Michael Battalio
@battalio.com
Research Scientist at Yale studying planetary climates
Pinned
Michael Battalio
@battalio.com
· Nov 11
Intro thread: I’m a #climate and #planetary scientist. I try to find atmospheric processes common across planets. I interpret each planet as an instance on a continuum of possible climates. Without exception, I’ve found that cool stuff that happens on one has parallels to help interpret the others.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
This is literally where I am.
I can understand the ACA decision, but the core goal of this shutdown was to try and assert some manner of "the executive branch will follow the goddamn law"
We didn't get that, at all.
I can understand the ACA decision, but the core goal of this shutdown was to try and assert some manner of "the executive branch will follow the goddamn law"
We didn't get that, at all.
Still upset about no power of the purse language. You truly do hate to see it. The Trump admin undertook the most expansive set of illegal budgetary actions of any president in history, and broadcast as loudly as possible they’d keep doing it, and nothing. Budgetary lawlessness.
November 10, 2025 at 2:01 AM
This is literally where I am.
I can understand the ACA decision, but the core goal of this shutdown was to try and assert some manner of "the executive branch will follow the goddamn law"
We didn't get that, at all.
I can understand the ACA decision, but the core goal of this shutdown was to try and assert some manner of "the executive branch will follow the goddamn law"
We didn't get that, at all.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
The most demoralizing thing is knowing that we want to save democracy--are in fact working much, much harder at it--than Senate Democrats are or ever will. Genuinely the most fucking hopeless group of people on the planet.
November 10, 2025 at 2:18 AM
The most demoralizing thing is knowing that we want to save democracy--are in fact working much, much harder at it--than Senate Democrats are or ever will. Genuinely the most fucking hopeless group of people on the planet.
So you are now going to call for Schumer to step aside as minority leader, yes? Yes? You damned coward. Your election isn't for 5 years, but I will donate to whomever primaries you if you don't call for him to step aside. If he can't keep the party together, he's useless and so is your no vote.
Bullies gain power when their misconduct succeeds in causing righteous people to yield in the face of wrongdoing. That’s why voting for Trump's continuing resolution - without any protection against his health care cuts or his growing illegality - is a mistake.
I voted NO.
I voted NO.
November 10, 2025 at 2:27 AM
So you are now going to call for Schumer to step aside as minority leader, yes? Yes? You damned coward. Your election isn't for 5 years, but I will donate to whomever primaries you if you don't call for him to step aside. If he can't keep the party together, he's useless and so is your no vote.
The political ambition of 2028'ers is going to tap into the rage we feel at these Democratic Sens. caving for nothing and start actively campaigning against them too, party loyalty be damned. Hell, I’ll donate to the first federal office holder who calls Kaine a bitch à la @marisakabas.bsky.social.
EIGHT Senate Democrats have voted to advance the funding measure so far after the deal was reached:
Cortez Masto
Durbin
Fetterman
Hassan
Kaine
King
Rosen
Shaheen
If the existing 52 Republicans hold, that's 60 — enough to advance this agreement. Final vote still to come.
Cortez Masto
Durbin
Fetterman
Hassan
Kaine
King
Rosen
Shaheen
If the existing 52 Republicans hold, that's 60 — enough to advance this agreement. Final vote still to come.
November 10, 2025 at 2:02 AM
The political ambition of 2028'ers is going to tap into the rage we feel at these Democratic Sens. caving for nothing and start actively campaigning against them too, party loyalty be damned. Hell, I’ll donate to the first federal office holder who calls Kaine a bitch à la @marisakabas.bsky.social.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Are you excited for the #nasa #escapade launch happening TODAY? Using the Blue Origin New Glenn #rocket, the ESCAPADE #mission will send #twin #satellites to #mars to study its #atmosphere and other things.
We'll have the #livestream of the #launch on our #website!
www.space.com/space-explor...
We'll have the #livestream of the #launch on our #website!
www.space.com/space-explor...
Watch Blue Origin's huge New Glenn rocket launch a NASA 'ESCAPADE' to Mars today
Liftoff of the ESCAPADE mission is scheduled for Sunday (Nov. 9) at 2:45 p.m. ET.
www.space.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Are you excited for the #nasa #escapade launch happening TODAY? Using the Blue Origin New Glenn #rocket, the ESCAPADE #mission will send #twin #satellites to #mars to study its #atmosphere and other things.
We'll have the #livestream of the #launch on our #website!
www.space.com/space-explor...
We'll have the #livestream of the #launch on our #website!
www.space.com/space-explor...
Reposted by Michael Battalio
As an educator at Cornell, I feel like it's my duty to just say "bribes are bad, don't pay bribes".
Breaking News: Cornell University reached an agreement with the Trump administration that would restore hundreds of millions in funding to the university. It's expected to pay a $30 million fine to the government and to invest $30 million in agriculture and farming programs.
Cornell Reaches Deal with Trump Administration to Restore Research Funds
The Ivy League university had warned of layoffs after the Trump administration stripped it of funds this year. The cuts were among the deepest in higher education.
nyti.ms
November 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
As an educator at Cornell, I feel like it's my duty to just say "bribes are bad, don't pay bribes".
Students, the excellent Prof. Fletcher has a project on the atmosphere of the ice giants with JWST. Sounds really cool.
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 4:00 PM
Students, the excellent Prof. Fletcher has a project on the atmosphere of the ice giants with JWST. Sounds really cool.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
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 Michael Battalio
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that our opponents (Trump and the GOP) talk about climate change all 👏 the 👏 time👏—always using relentless disinformation to make Democrats look bad. You HAVE to have a plan for that or else you're going to lose.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/enviro...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/enviro...
Democrats are letting Trump’s climate lies take hold
When extreme storms hit the United States, the Maga disinformation machine went into overdrive. Kamala Harris failed to counter it
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that our opponents (Trump and the GOP) talk about climate change all 👏 the 👏 time👏—always using relentless disinformation to make Democrats look bad. You HAVE to have a plan for that or else you're going to lose.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/enviro...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/enviro...
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Déjà vu: Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman to run NASA….again. 🧪🔭
For a space drama, this saga is pretty wild. Here’s what’s happened:
🧵👇
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/s...
For a space drama, this saga is pretty wild. Here’s what’s happened:
🧵👇
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/s...
Trump Again Names Jared Isaacman to Lead NASA After Pulling His Nomination
The nomination of the billionaire entrepreneur, private astronaut and Elon Musk ally was before the floor of the Senate when the president abruptly withdrew it in June.
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Déjà vu: Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman to run NASA….again. 🧪🔭
For a space drama, this saga is pretty wild. Here’s what’s happened:
🧵👇
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/s...
For a space drama, this saga is pretty wild. Here’s what’s happened:
🧵👇
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/s...
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Reposted by Michael Battalio
sdklfj Gorsuch asked a question like, so if the pres unliterally declared a 50% tariff on all gas-powered vehicles to respond to the unusual & extraordinary threat of global warming?
DOJ says well we'd say that's a hoax & not a threat
Gorsuch dripping w condescension goes I'm sure you would lmao
DOJ says well we'd say that's a hoax & not a threat
Gorsuch dripping w condescension goes I'm sure you would lmao
November 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
sdklfj Gorsuch asked a question like, so if the pres unliterally declared a 50% tariff on all gas-powered vehicles to respond to the unusual & extraordinary threat of global warming?
DOJ says well we'd say that's a hoax & not a threat
Gorsuch dripping w condescension goes I'm sure you would lmao
DOJ says well we'd say that's a hoax & not a threat
Gorsuch dripping w condescension goes I'm sure you would lmao
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Populist Dems won. Moderate Dems won. We won in blue states. We won in purple states.
Maybe the take is that (a) people think Trump is out of control; and (b) people like Dems when we're taking a stand and fighting for what we believe in - as we have been for the last month.
Maybe the take is that (a) people think Trump is out of control; and (b) people like Dems when we're taking a stand and fighting for what we believe in - as we have been for the last month.
November 5, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Populist Dems won. Moderate Dems won. We won in blue states. We won in purple states.
Maybe the take is that (a) people think Trump is out of control; and (b) people like Dems when we're taking a stand and fighting for what we believe in - as we have been for the last month.
Maybe the take is that (a) people think Trump is out of control; and (b) people like Dems when we're taking a stand and fighting for what we believe in - as we have been for the last month.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
An important new story on the quiet gutting of one of NASA's most important laboratory campuses, during the federal shutdown. Via @ellanilsen.bsky.social & @jackiewattles.bsky.social www.cnn.com/2025/11/04/s...
Workers fear NASA is quietly gutting the iconic home of Hubble and Webb. The agency says it’s strategically closing buildings | CNN
Buildings at Goddard’s Maryland campus are being emptied and padlocked, sources say. NASA leadership has pushed back against the concerns.
www.cnn.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:14 PM
An important new story on the quiet gutting of one of NASA's most important laboratory campuses, during the federal shutdown. Via @ellanilsen.bsky.social & @jackiewattles.bsky.social www.cnn.com/2025/11/04/s...
"The document also recommends taking 'NASA out of the taxpayer funded climate science business and [leaving] it for academia to determine.'"
And since Vought, Trump, and OMB are gutting science research and academia, this would mean there will be no climate science done at scale anymore.
And since Vought, Trump, and OMB are gutting science research and academia, this would mean there will be no climate science done at scale anymore.
A confidential manifesto lays out a billionaire's sweeping new vision for NASA
The former, and possibly future, nominee for the space agency said he did not intend for the document’s public release.
www.politico.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:36 PM
"The document also recommends taking 'NASA out of the taxpayer funded climate science business and [leaving] it for academia to determine.'"
And since Vought, Trump, and OMB are gutting science research and academia, this would mean there will be no climate science done at scale anymore.
And since Vought, Trump, and OMB are gutting science research and academia, this would mean there will be no climate science done at scale anymore.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
"This approach is fully consistent with what I discussed at my Senate hearing..." Which in my opinion was a trainwreck. I got the impression he thought the NASA Administrator set the agency's science agenda. No. The National Academies makes the recommendations. NASA makes an attempt to follow them.
I remember all of the hype around Isaacman being the one who would "save NASA" at the time.
Turns out his plan was the plan put forward by the Trump admin OMB
You know, the one that was designed around absolutely gutting NASA science and exploration programs?
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Turns out his plan was the plan put forward by the Trump admin OMB
You know, the one that was designed around absolutely gutting NASA science and exploration programs?
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
A confidential manifesto lays out a billionaire's sweeping new vision for NASA
The former, and possibly future, nominee for the space agency said he did not intend for the document’s public release.
www.politico.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:25 PM
"This approach is fully consistent with what I discussed at my Senate hearing..." Which in my opinion was a trainwreck. I got the impression he thought the NASA Administrator set the agency's science agenda. No. The National Academies makes the recommendations. NASA makes an attempt to follow them.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Maine and Connecticut both want to achieve 100% clean power by 2040 — so they’re exploring a collaboration to get the job done faster.
Connecticut and Maine team up to fast-track renewables
The two states will jointly consider clean-energy projects, a model that could help more installations qualify for federal incentives before they expire.
www.canarymedia.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Maine and Connecticut both want to achieve 100% clean power by 2040 — so they’re exploring a collaboration to get the job done faster.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
I'm very excited to announce `usaspending-orm` a new Python library to ease access to data from the USASpending API.
Available now on PyPI and GitHub. Repo link in thread.
Available now on PyPI and GitHub. Repo link in thread.
November 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I'm very excited to announce `usaspending-orm` a new Python library to ease access to data from the USASpending API.
Available now on PyPI and GitHub. Repo link in thread.
Available now on PyPI and GitHub. Repo link in thread.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
November 3, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Let me say this in plain English: a comet can just be a comet
November 1, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Let me say this in plain English: a comet can just be a comet
Finally read the @space.com article about NASA Goddard. It's a well-sourced and thorough accounting of what I've anecdotally heard from people at GSFC. Basically, the reason GSFC is targeted is they're in a blue district and do nerd science stuff rather than astronaut stuff.
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
October 31, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Finally read the @space.com article about NASA Goddard. It's a well-sourced and thorough accounting of what I've anecdotally heard from people at GSFC. Basically, the reason GSFC is targeted is they're in a blue district and do nerd science stuff rather than astronaut stuff.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Daniel is the actual expert on this stuff, so I'm linking this into the main thread - I'm still grappling with this comparison a bit, but I think the essential take-home (focus on the magnitudes over the messy probabilistic rapid attribution stats) is right
bsky.app/profile/weat...
bsky.app/profile/weat...
I actually think the PacNW heatwave is *not* a bad analogy here in the context of Jamaica specifically (so more narrowly defined spatially). Both events were quite rare to begin with at the relevant scale, and both have strong/obvious links to climate change.
October 31, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Daniel is the actual expert on this stuff, so I'm linking this into the main thread - I'm still grappling with this comparison a bit, but I think the essential take-home (focus on the magnitudes over the messy probabilistic rapid attribution stats) is right
bsky.app/profile/weat...
bsky.app/profile/weat...
I strongly endorse this thread on anthropogenic attribution of climate change towards Melissa, especially further down as @weatherwest.bsky.social joins. I completely agree that we have to be careful from robust science standpoint AND more so from a comms standpoint in attribution studies.
So, I hate to be this guy, but as the director of Yale’s new program on attribution science (!?), uh, most of the commentary on Bluesky about Hurricane Melissa and climate change has been… not quite right
October 31, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I strongly endorse this thread on anthropogenic attribution of climate change towards Melissa, especially further down as @weatherwest.bsky.social joins. I completely agree that we have to be careful from robust science standpoint AND more so from a comms standpoint in attribution studies.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Have spent a substantial portion of the day turning down requests to comment to the media on Loeb's claims that 3I/ATLAS might be artificial. What was a really interesting science story has been ruined by one man ignorantly shouting. So frustrating.
October 31, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Have spent a substantial portion of the day turning down requests to comment to the media on Loeb's claims that 3I/ATLAS might be artificial. What was a really interesting science story has been ruined by one man ignorantly shouting. So frustrating.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
A personal reflection on the destructive erosion of ethics, norms and respect for law at NASA:
🧪🔭
🧵
🧪🔭
🧵
October 31, 2025 at 2:16 PM
A personal reflection on the destructive erosion of ethics, norms and respect for law at NASA:
🧪🔭
🧵
🧪🔭
🧵