Ali
@astromaker.bsky.social
Humanist software engineer. Woodwork, Astronomy and all things sciency.
More replies to others than original posts.
I have a couple of 'controversial' opinions but always try to be polite.
More replies to others than original posts.
I have a couple of 'controversial' opinions but always try to be polite.
Messier 37, an open cluster in Auriga, about 4,500 light years from Earth, containing about 500 stars. Taken last weekend from light polluted Gloucester.
#astronomy #astrophotography #messier
flic.kr/p/2rRmQv7
#astronomy #astrophotography #messier
flic.kr/p/2rRmQv7
M37
Messier 37 is an open cluster of stars in the constellation Auriga, 4,500 lightyears from Earth. M37 is part of the Messier Catalogue of deep-sky objects compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier...
flic.kr
January 11, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Messier 37, an open cluster in Auriga, about 4,500 light years from Earth, containing about 500 stars. Taken last weekend from light polluted Gloucester.
#astronomy #astrophotography #messier
flic.kr/p/2rRmQv7
#astronomy #astrophotography #messier
flic.kr/p/2rRmQv7
I've only skimmed this and sent it to my Kindle to read later but it's always entertaining to read a review of the predictions of psychics. It gives one a lovely (probably unfounded) sense of superiority.
How did psychics fare with their predictions for 2025? My latest, for The Skeptic
Every new year, the media features predictions for psychics for the year ahead - and every year, those predictions underwhelm of fail.
www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/01/how-...
Every new year, the media features predictions for psychics for the year ahead - and every year, those predictions underwhelm of fail.
www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/01/how-...
January 5, 2026 at 10:22 AM
I've only skimmed this and sent it to my Kindle to read later but it's always entertaining to read a review of the predictions of psychics. It gives one a lovely (probably unfounded) sense of superiority.
Messier 36 (M36), also known as the Pinwheel Cluster, is an open cluster located in the northern constellation Auriga, the Charioteer. It's similar to the Pleiades but further away at around 4,100 light years from Earth.
flic.kr/p/2rM1sgd
flic.kr/p/2rM1sgd
M36
Messier 36 (M36), also known as the Pinwheel Cluster, is an open cluster located in the northern constellation Auriga, the Charioteer. It's similar to the Pleiades but further away at around 4,100 lig...
flic.kr
December 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Messier 36 (M36), also known as the Pinwheel Cluster, is an open cluster located in the northern constellation Auriga, the Charioteer. It's similar to the Pleiades but further away at around 4,100 light years from Earth.
flic.kr/p/2rM1sgd
flic.kr/p/2rM1sgd
Finally completed Day 5 of #aoc #AdventOfCode.
Was briefly scuppered by an of-by-one error. Those elves and their damn inventories!
adventofcode.com
Was briefly scuppered by an of-by-one error. Those elves and their damn inventories!
adventofcode.com
Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Finally completed Day 5 of #aoc #AdventOfCode.
Was briefly scuppered by an of-by-one error. Those elves and their damn inventories!
adventofcode.com
Was briefly scuppered by an of-by-one error. Those elves and their damn inventories!
adventofcode.com
I haven't seen the letter they did send back (is it publicly available?) but since they apologised but did not agree any payment, it seems like it could have been similar to this.
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump - brilliant stuff from @davidallengreen.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/emptycit...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I haven't seen the letter they did send back (is it publicly available?) but since they apologised but did not agree any payment, it seems like it could have been similar to this.
It's not £58 any more but then this was quite a while ago so it's probably about the same proportionally.
And there's also now BBC3, BBC4, BBC Parliament, iPlayer and the website (and even back then they forgot to mention local radio)
And there's also now BBC3, BBC4, BBC Parliament, iPlayer and the website (and even back then they forgot to mention local radio)
November 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
It's not £58 any more but then this was quite a while ago so it's probably about the same proportionally.
And there's also now BBC3, BBC4, BBC Parliament, iPlayer and the website (and even back then they forgot to mention local radio)
And there's also now BBC3, BBC4, BBC Parliament, iPlayer and the website (and even back then they forgot to mention local radio)
Reposted by Ali
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
I think I agree with most of this, except for your description of our central claim:
It's not that gender is imaginary,
It's that sex is binary, immutable, and important when defining separate spaces.
It's not that gender is imaginary,
It's that sex is binary, immutable, and important when defining separate spaces.
“Gender-critical” feminists have some valid concerns, but their most central claim is wrong. | @ionaitalia.bsky.social
In Defence of Gender — Queer Majority
“Gender-critical” feminists have some valid concerns, but their most central claim is wrong.
www.queermajority.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I think I agree with most of this, except for your description of our central claim:
It's not that gender is imaginary,
It's that sex is binary, immutable, and important when defining separate spaces.
It's not that gender is imaginary,
It's that sex is binary, immutable, and important when defining separate spaces.
Reposted by Ali
Why does everyone keep calling it “The Epstein Ballroom?” Please stop repeating “The Epstein Ballroom” because it is not called “The Epstein Ballroom!” Don’t tell the news that it’s called “The Epstein Ballroom” and please don’t repost this!!!!!
October 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Why does everyone keep calling it “The Epstein Ballroom?” Please stop repeating “The Epstein Ballroom” because it is not called “The Epstein Ballroom!” Don’t tell the news that it’s called “The Epstein Ballroom” and please don’t repost this!!!!!
Apologies for all the clouds in the south-west of the UK over the last few days, I've just bought a new telescope.
October 14, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Apologies for all the clouds in the south-west of the UK over the last few days, I've just bought a new telescope.
Just saw this on Facebook. Strikes me as classic heart-warming tale of an event that never actually happened, told to drive home some moral position ("... and everyone in the carriage stood up and clapped").
October 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Just saw this on Facebook. Strikes me as classic heart-warming tale of an event that never actually happened, told to drive home some moral position ("... and everyone in the carriage stood up and clapped").
Interesting read. And this section in particular: jamesbreckwoldt.substack.com/i/171896783/...
I think is possibly especially salient to some of my arguments on this site.
I think is possibly especially salient to some of my arguments on this site.
Why does increased liberalism in society NOT lead to election wins for socially liberal parties?
Big question, complicated answer.
I’ve assembled crack team of experts whose quotes and catchphrases show why:
- Marty McFly
- Roddy Piper
- Grandpa Simpson
- The Rock
- Breaking Bad's Mike
Big question, complicated answer.
I’ve assembled crack team of experts whose quotes and catchphrases show why:
- Marty McFly
- Roddy Piper
- Grandpa Simpson
- The Rock
- Breaking Bad's Mike
Why Increased Liberalism In Society Does Not Mean Culturally Liberal Parties Win Elections
Marty McFly, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Grandpa Abe Simpson, The Rock and Mike from Breaking Bad explain it all...
jamesbreckwoldt.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Interesting read. And this section in particular: jamesbreckwoldt.substack.com/i/171896783/...
I think is possibly especially salient to some of my arguments on this site.
I think is possibly especially salient to some of my arguments on this site.
M16: The Eagle Nebula (including the famous 'Pillars of Creation')
#Astrophotography #Nebula #Messier16
flic.kr/p/2rnbwcd
#Astrophotography #Nebula #Messier16
flic.kr/p/2rnbwcd
M16
flic.kr
August 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM
M16: The Eagle Nebula (including the famous 'Pillars of Creation')
#Astrophotography #Nebula #Messier16
flic.kr/p/2rnbwcd
#Astrophotography #Nebula #Messier16
flic.kr/p/2rnbwcd
NGC6888: the Crescent Nebula
The shed and slowly expanding outer layers of a Wolf Rayet star, now being energized by the fast stellar wind from the same star.
#Astrophotography #Nebula
flic.kr/p/2rp1MjB
The shed and slowly expanding outer layers of a Wolf Rayet star, now being energized by the fast stellar wind from the same star.
#Astrophotography #Nebula
flic.kr/p/2rp1MjB
NGC6888 Crescent Nebula
Roughly 2 hours of integration 3-minute subs Camera: QHY163C Scope: Skywatcher 200P Mount: EQ6 Control software: APT Processing: PixInsight
flic.kr
August 22, 2025 at 10:06 PM
NGC6888: the Crescent Nebula
The shed and slowly expanding outer layers of a Wolf Rayet star, now being energized by the fast stellar wind from the same star.
#Astrophotography #Nebula
flic.kr/p/2rp1MjB
The shed and slowly expanding outer layers of a Wolf Rayet star, now being energized by the fast stellar wind from the same star.
#Astrophotography #Nebula
flic.kr/p/2rp1MjB
Reposted by Ali
Here’s a poem called ‘Roger’s Thesaurus’.
August 19, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Here’s a poem called ‘Roger’s Thesaurus’.
Sometime in the past, I must have blocked 3 accounts. I no longer block anybody (if I'm not interested in a conversation, I mute it) but Clearsky says I'm blocking 3 accounts but only gives their did's.
How can I unblock those accounts or remove them from Clearsky?
How can I unblock those accounts or remove them from Clearsky?
August 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Sometime in the past, I must have blocked 3 accounts. I no longer block anybody (if I'm not interested in a conversation, I mute it) but Clearsky says I'm blocking 3 accounts but only gives their did's.
How can I unblock those accounts or remove them from Clearsky?
How can I unblock those accounts or remove them from Clearsky?
M57, the Ring Nebula.
About 100 120s lights, with darks & flats
Scope - Skywatcher 200P
Camera -QHY163C
Mount - EQ6
Stacked & processed in PixInsight
flic.kr/p/2rj6TCw
About 100 120s lights, with darks & flats
Scope - Skywatcher 200P
Camera -QHY163C
Mount - EQ6
Stacked & processed in PixInsight
flic.kr/p/2rj6TCw
M57
flic.kr
July 27, 2025 at 4:24 PM
M57, the Ring Nebula.
About 100 120s lights, with darks & flats
Scope - Skywatcher 200P
Camera -QHY163C
Mount - EQ6
Stacked & processed in PixInsight
flic.kr/p/2rj6TCw
About 100 120s lights, with darks & flats
Scope - Skywatcher 200P
Camera -QHY163C
Mount - EQ6
Stacked & processed in PixInsight
flic.kr/p/2rj6TCw
Messier 27, the Dumbell Nebula
Turns out I've imaged this 7 times now but each one is better than the previous so that's gratifying.
It's the puffed off outer layers of an old star, the remains of which are now a white dwarf at the centre of the bubble of expanding gas.
flic.kr/p/2rgoQ3h
Turns out I've imaged this 7 times now but each one is better than the previous so that's gratifying.
It's the puffed off outer layers of an old star, the remains of which are now a white dwarf at the centre of the bubble of expanding gas.
flic.kr/p/2rgoQ3h
M27
My M27 is getting better Taken with QHY153C through a Skywatcher 200P on an EQ6. About 70 2-minute subs at 200 gain Stacked & Processed in PixInsight
flic.kr
July 14, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Messier 27, the Dumbell Nebula
Turns out I've imaged this 7 times now but each one is better than the previous so that's gratifying.
It's the puffed off outer layers of an old star, the remains of which are now a white dwarf at the centre of the bubble of expanding gas.
flic.kr/p/2rgoQ3h
Turns out I've imaged this 7 times now but each one is better than the previous so that's gratifying.
It's the puffed off outer layers of an old star, the remains of which are now a white dwarf at the centre of the bubble of expanding gas.
flic.kr/p/2rgoQ3h
Reposted by Ali
If you put googly eyes on the Pillars of Creation you get muppets 😄😄
July 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
If you put googly eyes on the Pillars of Creation you get muppets 😄😄
This saddens me. I'm all for the block button in response to threats or abuse but this was neither. It was reasoned expression of a belief protected by law and of a legal definition clarified by the supreme court.
This use of the block (& report) just reinforces both our personal bubbles.
This use of the block (& report) just reinforces both our personal bubbles.
June 24, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This saddens me. I'm all for the block button in response to threats or abuse but this was neither. It was reasoned expression of a belief protected by law and of a legal definition clarified by the supreme court.
This use of the block (& report) just reinforces both our personal bubbles.
This use of the block (& report) just reinforces both our personal bubbles.
Reposted by Ali
Happy 14th June to all those (except one) who celebrate.
June 14, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Happy 14th June to all those (except one) who celebrate.
Reposted by Ali
Fantastic rebuke of trans activism from a left wing perspective
Well they are mostly homophobic groups and see transness as associated with gayness and don't like it for that reason. Totallh different to lw critiques.
Trans activism is very right wing because (so glad you asked)
1) it elevates individual rights above collective rights and social justice
Trans activism is very right wing because (so glad you asked)
1) it elevates individual rights above collective rights and social justice
June 13, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Fantastic rebuke of trans activism from a left wing perspective
You've been kidnapped. A character of the last TV show you saw are going to rescue you. Who is coming to save you?
June 12, 2025 at 7:31 AM
You've been kidnapped. A character of the last TV show you saw are going to rescue you. Who is coming to save you?
Interesting article on how the left (in America) has got trapped in its stance on trans-rights such that it's unable to effectively call out Trumps over-reach in the opposite direction.
June 10, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Interesting article on how the left (in America) has got trapped in its stance on trans-rights such that it's unable to effectively call out Trumps over-reach in the opposite direction.