Dr. Gerard van Belle
@fringedoctor.bsky.social
Active astronomer, intrepid interferometrist, doting dad, happy hubby, heuristic homebrewer, lapsed pilot, former Director of Science at Lowell Obs. Asteroid 25155 van Belle.
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
Lowell Observatory slashes research funding in the midst of financial struggle
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
The Richard F Caris Mirror Lab in Tucson is actually attached to the UA football stadium, with some parts being below seats and extending eastward. There’s a giant red furnace below, and scaffolding holds up a 28-foot wide circular mirror.
Inside this stadium, UA is making large mirrors for the most powerful telescope to to be built
The Richard F Caris Mirror Lab in Tucson is actually attached to the UA football stadium, with some parts being below seats and extending eastward. There’s a giant red furnace below, and scaffolding h...
www.kjzz.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The Richard F Caris Mirror Lab in Tucson is actually attached to the UA football stadium, with some parts being below seats and extending eastward. There’s a giant red furnace below, and scaffolding holds up a 28-foot wide circular mirror.
Wow! It's hard to remember a time when Kevin Marvel *wasn't* in this role for the AAS.
Best wishes in your next challenge, Kevin!
Best wishes in your next challenge, Kevin!
Kevin Marvel is leaving the American Astronomical Society as of January 9, 2026 after 20 years as CEO. He'll become Exec Dir of the Society for Neuroscience.
aas.org/press/aas-an...
aas.org/press/aas-an...
November 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Wow! It's hard to remember a time when Kevin Marvel *wasn't* in this role for the AAS.
Best wishes in your next challenge, Kevin!
Best wishes in your next challenge, Kevin!
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
I love how Rep. Joe Neguse reframed this question.
October 31, 2025 at 8:19 AM
I love how Rep. Joe Neguse reframed this question.
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
Daily bunny no.3124 offers you a balloon
October 31, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Daily bunny no.3124 offers you a balloon
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
my Bloomberg story on SpaceX's use of government technology projects to build its world-leading space tech has been syndicated, so now it's easy for anyone to read for free: www.al.com/news/2025/10...
What happens when the US stops funding the science behind SpaceX?
The US could once again spend hundreds of millions of dollars - public and private - and end up no further along than the last generation of overreaching programs that never flew.
www.al.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:51 PM
my Bloomberg story on SpaceX's use of government technology projects to build its world-leading space tech has been syndicated, so now it's easy for anyone to read for free: www.al.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
Looking for an informal guide to all 27 Dutch political parties taking part in next week's elections? Look no further! My good friend Harmony Folz has you covered.... #verkiezingen
harmonyfolz.com/dutch-politi...
harmonyfolz.com/dutch-politi...
Dutch Political Parties in a Nutshell – Harmony
harmonyfolz.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Looking for an informal guide to all 27 Dutch political parties taking part in next week's elections? Look no further! My good friend Harmony Folz has you covered.... #verkiezingen
harmonyfolz.com/dutch-politi...
harmonyfolz.com/dutch-politi...
Spot on
October 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Spot on
"It turns out, in the end, that there’s only one check and balance that actually matters: Good character."
The destruction of the East Wing is a reminder that America has violated the only check-and-balance that actually ends up mattering: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/the-only-c...
The only check-and-balance that actually matters
www.doomsdayscenario.co
October 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
"It turns out, in the end, that there’s only one check and balance that actually matters: Good character."
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
✨ The New Mexico State University Foundation has named the recipients of its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards, including AAS Senior Vice President Dawn M. Gelino. 🔭
aas.org/posts/news/2...
aas.org/posts/news/2...
October 22, 2025 at 1:37 PM
✨ The New Mexico State University Foundation has named the recipients of its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards, including AAS Senior Vice President Dawn M. Gelino. 🔭
aas.org/posts/news/2...
aas.org/posts/news/2...
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
"New Far Side comics" was definitely not on my bingo card for this week. They're not bad!
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
October 16, 2025 at 6:58 PM
"New Far Side comics" was definitely not on my bingo card for this week. They're not bad!
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
Thrilled to have two years' of work out, in a pair of papers led by @gradientrider.bsky.social and @maxecharles.bsky.social.
We've built a data-driven calibration of the James Webb Interferometer to near its fundamental limits for high-res imaging - explainer at @aunz.theconversation.com!
We've built a data-driven calibration of the James Webb Interferometer to near its fundamental limits for high-res imaging - explainer at @aunz.theconversation.com!
How we sharpened the James Webb telescope’s vision from a million kilometres away
The only Australian hardware on board the legendary telescope is starting to fulfil its duties.
theconversation.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Thrilled to have two years' of work out, in a pair of papers led by @gradientrider.bsky.social and @maxecharles.bsky.social.
We've built a data-driven calibration of the James Webb Interferometer to near its fundamental limits for high-res imaging - explainer at @aunz.theconversation.com!
We've built a data-driven calibration of the James Webb Interferometer to near its fundamental limits for high-res imaging - explainer at @aunz.theconversation.com!
Brief life update: On Monday I resigned from my appointment at Lowell Observatory. I wish my remaining friends and colleagues the best of luckin their endeavors in increasing new visitor center visitation, and continuing to pursue world-class research in the face of having ended tenure today.
October 10, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Brief life update: On Monday I resigned from my appointment at Lowell Observatory. I wish my remaining friends and colleagues the best of luckin their endeavors in increasing new visitor center visitation, and continuing to pursue world-class research in the face of having ended tenure today.
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
October 9, 2025 at 7:59 PM
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
Excited to have a tour today of the new AAO building at Macquarie, where the astronomers and engineers are just beginning to bump into their new facilities! The atrium and forum are going to be awesome event spaces and the labs are enormous.
October 9, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Excited to have a tour today of the new AAO building at Macquarie, where the astronomers and engineers are just beginning to bump into their new facilities! The atrium and forum are going to be awesome event spaces and the labs are enormous.
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
Nobody *needs* to drive.
What people need is to get around.
A century of bad urban policy has led to the two being synonymous.
What people need is to get around.
A century of bad urban policy has led to the two being synonymous.
October 3, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Nobody *needs* to drive.
What people need is to get around.
A century of bad urban policy has led to the two being synonymous.
What people need is to get around.
A century of bad urban policy has led to the two being synonymous.
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
Breaking on MSNBC:
An FBI agent in the Washington field office has been fired for refusing to arrest and perp walk James Comey.
This news was first reported by Reuters.
An FBI agent in the Washington field office has been fired for refusing to arrest and perp walk James Comey.
This news was first reported by Reuters.
October 3, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Breaking on MSNBC:
An FBI agent in the Washington field office has been fired for refusing to arrest and perp walk James Comey.
This news was first reported by Reuters.
An FBI agent in the Washington field office has been fired for refusing to arrest and perp walk James Comey.
This news was first reported by Reuters.
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
If a tiny fraction of the resources deployed towards AI was invested instead in actual artists we'd be enjoying a renaissance rather than drowning in a sea of garbage
September 30, 2025 at 6:53 AM
If a tiny fraction of the resources deployed towards AI was invested instead in actual artists we'd be enjoying a renaissance rather than drowning in a sea of garbage
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
I think for me the most compelling answer for "why fund basic research?" (and the one most relevant to the people doing the work) is that humans are curious and finding stuff out makes us happy and fulfilled. Science is a thing humans like. Life would be more dull and sad if we didn't do it.
end/🧵
end/🧵
October 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I think for me the most compelling answer for "why fund basic research?" (and the one most relevant to the people doing the work) is that humans are curious and finding stuff out makes us happy and fulfilled. Science is a thing humans like. Life would be more dull and sad if we didn't do it.
end/🧵
end/🧵
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
We have job opportunities in the APEx department at MPIA - please spread the word!
Postdocs: aas.org/jobregister/...
Tenure-track staff: aas.org/jobregister/...
Max Planck Research Group Leaders: aas.org/jobregister/...
+ happy to host ERC, Humboldt, and other third-party funds.
Postdocs: aas.org/jobregister/...
Tenure-track staff: aas.org/jobregister/...
Max Planck Research Group Leaders: aas.org/jobregister/...
+ happy to host ERC, Humboldt, and other third-party funds.
September 15, 2025 at 9:32 AM
We have job opportunities in the APEx department at MPIA - please spread the word!
Postdocs: aas.org/jobregister/...
Tenure-track staff: aas.org/jobregister/...
Max Planck Research Group Leaders: aas.org/jobregister/...
+ happy to host ERC, Humboldt, and other third-party funds.
Postdocs: aas.org/jobregister/...
Tenure-track staff: aas.org/jobregister/...
Max Planck Research Group Leaders: aas.org/jobregister/...
+ happy to host ERC, Humboldt, and other third-party funds.
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
Daily bunny no.3081 just has to make it across
September 18, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Daily bunny no.3081 just has to make it across
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
My periodic reminder for #astrosci #astrodon #exoplanets Early Career Researchers to please, please, please have a simple web site with your current email address on it - rationale here: kenworthy.space/advice/
September 12, 2025 at 4:22 AM
My periodic reminder for #astrosci #astrodon #exoplanets Early Career Researchers to please, please, please have a simple web site with your current email address on it - rationale here: kenworthy.space/advice/
Reposted by Dr. Gerard van Belle
NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoc Fellowship apps are OPEN! 🔭 However, app only appears on research.gov if your role "Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow"! Click "Proposals", "Prepare and Submit Proposals", then "Prepare New". If you do not see NSF 22-621, change role to "Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow"!
September 11, 2025 at 5:53 PM
NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoc Fellowship apps are OPEN! 🔭 However, app only appears on research.gov if your role "Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow"! Click "Proposals", "Prepare and Submit Proposals", then "Prepare New". If you do not see NSF 22-621, change role to "Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow"!