Riley Clarke
@flarelord.bsky.social
Astronomy Ph.D student @udelaware.bsky.social, casual musician, TTRPG player, and cold weather enjoyer.
Working on studying stellar flares and other astrophysical transients using big data in the LSST era, and doing some data sonification on the side
Working on studying stellar flares and other astrophysical transients using big data in the LSST era, and doing some data sonification on the side
Today I defended my Ph.D dissertation, “Atmospheric Refraction as a Tool for Stellar Flare Science in the Rubin LSST Era” (You don’t get to say that everyday!) Happy to say it was successful thanks to my amazing mentors @fedhere.bsky.social and @jradavenport.com.
June 18, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Today I defended my Ph.D dissertation, “Atmospheric Refraction as a Tool for Stellar Flare Science in the Rubin LSST Era” (You don’t get to say that everyday!) Happy to say it was successful thanks to my amazing mentors @fedhere.bsky.social and @jradavenport.com.
Reposted by Riley Clarke
Any graduate student will testify that science doesn’t stop just because the government has illegally kidnapped you.
Rümeysa Öztürk spoke briefly at a press conference held when she arrived at Logan Airport tonight.
"My dear professor and lab mates are here today. I just want to highlight that. ... My advisor sent my dissertation proposal to the prison. My lab mates have been reading me books on the phone."
"My dear professor and lab mates are here today. I just want to highlight that. ... My advisor sent my dissertation proposal to the prison. My lab mates have been reading me books on the phone."
LIVE NOW: Rümeysa Öztürk and her legal team
Best QUALITY link
Best QUALITY link
May 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Any graduate student will testify that science doesn’t stop just because the government has illegally kidnapped you.
Reposted by Riley Clarke
𝗡𝗼, 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝟮-𝟭𝟴𝗯'𝘀 𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.
K2-18b is back in the news, now with a bold claim that biosignature molecules (DMS and/or DMDS) have been 'detected at 3σ'.
Most exoplanet astronomers are extremely sceptical about these claims, let's see why (1/n).
🔭🧪🪐 #exoplanet
K2-18b is back in the news, now with a bold claim that biosignature molecules (DMS and/or DMDS) have been 'detected at 3σ'.
Most exoplanet astronomers are extremely sceptical about these claims, let's see why (1/n).
🔭🧪🪐 #exoplanet
April 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
𝗡𝗼, 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝟮-𝟭𝟴𝗯'𝘀 𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.
K2-18b is back in the news, now with a bold claim that biosignature molecules (DMS and/or DMDS) have been 'detected at 3σ'.
Most exoplanet astronomers are extremely sceptical about these claims, let's see why (1/n).
🔭🧪🪐 #exoplanet
K2-18b is back in the news, now with a bold claim that biosignature molecules (DMS and/or DMDS) have been 'detected at 3σ'.
Most exoplanet astronomers are extremely sceptical about these claims, let's see why (1/n).
🔭🧪🪐 #exoplanet
Reposted by Riley Clarke
Good for Harvard
April 15, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Good for Harvard
Writing a dissertation as a Ph.D student in the US feels kinda weird right now. Like you’re adding a single tile to a mosaic while the entire foundation is crumbling beneath you.
April 15, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Writing a dissertation as a Ph.D student in the US feels kinda weird right now. Like you’re adding a single tile to a mosaic while the entire foundation is crumbling beneath you.
Reposted by Riley Clarke
The president's budget request seeks to strangle astronomy in the US.
The president's hit job specifically seeks to murder the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope – a revolutionary facility that is fully assembled, on budget, and nearly ready to launch. 🧪🔭
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
The president's hit job specifically seeks to murder the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope – a revolutionary facility that is fully assembled, on budget, and nearly ready to launch. 🧪🔭
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
April 11, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The president's budget request seeks to strangle astronomy in the US.
The president's hit job specifically seeks to murder the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope – a revolutionary facility that is fully assembled, on budget, and nearly ready to launch. 🧪🔭
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
The president's hit job specifically seeks to murder the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope – a revolutionary facility that is fully assembled, on budget, and nearly ready to launch. 🧪🔭
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
Reposted by Riley Clarke
Anti-Trump/Musk protest in Newark, Delaware (pop. 35,000). This is not a very political town. Might be the biggest protest I’ve seen in my six years here.
April 5, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Anti-Trump/Musk protest in Newark, Delaware (pop. 35,000). This is not a very political town. Might be the biggest protest I’ve seen in my six years here.
In a way, it’s a privilege to have a front row seat to watch the decline of the American empire unfold in real time. But it gets less fun when you and your friends and family are subjects of that empire. Pic related.
March 4, 2025 at 7:56 PM
In a way, it’s a privilege to have a front row seat to watch the decline of the American empire unfold in real time. But it gets less fun when you and your friends and family are subjects of that empire. Pic related.
Some days even spite just isn't enough to keep you carrying on.
February 14, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Some days even spite just isn't enough to keep you carrying on.
Reposted by Riley Clarke
It is incredibly, incredibly concerning to see the sudden escalation in attacks directed at judges deciding federal cases about the scope of the administration's power, and the framing of federal judges as "unelected adversaries". These are urgent alarm bells for preserving the rule of law.
February 11, 2025 at 8:17 PM
It is incredibly, incredibly concerning to see the sudden escalation in attacks directed at judges deciding federal cases about the scope of the administration's power, and the framing of federal judges as "unelected adversaries". These are urgent alarm bells for preserving the rule of law.
Oh damn other countries are intolerant of marginalized people? Good thing we don't do that!
‼️ The State Department has REMOVED TQIA+ on their page of recommendations for queer travelers. This page yesterday said "LGBTQIA+" and now just says "LGB".
The federal government is trying to erase trans people from existence.
The federal government is trying to erase trans people from existence.
January 31, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Oh damn other countries are intolerant of marginalized people? Good thing we don't do that!
Reposted by Riley Clarke
NEW: Vera Rubin was a pioneering female astronomer. The federal webpage for an observatory named for her now excludes mention of efforts to diversify science.
“I’m sure Vera would be absolutely furious,” said a co-author of a biography of Rubin.
By @lisalsong.bsky.social
“I’m sure Vera would be absolutely furious,” said a co-author of a biography of Rubin.
By @lisalsong.bsky.social
Vera Rubin Was a Pioneering Female Astronomer. Her Federal Bio Now Doesn’t Mention Efforts to Diversify Science.
The edits to the webpage offer a glimpse into how far the Trump administration will go in refusing to acknowledge today’s inequalities as it purges federal initiatives promoting diversity, equity and…
propub.li
January 30, 2025 at 7:53 PM
NEW: Vera Rubin was a pioneering female astronomer. The federal webpage for an observatory named for her now excludes mention of efforts to diversify science.
“I’m sure Vera would be absolutely furious,” said a co-author of a biography of Rubin.
By @lisalsong.bsky.social
“I’m sure Vera would be absolutely furious,” said a co-author of a biography of Rubin.
By @lisalsong.bsky.social
Reposted by Riley Clarke
I listen to @npr.org every day (s/o @kuow.org). Today I'm lucky & proud to be part of a piece talking about SETI and the amazing future of 🔭🧪🎧⭐ with @vrubinobs.bsky.social. Thank you to my friend Regina & the Short Wave team for having me on!
www.npr.org/2025/01/22/1...
www.npr.org/2025/01/22/1...
Why some astronomers are excited about the search for alien life : Short Wave
Around the turn of the century, 3.8 million people banded together in a real-time search for aliens — with screensavers. It was a big moment in a century-long concerted search for extraterrestrial int...
www.npr.org
January 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I listen to @npr.org every day (s/o @kuow.org). Today I'm lucky & proud to be part of a piece talking about SETI and the amazing future of 🔭🧪🎧⭐ with @vrubinobs.bsky.social. Thank you to my friend Regina & the Short Wave team for having me on!
www.npr.org/2025/01/22/1...
www.npr.org/2025/01/22/1...
Reposted by Riley Clarke
This thread is something.
Not only is it just really bad digital practice (like someone with complete inexperience in these things), even looks like actively making #accessibility challenging.
Think about the state of mind one has to be in to go in and make *these* types of changes. So messed up.
Not only is it just really bad digital practice (like someone with complete inexperience in these things), even looks like actively making #accessibility challenging.
Think about the state of mind one has to be in to go in and make *these* types of changes. So messed up.
We're entering a dark period in US #accessibility.
The White House home page has a bunch of links with "aria-hidden" and "tabindex=-1".
This hides the links from assistive tech like screen readers & makes them unreachable with just a keyboard.
Critical #WCAG compliance errors! But who can sue?
The White House home page has a bunch of links with "aria-hidden" and "tabindex=-1".
This hides the links from assistive tech like screen readers & makes them unreachable with just a keyboard.
Critical #WCAG compliance errors! But who can sue?
January 21, 2025 at 11:26 PM
This thread is something.
Not only is it just really bad digital practice (like someone with complete inexperience in these things), even looks like actively making #accessibility challenging.
Think about the state of mind one has to be in to go in and make *these* types of changes. So messed up.
Not only is it just really bad digital practice (like someone with complete inexperience in these things), even looks like actively making #accessibility challenging.
Think about the state of mind one has to be in to go in and make *these* types of changes. So messed up.
Reposted by Riley Clarke
I always try to film and share my conference talks... here is my short talk from #AAS245 about using Dynamic Time Warping to solve wavelength calibrations in astronomical spectra. Paper coming soon!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQ5... 🔭
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQ5... 🔭
Automatic wavelength calibration using Dynamic Time Warping: Full Talk
YouTube video by James Davenport
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I always try to film and share my conference talks... here is my short talk from #AAS245 about using Dynamic Time Warping to solve wavelength calibrations in astronomical spectra. Paper coming soon!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQ5... 🔭
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQ5... 🔭
Returning home after 6 full days of conferencing, networking, and sciencing - Still one of the best feelings ever.
January 17, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Returning home after 6 full days of conferencing, networking, and sciencing - Still one of the best feelings ever.
Just gave my dissertation talk at #aas245! Many thanks to everyone who came and supported me and my mentors @fedhere.bsky.social, and @jradavenport.com. Awesome to see the excitement for early science with @vrubinobs.bsky.social!
And big thanks to @startorialist.com for assisting with the fit!
And big thanks to @startorialist.com for assisting with the fit!
January 16, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Just gave my dissertation talk at #aas245! Many thanks to everyone who came and supported me and my mentors @fedhere.bsky.social, and @jradavenport.com. Awesome to see the excitement for early science with @vrubinobs.bsky.social!
And big thanks to @startorialist.com for assisting with the fit!
And big thanks to @startorialist.com for assisting with the fit!
Reposted by Riley Clarke
Today at #aas245, @vrubinobs.bsky.social gave the world the first glimpse of their data.
Tomorrow the Gaia survey will end.
We are watching astronomical history unfold in real time!
Tomorrow the Gaia survey will end.
We are watching astronomical history unfold in real time!
January 14, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Today at #aas245, @vrubinobs.bsky.social gave the world the first glimpse of their data.
Tomorrow the Gaia survey will end.
We are watching astronomical history unfold in real time!
Tomorrow the Gaia survey will end.
We are watching astronomical history unfold in real time!
TIL the name of Jupyter Notebooks comes from the three core supported languages: Julia, Python, and R.
January 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
TIL the name of Jupyter Notebooks comes from the three core supported languages: Julia, Python, and R.
January 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Riley Clarke
Think twice before gifting someone an M dwarf this holiday season
December 22, 2024 at 4:22 AM
Think twice before gifting someone an M dwarf this holiday season
Grim topic but very recommended. Knowing the details of how fascist movements took root and gained power is so important if we want to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
December 7, 2024 at 8:25 PM
Grim topic but very recommended. Knowing the details of how fascist movements took root and gained power is so important if we want to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Feeling like I'm in a spy thriller as I say the secret passphrase that the customer service technician gave me to bypass their own automated system and be directed to a real agent after being connected to a different department.
November 27, 2024 at 9:33 PM
Feeling like I'm in a spy thriller as I say the secret passphrase that the customer service technician gave me to bypass their own automated system and be directed to a real agent after being connected to a different department.
"It has promulgated an ever-shifting array of rebarbative neologisms [...]"
One of the most eye-rolling sentences I've ever read.
One of the most eye-rolling sentences I've ever read.
November 26, 2024 at 5:36 PM
"It has promulgated an ever-shifting array of rebarbative neologisms [...]"
One of the most eye-rolling sentences I've ever read.
One of the most eye-rolling sentences I've ever read.