Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
@jupforjupiter.bsky.social
Structural Planetary Geologist | From Mercury to Pluto 🪐 | Asteroid 32027 | Playing too much video 🎮 | She/her/Dr. | 🇭🇰 | 🐈⬛🐈
jupiterhansen.com
jupiterhansen.com
Pinned
Reorientation and despinning of 4 Vesta formed the Divalia Fossae
The Divalia Fossae are formed by tectonic stresses from reorientation and despinning of Vesta caused by large impacts.
www.science.org
Check out our new paper in Science Advances!
🧪🔭🪐
We show that Vesta’s giant equatorial troughs—Divalia Fossae—likely formed from spin axis reorientation and despinning as a long-term consequence of the two massive impacts near the south poles. 🪨⚒️
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
🧪🔭🪐
We show that Vesta’s giant equatorial troughs—Divalia Fossae—likely formed from spin axis reorientation and despinning as a long-term consequence of the two massive impacts near the south poles. 🪨⚒️
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
Pallasite (sold as NWA 16774) — polished slice (4.7 g).
Wide view + close-up under raking light: translucent olivine crystals in an Fe–Ni metal network, with dark opaque inclusions (likely sulfides). Minor oxidation/staining visible in places.
Wide view + close-up under raking light: translucent olivine crystals in an Fe–Ni metal network, with dark opaque inclusions (likely sulfides). Minor oxidation/staining visible in places.
January 3, 2026 at 5:12 AM
Pallasite (sold as NWA 16774) — polished slice (4.7 g).
Wide view + close-up under raking light: translucent olivine crystals in an Fe–Ni metal network, with dark opaque inclusions (likely sulfides). Minor oxidation/staining visible in places.
Wide view + close-up under raking light: translucent olivine crystals in an Fe–Ni metal network, with dark opaque inclusions (likely sulfides). Minor oxidation/staining visible in places.
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
My daughter’s cat hates our other cat, and will sometimes sit watching him sleep from behind my office door
January 3, 2026 at 1:18 AM
My daughter’s cat hates our other cat, and will sometimes sit watching him sleep from behind my office door
Not hardcover, but I got it for free when a professor retired during my Ph.D. And I was probably the only planetary grad student at that time 🤓
January 3, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Not hardcover, but I got it for free when a professor retired during my Ph.D. And I was probably the only planetary grad student at that time 🤓
Really, really good book 📖. I gave it as a Christmas gift, and my in-law really enjoyed it as well.
"Anger is not a feeling; it’s a defence. When you can’t acknowledge your true feelings because they’re too excruciating, you defend against them with anger."
"Anger is not a feeling; it’s a defence. When you can’t acknowledge your true feelings because they’re too excruciating, you defend against them with anger."
January 2, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Really, really good book 📖. I gave it as a Christmas gift, and my in-law really enjoyed it as well.
"Anger is not a feeling; it’s a defence. When you can’t acknowledge your true feelings because they’re too excruciating, you defend against them with anger."
"Anger is not a feeling; it’s a defence. When you can’t acknowledge your true feelings because they’re too excruciating, you defend against them with anger."
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
HiPOD: A Polar Crater Cluster?
This potential crater cluster has the largest cluster member of approximately 40 meters. We want to know to what extent this is a cluster versus modification from carbon dioxide ice processes.
uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_07...
#Mars #science #NASA
This potential crater cluster has the largest cluster member of approximately 40 meters. We want to know to what extent this is a cluster versus modification from carbon dioxide ice processes.
uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_07...
#Mars #science #NASA
December 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
HiPOD: A Polar Crater Cluster?
This potential crater cluster has the largest cluster member of approximately 40 meters. We want to know to what extent this is a cluster versus modification from carbon dioxide ice processes.
uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_07...
#Mars #science #NASA
This potential crater cluster has the largest cluster member of approximately 40 meters. We want to know to what extent this is a cluster versus modification from carbon dioxide ice processes.
uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_07...
#Mars #science #NASA
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
We call the very upper-atmospheric lightnings elves and sprites (which is itself great), and these events don't appear everywhere. The analysis in this study argues that elves are mostly occur along the tectonic plates' boundaries, which is slightly crazy. 🧪⚒️
Link: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Link: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
December 31, 2025 at 6:47 AM
We call the very upper-atmospheric lightnings elves and sprites (which is itself great), and these events don't appear everywhere. The analysis in this study argues that elves are mostly occur along the tectonic plates' boundaries, which is slightly crazy. 🧪⚒️
Link: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Link: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
“There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than a distant image of our tiny world. …it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.”
— Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994
— Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994
Open up this picture fully.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
December 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than a distant image of our tiny world. …it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.”
— Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994
— Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
People of Bluesky! Are you ready for the Top Squirrels of 2025??????
a group of squirrels standing next to each other with a tumblr.com logo in the background
Alt: a group of animated squirrels very excited
media.tenor.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:54 PM
People of Bluesky! Are you ready for the Top Squirrels of 2025??????
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
When the world is a giant sandbox, do the one thing you can: dig!!
Thank you to White Sands National Park for actually allowing dogs. He was living his best life out there among the cool gypsum sand.
Thank you to White Sands National Park for actually allowing dogs. He was living his best life out there among the cool gypsum sand.
December 30, 2025 at 6:11 PM
When the world is a giant sandbox, do the one thing you can: dig!!
Thank you to White Sands National Park for actually allowing dogs. He was living his best life out there among the cool gypsum sand.
Thank you to White Sands National Park for actually allowing dogs. He was living his best life out there among the cool gypsum sand.
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
Who will win ✨ #planetaryScience image of 2025 ✨?
Currently, Uranus is winning, but you still have time to vote for either finalist in this thread here until tomorrow, Dec. 30, at 3 p.m. UTC/4 p.m. CET/10 a.m. EST/7 a.m. PST/midnight JST: bsky.app/profile/spac...
🧪⚛️
Currently, Uranus is winning, but you still have time to vote for either finalist in this thread here until tomorrow, Dec. 30, at 3 p.m. UTC/4 p.m. CET/10 a.m. EST/7 a.m. PST/midnight JST: bsky.app/profile/spac...
🧪⚛️
December 29, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Who will win ✨ #planetaryScience image of 2025 ✨?
Currently, Uranus is winning, but you still have time to vote for either finalist in this thread here until tomorrow, Dec. 30, at 3 p.m. UTC/4 p.m. CET/10 a.m. EST/7 a.m. PST/midnight JST: bsky.app/profile/spac...
🧪⚛️
Currently, Uranus is winning, but you still have time to vote for either finalist in this thread here until tomorrow, Dec. 30, at 3 p.m. UTC/4 p.m. CET/10 a.m. EST/7 a.m. PST/midnight JST: bsky.app/profile/spac...
🧪⚛️
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
I always tell students if you ask a good question the article will write itself
December 30, 2025 at 4:12 AM
I always tell students if you ask a good question the article will write itself
Maybe one day I will write one 💭
One thing that is fun about revising or writing a science textbook is getting all sorts of little weird research ideas by immersing oneself in the literature.
December 30, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Maybe one day I will write one 💭
There is no such thing as “extensional stress.” Stress can be compressive, tensile, or shear, while extension refers to strain. Extension can result from different stress states, not exclusively tensile stress.
December 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
There is no such thing as “extensional stress.” Stress can be compressive, tensile, or shear, while extension refers to strain. Extension can result from different stress states, not exclusively tensile stress.
December 28, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
ESP_023531_1840 - From UAHiRISE (NASA) (uahirise.bsky.social) - https://flic.kr/p/efzwvb
December 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
ESP_023531_1840 - From UAHiRISE (NASA) (uahirise.bsky.social) - https://flic.kr/p/efzwvb
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
Cool contrasting collapse patterns side by side on the leeward side of the crest of a sand dune in Mesquite Flats. ⚒️
December 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Cool contrasting collapse patterns side by side on the leeward side of the crest of a sand dune in Mesquite Flats. ⚒️
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
Broken things.
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⚒️
December 26, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Broken things.
⚒️
⚒️
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
Gamers. It’s time
December 24, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Gamers. It’s time
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
Interesting look at a kidney stone under an electron microscope; I always though it was painful because you were pushing an object through a hole too small for it to easily pass, but no it's literally just razor sharp crystals too.
December 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Interesting look at a kidney stone under an electron microscope; I always though it was painful because you were pushing an object through a hole too small for it to easily pass, but no it's literally just razor sharp crystals too.
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
Possibly the greatest holiday present we ever received was in early July 2020 when we were gifted a smiley ass street kitten.
December 25, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Possibly the greatest holiday present we ever received was in early July 2020 when we were gifted a smiley ass street kitten.
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
On the 9th day of fossils, my true love gave to me...
9 Phacopid trilobites!
Phacopids are a family of trilobites. They are one of the most common Devonian aged trilobites. I've found them in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Oklahoma and Ontario.
1/x
#12DaysofFossils
9 Phacopid trilobites!
Phacopids are a family of trilobites. They are one of the most common Devonian aged trilobites. I've found them in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Oklahoma and Ontario.
1/x
#12DaysofFossils
December 23, 2025 at 5:05 AM
On the 9th day of fossils, my true love gave to me...
9 Phacopid trilobites!
Phacopids are a family of trilobites. They are one of the most common Devonian aged trilobites. I've found them in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Oklahoma and Ontario.
1/x
#12DaysofFossils
9 Phacopid trilobites!
Phacopids are a family of trilobites. They are one of the most common Devonian aged trilobites. I've found them in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Oklahoma and Ontario.
1/x
#12DaysofFossils
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
I wanted to do a quick thread about this paper led by a great postdoc here at JPL, Flavio Petricca, which suggests that Titan may not have a global ocean after all. www.nasa.gov/solar-system...
NASA Study Suggests Saturn’s Moon Titan May Not Have Global Ocean - NASA
A key discovery from NASA’s Cassini mission in 2008 was that Saturn’s largest moon Titan may have a vast water ocean below its hydrocarbon-rich surface. But
www.nasa.gov
December 18, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I wanted to do a quick thread about this paper led by a great postdoc here at JPL, Flavio Petricca, which suggests that Titan may not have a global ocean after all. www.nasa.gov/solar-system...
Reposted by Jupiter Hansen (Cheng)
Scientist at #AGU25 are speaking out to #SaveNCAR. Join more than 2000 of your colleagues to call or email your members of Congress to ask them to support NCAR today: agu.quorum.us/campaign/151...
December 18, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Scientist at #AGU25 are speaking out to #SaveNCAR. Join more than 2000 of your colleagues to call or email your members of Congress to ask them to support NCAR today: agu.quorum.us/campaign/151...