August (Gus) Muench
@augustfly.bsky.social
data editor in New Haven; tree/bird/sky watcher; former Bostonian/Floridian/IR Astronomer
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
yeah, the wave.webaim.org checker is really good with spotting these, and its interface is very nice.
WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools
wave.webaim.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:59 PM
yeah, the wave.webaim.org checker is really good with spotting these, and its interface is very nice.
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
we have over 50 questions so far so let’s bother them more!!
join us live now:
join us live now:
LIVE NOW: 404 Media is taking your questions on the state of surveillance in the US: from Flock cameras to tools Palantir made for ICE to find neighborhoods to raid.
Join us now (we have lots of great questions already and we'll try to get to as many as possible!)
www.reddit.com/r/technology...
Join us now (we have lots of great questions already and we'll try to get to as many as possible!)
www.reddit.com/r/technology...
From the technology community on Reddit: Hi! We're 404 Media's Jason Koebler and Joseph Cox. AMA (us) about the tech ICE is using, Flock and the state of surveillance in the US on Feb. 4, 12 pm ET
Explore this post and more from the technology community
www.reddit.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:04 PM
we have over 50 questions so far so let’s bother them more!!
join us live now:
join us live now:
These are instances where authors state their genAI/LLM usage (as is policy). In other cases, which are likely many/most, the reader has no idea. I personally don't see how knocking someone for stated usage is productive to a conversation that (a) must happen; (b) will have many many facets.
(((ack:"ChatGPT" or ack:"OpenAI" or "Anthropic")) AND year:2023-)
(astronomy db only)
scixplorer.org/search?d=ast...
(astronomy db only)
scixplorer.org/search?d=ast...
February 2, 2026 at 4:24 PM
These are instances where authors state their genAI/LLM usage (as is policy). In other cases, which are likely many/most, the reader has no idea. I personally don't see how knocking someone for stated usage is productive to a conversation that (a) must happen; (b) will have many many facets.
(((ack:"ChatGPT" or ack:"OpenAI" or "Anthropic")) AND year:2023-)
(astronomy db only)
scixplorer.org/search?d=ast...
(astronomy db only)
scixplorer.org/search?d=ast...
February 2, 2026 at 3:37 PM
(((ack:"ChatGPT" or ack:"OpenAI" or "Anthropic")) AND year:2023-)
(astronomy db only)
scixplorer.org/search?d=ast...
(astronomy db only)
scixplorer.org/search?d=ast...
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
One day the industry will recognize the drawbacks of AI agents and nondeterministic automation, and rediscover the UNIX philosophy of chaining together small purpose built tools in a low cost and predictable way, otherwise known as shell scripts.
October 9, 2025 at 11:22 AM
One day the industry will recognize the drawbacks of AI agents and nondeterministic automation, and rediscover the UNIX philosophy of chaining together small purpose built tools in a low cost and predictable way, otherwise known as shell scripts.
I'm sure _JOHN CAGE_ would protest that replacement if he could... Though thanks to this post I now know that Cage was an anarchist...
I suppose they can just put on an extremely extended performance of 4:33 that evening.
Breaking news: Composer Philip Glass withdrew his highly anticipated Symphony No. 15 from its scheduled Kennedy Center performance, saying “the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.”
January 27, 2026 at 5:35 PM
I'm sure _JOHN CAGE_ would protest that replacement if he could... Though thanks to this post I now know that Cage was an anarchist...
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
Including AAS Director of Scholarly Publishing @kerrykroffe.bsky.social , AAS Editorial Operations Manager Alex Andrews, and AAS Journals Data Editors Greg Schwarz and @augustfly.bsky.social! Check out our list of events in this AAS Nova pre- #AAS247 post!
AAS Publishing will be attending the upcoming AAS meeting in Phoenix. Here’s where you can find the publishing team during the conference. aasnova.org/2026/01/02/a... #AAS247 🔭
AAS Publishing at AAS 247 in Phoenix
AAS Publishing will be attending the upcoming AAS meeting in Phoenix. Here's where you can find the publishing team during the conference.
aasnova.org
January 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Including AAS Director of Scholarly Publishing @kerrykroffe.bsky.social , AAS Editorial Operations Manager Alex Andrews, and AAS Journals Data Editors Greg Schwarz and @augustfly.bsky.social! Check out our list of events in this AAS Nova pre- #AAS247 post!
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
AAS Publishing will be attending the upcoming AAS meeting in Phoenix. Here’s where you can find the publishing team during the conference. aasnova.org/2026/01/02/a... #AAS247 🔭
AAS Publishing at AAS 247 in Phoenix
AAS Publishing will be attending the upcoming AAS meeting in Phoenix. Here's where you can find the publishing team during the conference.
aasnova.org
January 2, 2026 at 5:10 PM
AAS Publishing will be attending the upcoming AAS meeting in Phoenix. Here’s where you can find the publishing team during the conference. aasnova.org/2026/01/02/a... #AAS247 🔭
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
#AAS247 #SciX curious?
Ready to commit to the new powerful #ADSabs interface?
Just want the ADS Classic secret sauce?
Join @scixcommunity.bsky.social Sun Jan 4 for a free 1-hour workshop (sessions at 1:15, 2:15, 3:15 PM)
#astrophysics ☀️ #planetaryscience #NASAscience #openscience #earthscience
Ready to commit to the new powerful #ADSabs interface?
Just want the ADS Classic secret sauce?
Join @scixcommunity.bsky.social Sun Jan 4 for a free 1-hour workshop (sessions at 1:15, 2:15, 3:15 PM)
#astrophysics ☀️ #planetaryscience #NASAscience #openscience #earthscience
December 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
#AAS247 #SciX curious?
Ready to commit to the new powerful #ADSabs interface?
Just want the ADS Classic secret sauce?
Join @scixcommunity.bsky.social Sun Jan 4 for a free 1-hour workshop (sessions at 1:15, 2:15, 3:15 PM)
#astrophysics ☀️ #planetaryscience #NASAscience #openscience #earthscience
Ready to commit to the new powerful #ADSabs interface?
Just want the ADS Classic secret sauce?
Join @scixcommunity.bsky.social Sun Jan 4 for a free 1-hour workshop (sessions at 1:15, 2:15, 3:15 PM)
#astrophysics ☀️ #planetaryscience #NASAscience #openscience #earthscience
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
The AAS is deeply concerned by the recent announcement that the NSF intends to “restructure” the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) by narrowing the scope of its scientific investigations and stripping it of key assets used in those investigations. aas.org/posts/news/2... 🔭
AAS Responds to Reported Dismantling of NCAR | American Astronomical Society
The AAS is deeply concerned by the recent announcement that the National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to “restructure” the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) by narrowing the scop...
aas.org
December 19, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The AAS is deeply concerned by the recent announcement that the NSF intends to “restructure” the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) by narrowing the scope of its scientific investigations and stripping it of key assets used in those investigations. aas.org/posts/news/2... 🔭
Version 6 of the Unified Astronomy Thesaurus was released this week. This version primarily creates a new top level "heliophysics" concept and reorganizes subsidiary concepts between this top level and the Solar System top-level. More to come in 2026!
astrothesaurus.org/release-of-u...
astrothesaurus.org/release-of-u...
Release of UAT Version 6.0.0 – Unified Astronomy Thesaurus
astrothesaurus.org
December 18, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Version 6 of the Unified Astronomy Thesaurus was released this week. This version primarily creates a new top level "heliophysics" concept and reorganizes subsidiary concepts between this top level and the Solar System top-level. More to come in 2026!
astrothesaurus.org/release-of-u...
astrothesaurus.org/release-of-u...
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
This sounds very doom-ish but SciX works great for astro, I have made the switch entirely from ADS and haven't lost any function or speed. 🔭 (would be interested in hearing about usage in other fields)
Well this is worrying. NASA has maintained funding for ADS but not SciX (a broader database). In response, management is planning to *close* ADS in Feb 2026, forcing all users to switch to SciX. ☄️🔭
Funding info: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Transition plan: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Funding info: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Transition plan: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
December 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
This sounds very doom-ish but SciX works great for astro, I have made the switch entirely from ADS and haven't lost any function or speed. 🔭 (would be interested in hearing about usage in other fields)
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
Yay Brian!
🔭 Brian Jackson, Professor of Physics at Boise State University and Director of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve STEM Network, will serve as the next Editor of the Planetary Science Journal. aas.org/press/brian-...
December 3, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Yay Brian!
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
🔭 Brian Jackson, Professor of Physics at Boise State University and Director of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve STEM Network, will serve as the next Editor of the Planetary Science Journal. aas.org/press/brian-...
December 3, 2025 at 4:11 PM
🔭 Brian Jackson, Professor of Physics at Boise State University and Director of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve STEM Network, will serve as the next Editor of the Planetary Science Journal. aas.org/press/brian-...
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
Aladin Lite is the recipient of the 2025 Open Science Award for Free Research Software, in the "Community" category !
A well deserved recognition, beyond the astronomical community, of all the work done in the Aladin team.
cds.unistra.fr/news/2025/12...
A well deserved recognition, beyond the astronomical community, of all the work done in the Aladin team.
cds.unistra.fr/news/2025/12...
December 2, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Aladin Lite is the recipient of the 2025 Open Science Award for Free Research Software, in the "Community" category !
A well deserved recognition, beyond the astronomical community, of all the work done in the Aladin team.
cds.unistra.fr/news/2025/12...
A well deserved recognition, beyond the astronomical community, of all the work done in the Aladin team.
cds.unistra.fr/news/2025/12...
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
Heading to the @agu.org annual meeting, interested in using sound to help interpret your complex data, AND make your research more inclusive? Data sonification can help! But don't take my word for it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_eU...
Attend the Geo SonNet Town Hall on Dec. 15th to network!
Attend the Geo SonNet Town Hall on Dec. 15th to network!
November 25, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Heading to the @agu.org annual meeting, interested in using sound to help interpret your complex data, AND make your research more inclusive? Data sonification can help! But don't take my word for it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_eU...
Attend the Geo SonNet Town Hall on Dec. 15th to network!
Attend the Geo SonNet Town Hall on Dec. 15th to network!
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
This slide by @mubdi.bsky.social at #adass2025 should be on ever astronomer's wall. Software is a central part of science and should be published accordingly!
November 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
This slide by @mubdi.bsky.social at #adass2025 should be on ever astronomer's wall. Software is a central part of science and should be published accordingly!
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
Heads up: the deadline for regular registration for #AAS247 is Friday, November 7. (Late registration is still an option after Friday, but more expensive).
While you and your colleagues/students register, remember to register for the @astropy.org workshop! 🔭 #astrocode
While you and your colleagues/students register, remember to register for the @astropy.org workshop! 🔭 #astrocode
Register yourself or a student for the 'Python and Astropy for Astronomical Data Analysis' workshop at @aas.org on January 4, 2026. 🔭 #aas247 #astrocode
You'll get a broad overview of the astropy functionality that powers astronomy, taught by the @astropy.org team.
github.com/astropy/astr...
You'll get a broad overview of the astropy functionality that powers astronomy, taught by the @astropy.org team.
github.com/astropy/astr...
November 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Heads up: the deadline for regular registration for #AAS247 is Friday, November 7. (Late registration is still an option after Friday, but more expensive).
While you and your colleagues/students register, remember to register for the @astropy.org workshop! 🔭 #astrocode
While you and your colleagues/students register, remember to register for the @astropy.org workshop! 🔭 #astrocode
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
We've found DHS is giving local cops a new facial recognition app to find immigrants. Point camera at face, tells the cop to detain person or not. The app is available on Google's Play Store. Google took down apps that report ICE sightings but now hosts this app
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
DHS Gives Local Cops a Facial Recognition App To Find Immigrants
The app, called Mobile Identify and available on the Google Play Store, is specifically for local and regional law enforcement agencies working with ICE on immigration enforcement.
www.404media.co
November 5, 2025 at 2:07 PM
We've found DHS is giving local cops a new facial recognition app to find immigrants. Point camera at face, tells the cop to detain person or not. The app is available on Google's Play Store. Google took down apps that report ICE sightings but now hosts this app
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
www.404media.co/cbp-quietly-...
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
The American Astronomical Society announced that Dr. Kevin B. Marvel, the Society’s Chief Executive Officer, will step down from his position effective 9 January 2026. aas.org/press/aas-an... 🔭
November 5, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The American Astronomical Society announced that Dr. Kevin B. Marvel, the Society’s Chief Executive Officer, will step down from his position effective 9 January 2026. aas.org/press/aas-an... 🔭
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
arXiv, a preprint publication for academic research that has become particularly important for AI research, has announced it will no longer accept computer science articles and papers that haven’t been vetted by an academic journal or a conference. Why?
A tide of AI slop.
A tide of AI slop.
arXiv Changes Rules After Getting Spammed With AI-Generated 'Research' Papers
Cornell University’s academic paper repository will no longer accept Computer Science papers still under review.
www.404media.co
November 3, 2025 at 4:49 PM
arXiv, a preprint publication for academic research that has become particularly important for AI research, has announced it will no longer accept computer science articles and papers that haven’t been vetted by an academic journal or a conference. Why?
A tide of AI slop.
A tide of AI slop.
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
SNAP isn't about "people who don't work." It's about people who don't get paid enough to live.
Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:
* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled
* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages
Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:
* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled
* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages
October 27, 2025 at 12:48 AM
SNAP isn't about "people who don't work." It's about people who don't get paid enough to live.
Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:
* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled
* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages
Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:
* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled
* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
AAS Nova turned 10 this year! For our 2,000th post, we’re looking back on the past decade of astronomy research. aasnova.org/2025/10/03/a... @aas.org 🔭🧪
AAS Nova Celebrates 10 Years of Astronomy Research News
AAS Nova turned 10 this year! For our 2,000th post, we're looking back on the past decade of astronomy research.
aasnova.org
October 3, 2025 at 4:11 PM
AAS Nova turned 10 this year! For our 2,000th post, we’re looking back on the past decade of astronomy research. aasnova.org/2025/10/03/a... @aas.org 🔭🧪
Reposted by August (Gus) Muench
Earth scientists can finally use a NASA ADS-like search system - yay!! If you're not familiar with either of these sites check out SciX - it will make you so much happier when you next have to do literature review 📚😃
What is #SciX? Think of it as your one-stop platform for exploring #research across #EarthScience, #EnvironmentalScience, and #SpaceScience, including #PlanetaryScience, #Heliophysics, #Geology, #Geophysics, #AtmosphericScience, and #Oceanography. Watch our new video! bit.ly/WelcomeToSciX
Welcome to SciX - Powering Discovery Across Earth and Space Sciences
YouTube video by Science Explorer (SciX)
youtu.be
October 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Earth scientists can finally use a NASA ADS-like search system - yay!! If you're not familiar with either of these sites check out SciX - it will make you so much happier when you next have to do literature review 📚😃
Jonathan was the architect of WorldWide Telescope project, which I was gifted to work on with him back 15 years ago. I'll also miss knowing he might sneak up on us at some meeting somewhere (he liked to appear unexpectedly). And he was one of those people with near boundless curiosity! Rest well. ♥️
Damn it, Jonathan Fay, I am gonna miss knowing you are in the world.
October 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Jonathan was the architect of WorldWide Telescope project, which I was gifted to work on with him back 15 years ago. I'll also miss knowing he might sneak up on us at some meeting somewhere (he liked to appear unexpectedly). And he was one of those people with near boundless curiosity! Rest well. ♥️