Keith Smith
@drkeithsmith.bsky.social
PhD, occasional astronomer, talking head, science geek, cynic. Senior Editor at @Science.org, responsible for research papers in astronomy and planetary science. Views own, duh. Bio: https://www.science.org/content/author/keith-t-smith
Reposted by Keith Smith
Sun’s gravitational lens could reveal alien planets’ surfaces | Science | AAAS @science.org 🔭🧪 www.science.org/content/arti...
Sun’s gravitational lens could reveal alien planets’ surfaces
Bold concept calls for sending telescopes 10 times farther than Pluto
www.science.org
December 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Sun’s gravitational lens could reveal alien planets’ surfaces | Science | AAAS @science.org 🔭🧪 www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Keith Smith
“Is Europa truly dead?” a planetary scientist asked himself after some disheartening results for the moon. “Or should we broaden our perspective on other mechanisms that can sustain life?” (Spoiler: he chose the latter)🌱🦠
Read my last #AGU2025 story (for now!) at @science.org: tinyurl.com/4dd67hhw
Read my last #AGU2025 story (for now!) at @science.org: tinyurl.com/4dd67hhw
Life in Europa’s ocean could feed on rocks’ radioactive decay
After series of bleak findings, theory sparks hope for alternative energy source within Jupiter’s intriguing moon
tinyurl.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:37 AM
“Is Europa truly dead?” a planetary scientist asked himself after some disheartening results for the moon. “Or should we broaden our perspective on other mechanisms that can sustain life?” (Spoiler: he chose the latter)🌱🦠
Read my last #AGU2025 story (for now!) at @science.org: tinyurl.com/4dd67hhw
Read my last #AGU2025 story (for now!) at @science.org: tinyurl.com/4dd67hhw
Reposted by Keith Smith
Breaking news: U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R–KY) has asked Science to divulge a range of confidential information about its scholarly articles and external private communications on that family of viruses.
U.S. senator asks Science to provide its coronavirus manuscripts, emails
Rand Paul has blasted government science officials and scientists over COVID-19’s origin
www.science.org
December 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Breaking news: U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R–KY) has asked Science to divulge a range of confidential information about its scholarly articles and external private communications on that family of viruses.
The nearby star Fomalhaut is orbited by a dust belt. Kalas et al. use coronagraphic imaging to identify a transient source at the edge of the belt. They interpret it as a dust cloud, generated by a collision between two planetesimals. ☄️
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
December 19, 2025 at 6:23 PM
The nearby star Fomalhaut is orbited by a dust belt. Kalas et al. use coronagraphic imaging to identify a transient source at the edge of the belt. They interpret it as a dust cloud, generated by a collision between two planetesimals. ☄️
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
100 years ago, Edwin Hubble published the first* measured distance to a 'spiral nebula' (NGC 6822) using Cepheid variables. It was well outside the Milky Way, therefore a separate galaxy. Wendy Freeman discusses this discovery and its implications for cosmology. 🔭🧪⚛️
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A century of modern cosmology
Edwin Hubble’s measurement of a galaxy beyond the Milky Way led to the discovery of cosmic expansion
www.science.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:05 PM
100 years ago, Edwin Hubble published the first* measured distance to a 'spiral nebula' (NGC 6822) using Cepheid variables. It was well outside the Milky Way, therefore a separate galaxy. Wendy Freeman discusses this discovery and its implications for cosmology. 🔭🧪⚛️
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Keith Smith
Ever wondered how many bins to choose when making a histogram of data? The answer is that you shouldn't choose a number of bins yourself! ☄️ #astrocode
Here's a little notebook explaining how to make less biased histograms:
Here's a little notebook explaining how to make less biased histograms:
Making histograms is a common way to estimate the true density distribution of a sample. But how can we choose the number of histogram bins? And if we get fancy and use kernel density estimation (KDE)...
Making histograms is a common way to estimate the true density distribution of a sample. But how can we choose the number of histogram bins? And if we get fancy and use kernel density estimation (K...
gist.github.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Ever wondered how many bins to choose when making a histogram of data? The answer is that you shouldn't choose a number of bins yourself! ☄️ #astrocode
Here's a little notebook explaining how to make less biased histograms:
Here's a little notebook explaining how to make less biased histograms:
Reposted by Keith Smith
Science has named the seemingly unstoppable growth of renewable energy worldwide as the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year.
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
December 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Science has named the seemingly unstoppable growth of renewable energy worldwide as the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year.
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
Reposted by Keith Smith
After a tumultuous year that saw his nomination withdrawn and resubmitted, Jared Isaacman, the billionaire businessman, pilot, and two-time private astronaut, was confirmed today by the U.S. Senate as NASA administrator. https://scim.ag/3MBotNj
New NASA administrator takes over after a year of scientific loss—and survival
Following Senate confirmation, billionaire Jared Isaacman will lead a diminished workforce
scim.ag
December 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
After a tumultuous year that saw his nomination withdrawn and resubmitted, Jared Isaacman, the billionaire businessman, pilot, and two-time private astronaut, was confirmed today by the U.S. Senate as NASA administrator. https://scim.ag/3MBotNj
Williford et al. have used the Perseverance rover on Mars to investigate rocks around the rim of Jezero crater. They find igneous intrusions that were later modified by liquid water with dissolved CO2, producing carbonates. ☄️ #planetsci #AGU2025
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
December 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Williford et al. have used the Perseverance rover on Mars to investigate rocks around the rim of Jezero crater. They find igneous intrusions that were later modified by liquid water with dissolved CO2, producing carbonates. ☄️ #planetsci #AGU2025
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
In this week's @science.org, a profile of NEO Surveyor. This infrared space telescope is designed to find 'city killer' asteroids that might one day impact Earth. It's currently under construction and due for launch in 2027.
Feature-length story by @squigglyvolcano.bsky.social, ☄️🔭 #planetsci
Feature-length story by @squigglyvolcano.bsky.social, ☄️🔭 #planetsci
NEW: When she worked at NASA’s JPL, Amy Mainzer used to rack up high scores on the 1979 Atari game ASTEROIDS. Very apt, now she’s in charge of a space mission that will save the world from killer asteroids.
Planet Protector, my new feature for @science.org, is live. www.science.org/content/arti...
Planet Protector, my new feature for @science.org, is live. www.science.org/content/arti...
NASA telescope will hunt down ‘city killer’ asteroids
With an infrared eye, NEO Surveyor will target dangerous space rocks glowing in the dark
www.science.org
December 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
In this week's @science.org, a profile of NEO Surveyor. This infrared space telescope is designed to find 'city killer' asteroids that might one day impact Earth. It's currently under construction and due for launch in 2027.
Feature-length story by @squigglyvolcano.bsky.social, ☄️🔭 #planetsci
Feature-length story by @squigglyvolcano.bsky.social, ☄️🔭 #planetsci
Reposted by Keith Smith
More than half of the “city killer” asteroids that might threaten Earth remain undiscovered. With an infrared eye, NASA’s NEO Surveyor aims to find them. Learn more on the @science.org podcast w/ Robin Andrews
www.science.org/content/podc...
www.science.org/content/podc...
December 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
More than half of the “city killer” asteroids that might threaten Earth remain undiscovered. With an infrared eye, NASA’s NEO Surveyor aims to find them. Learn more on the @science.org podcast w/ Robin Andrews
www.science.org/content/podc...
www.science.org/content/podc...
Reposted by Keith Smith
I'm happy to report that "Scenario 2" won't be necessary, as NASA has just communicated to us that SciX funding will continue in 2026 (albeit at a reduced level). Therefore, we will not be forcing astronomers to leave ADS, but rather develop a plan that allows a longer transition.
December 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I'm happy to report that "Scenario 2" won't be necessary, as NASA has just communicated to us that SciX funding will continue in 2026 (albeit at a reduced level). Therefore, we will not be forcing astronomers to leave ADS, but rather develop a plan that allows a longer transition.
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 12:59 PM
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...
I heard a very British announcement at the station today:
“We apologise that this train is not delayed by as much as it says on the screens”
“We apologise that this train is not delayed by as much as it says on the screens”
December 6, 2025 at 11:27 AM
I heard a very British announcement at the station today:
“We apologise that this train is not delayed by as much as it says on the screens”
“We apologise that this train is not delayed by as much as it says on the screens”
Editor's choice: lunar laser navigation. Cascioli et al. aimed the lidar on Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter at retroreflectors placed on the surface (by Apollo and other landers). The resulting range measurements improve the spacecraft orbital solution. 🔭☄️ #planetsci
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
In Other Journals
Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
www.science.org
December 5, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Editor's choice: lunar laser navigation. Cascioli et al. aimed the lidar on Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter at retroreflectors placed on the surface (by Apollo and other landers). The resulting range measurements improve the spacecraft orbital solution. 🔭☄️ #planetsci
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Not surprising, but very depressing.
Satellite fleets pose problems for space telescopes, too | Science | AAAS 🔭🧪 @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Satellite fleets pose problems for space telescopes, too
Proposed “megaconstellations” would contaminate images from telescopes in low-Earth orbit, including Hubble
www.science.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Not surprising, but very depressing.
Reposted by Keith Smith
Reminder: ⌛ the deadline for applications to be the next Editor-in-Chief of MNRAS is 9th January 2026. Interested in applying? Find all you need to know here: ras.ac.uk/mnras-eic 🔭
Call for applications: Editor-in-Chief, MNRAS
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is seeking to appoint a new Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS) to
provide outst...
ras.ac.uk
December 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reminder: ⌛ the deadline for applications to be the next Editor-in-Chief of MNRAS is 9th January 2026. Interested in applying? Find all you need to know here: ras.ac.uk/mnras-eic 🔭
Reposted by Keith Smith
Seeking greater independence, Europe boosts space agency budget | Science | AAAS 🔭🧪 @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Seeking greater independence, Europe boosts space agency budget
X-ray observatory and mission to Saturn’s moon Enceladus win as ESA’s science program sees growth
www.science.org
December 1, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Seeking greater independence, Europe boosts space agency budget | Science | AAAS 🔭🧪 @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Keith Smith
It’s a long shot, but scientists may have spotted exotic primordial black holes formed just after the Big Bang. https://scim.ag/43QhxBD
Curious gravitational wave may hint at primordial black holes—or just be noise
Astronomers approach unusual observation with caution and excitement
scim.ag
November 24, 2025 at 11:30 PM
It’s a long shot, but scientists may have spotted exotic primordial black holes formed just after the Big Bang. https://scim.ag/43QhxBD
Did no-one tell the players that the Ashes are in Test format? Eng 172 all out, Aus 123-9, all in the first day.
November 21, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Did no-one tell the players that the Ashes are in Test format? Eng 172 all out, Aus 123-9, all in the first day.
Reposted by Keith Smith
New from me for @science.org: A major planetary science conference will require submitted abstracts to comply with Trump's anti-DEI executive orders.
This conference, LPSC, is a big deal. It's been running since 1970 and is one of the biggest planetary science conferences out there. 🧪🔭
This conference, LPSC, is a big deal. It's been running since 1970 and is one of the biggest planetary science conferences out there. 🧪🔭
‘This is censorship.’ Conference requires abstracts to comply with Trump anti-DEI order
NASA-funded planetary science institute previously scrubbed hundreds of records from its archive
www.science.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:12 PM
New from me for @science.org: A major planetary science conference will require submitted abstracts to comply with Trump's anti-DEI executive orders.
This conference, LPSC, is a big deal. It's been running since 1970 and is one of the biggest planetary science conferences out there. 🧪🔭
This conference, LPSC, is a big deal. It's been running since 1970 and is one of the biggest planetary science conferences out there. 🧪🔭
A giant impact between proto-Earth and a planet called Theia produced the Moon. Hopp et al. use isotopic measurements of lunar samples and cosmochemical modelling to show that Theia formed in the inner Solar System, probably closer to the Sun than Earth. ☄️ #planetsci
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The Moon-forming impactor Theia originated from the inner Solar System
The Moon formed from a giant impact of a planetary body, called Theia, with proto-Earth. It is unknown whether Theia formed in the inner or outer Solar System. We measured iron isotopes in lunar sampl...
www.science.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:52 PM
A giant impact between proto-Earth and a planet called Theia produced the Moon. Hopp et al. use isotopic measurements of lunar samples and cosmochemical modelling to show that Theia formed in the inner Solar System, probably closer to the Sun than Earth. ☄️ #planetsci
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Keith Smith
Editors have a really hard job, and the good ones can make something unreadable readable, and the great ones can make something unreadable into something good. But they're basically invisible, until someone tries to write without one.
November 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Editors have a really hard job, and the good ones can make something unreadable readable, and the great ones can make something unreadable into something good. But they're basically invisible, until someone tries to write without one.
Reposted by Keith Smith
Giant telescope project, long planned for Hawaii, gets cozy with Spain | Science | AAAS 🔭🧪 @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Giant telescope project, long planned for Hawaii, gets cozy with Spain
Spain’s €400 million offer could induce Thirty Meter Telescope to switch sites
www.science.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Giant telescope project, long planned for Hawaii, gets cozy with Spain | Science | AAAS 🔭🧪 @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
UK science and technology is suffering from a lack of investment, a hostile immigration system, and fragile university finances, reports @cathleenogrady.bsky.social 🧪 #scipolicy
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
U.K. science sector is ‘bleeding to death,’ lawmakers say in report
House of Lords committee urges government to stem exodus of science and technology companies
www.science.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:08 PM
UK science and technology is suffering from a lack of investment, a hostile immigration system, and fragile university finances, reports @cathleenogrady.bsky.social 🧪 #scipolicy
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...