Python Programming Language
www.python.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
🧵
🧵
Alastair Claringbold ( @exoarcturus.bsky.social ) gave a great talk this week on Temperate Jupiters as a part of the BOWIE+ ECR Highlight Series.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmCD...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmCD...
Chemistry and Aerosols of Temperate Jupiters
YouTube video by BOWIE+ Seminars
www.youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Alastair Claringbold ( @exoarcturus.bsky.social ) gave a great talk this week on Temperate Jupiters as a part of the BOWIE+ ECR Highlight Series.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmCD...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmCD...
Reposted by Duncan Christie
SAVE THE DATE! The 11th AAS Topical Conference Series (AASTCS): Exoplanet Atmospheres 2026 will take place in Denver. Join astronomers, planetary scientists & researchers from around the world for an in-depth exploration of one of the most dynamic fields in science today. More details soon 🔭
October 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
SAVE THE DATE! The 11th AAS Topical Conference Series (AASTCS): Exoplanet Atmospheres 2026 will take place in Denver. Join astronomers, planetary scientists & researchers from around the world for an in-depth exploration of one of the most dynamic fields in science today. More details soon 🔭
Reposted by Duncan Christie
Do you know how many of 340 astronomy/astrophysics PhDs earned in 2024 were by Native Americans? Zero. Do you know how many of 323 astro PhDs earned in 2023 were by Native Americans? Zero. How many of 289 in 2022? One. 1 / 952 PhDs in 2022-2024 = 0.1%. (Data from NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates) 🔭
October 17, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Do you know how many of 340 astronomy/astrophysics PhDs earned in 2024 were by Native Americans? Zero. Do you know how many of 323 astro PhDs earned in 2023 were by Native Americans? Zero. How many of 289 in 2022? One. 1 / 952 PhDs in 2022-2024 = 0.1%. (Data from NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates) 🔭
Reposted by Duncan Christie
PhD opportunity here at MPIA to work with @paulmolliere.bsky.social !!
Seeking PhD candidates that want to do a thesis on exoplanet atmosphere retrieval + machine learning inference. Please apply by 31 October to Dr. Max Dax's and my shared project here: is.mpg.de/news/new-max... . Abstract for the thesis project is attached to this thread below!
New Max Planck Artificial Intelligence Network Starts Call for Applications for its Ph.D. Program
The Max Planck Artificial Intelligence Network is a Ph.D. Program that provides doctoral researchers with fully funded Ph.D. fellowships and a pool of outstanding faculty comprising directors and inde...
is.mpg.de
October 17, 2025 at 12:56 PM
PhD opportunity here at MPIA to work with @paulmolliere.bsky.social !!
Reposted by Duncan Christie
One of the terrible things about the conservative elites’ attacks on higher education is that they are giving their constituents the impression that the universe isn’t big, complicated, and fascinating — that it really does take this many people to work out how even a small fraction of it works
October 15, 2025 at 3:25 AM
One of the terrible things about the conservative elites’ attacks on higher education is that they are giving their constituents the impression that the universe isn’t big, complicated, and fascinating — that it really does take this many people to work out how even a small fraction of it works
Reposted by Duncan Christie
Fascism is such a fundamental attack on wonder and the human imagination and I think everyone should have the opportunity to let their imagination wonder as it wanders — doesn’t matter what you do for a living. Your mind matters! Your relationship with the universe is meaningful!
October 15, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Fascism is such a fundamental attack on wonder and the human imagination and I think everyone should have the opportunity to let their imagination wonder as it wanders — doesn’t matter what you do for a living. Your mind matters! Your relationship with the universe is meaningful!
Reposted by Duncan Christie
after millions of views and shares of my Portland Frog art. (thank you all🙏🏾) I got requests to highlight priests, and chickens, and Chicagoans, and T-Rexes, and more… all of us who refuse to bend the knee. so this is for US.
𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚊𝚕𝚕.
𝚆𝚎 𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚆𝚒𝚗.
𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚊𝚕𝚕.
𝚆𝚎 𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚆𝚒𝚗.
October 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
after millions of views and shares of my Portland Frog art. (thank you all🙏🏾) I got requests to highlight priests, and chickens, and Chicagoans, and T-Rexes, and more… all of us who refuse to bend the knee. so this is for US.
𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚊𝚕𝚕.
𝚆𝚎 𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚆𝚒𝚗.
𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚊𝚕𝚕.
𝚆𝚎 𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚆𝚒𝚗.
Reposted by Duncan Christie
Are you someone who is interested in astronomy graduate school? This is a list of many/most departments and their expectations for admissions this year. Please feel free to spread it far and wide. If you are doing admissions and you'd like to update your entry, reach out as per the form!
US Astronomy Graduate Admissions, AY 2025-2026
docs.google.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Are you someone who is interested in astronomy graduate school? This is a list of many/most departments and their expectations for admissions this year. Please feel free to spread it far and wide. If you are doing admissions and you'd like to update your entry, reach out as per the form!
Reposted by Duncan Christie
I think for me the most compelling answer for "why fund basic research?" (and the one most relevant to the people doing the work) is that humans are curious and finding stuff out makes us happy and fulfilled. Science is a thing humans like. Life would be more dull and sad if we didn't do it.
end/🧵
end/🧵
October 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I think for me the most compelling answer for "why fund basic research?" (and the one most relevant to the people doing the work) is that humans are curious and finding stuff out makes us happy and fulfilled. Science is a thing humans like. Life would be more dull and sad if we didn't do it.
end/🧵
end/🧵
Reposted by Duncan Christie
New paper alert 🔔 If you like eclipse mapping and are excited for the future opportunities that Ariel will provide, then check it out!
(Bonus: writing an eclipse mapping proposal? We've ranked all the best eclipse mapping targets for both Ariel and JWST!)
arxiv.org/abs/2510.03147
(Bonus: writing an eclipse mapping proposal? We've ranked all the best eclipse mapping targets for both Ariel and JWST!)
arxiv.org/abs/2510.03147
Eclipse Mapping with Ariel: Future Prospects for a Population-Level Mapping Survey
Eclipse mapping is a powerful tool for measuring 3D profiles of exoplanet atmospheres. To date, only JWST has been capable of widely applying this technique, but as a general observatory, it is too ti...
arxiv.org
October 6, 2025 at 4:18 PM
New paper alert 🔔 If you like eclipse mapping and are excited for the future opportunities that Ariel will provide, then check it out!
(Bonus: writing an eclipse mapping proposal? We've ranked all the best eclipse mapping targets for both Ariel and JWST!)
arxiv.org/abs/2510.03147
(Bonus: writing an eclipse mapping proposal? We've ranked all the best eclipse mapping targets for both Ariel and JWST!)
arxiv.org/abs/2510.03147
Reposted by Duncan Christie
📣 Germany's close to reversing its opposition to mass surveillance & private message scanning, & backing the Chat Control bill. This could end private comms-& Signal-in the EU.
Time's short and they're counting on obscurity: please let German politicians know how horrifying their reversal would be.
Time's short and they're counting on obscurity: please let German politicians know how horrifying their reversal would be.
We are alarmed by reports that Germany is on the verge of a catastrophic about-face, reversing its longstanding and principled opposition to the EU’s Chat Control proposal which, if passed, could spell the end of the right to privacy in Europe. signal.org/blog/pdfs/ge...
signal.org
October 6, 2025 at 6:46 AM
📣 Germany's close to reversing its opposition to mass surveillance & private message scanning, & backing the Chat Control bill. This could end private comms-& Signal-in the EU.
Time's short and they're counting on obscurity: please let German politicians know how horrifying their reversal would be.
Time's short and they're counting on obscurity: please let German politicians know how horrifying their reversal would be.
Reposted by Duncan Christie
🚨🚨 My dear friend and fellow academic, the Palestinian American sociologist @emanabdelhadi.bsky.social has been taken by the Cook County Sheriff near Chicago. They have not mirandized her. Please signal boost. All eyes on Broadview for Eman and the community she was defending 🚨🚨
October 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
🚨🚨 My dear friend and fellow academic, the Palestinian American sociologist @emanabdelhadi.bsky.social has been taken by the Cook County Sheriff near Chicago. They have not mirandized her. Please signal boost. All eyes on Broadview for Eman and the community she was defending 🚨🚨