Kat Volk
@katvolk.bsky.social
Planetary scientist, equestrian, and cat herder. Cat posts at: https://bsky.app/profile/katskitties.bsky.social
Didn’t sleep well last night so took an ambien tonight. But I didn’t do it like my brother says works best regarding food amounts and timing relative to the ambien, and I can tell. Hate when he’s right but he’s right. Did it his way last week and it knocked me out. Forgot tonight and I don’t feel it
January 28, 2026 at 3:26 AM
Didn’t sleep well last night so took an ambien tonight. But I didn’t do it like my brother says works best regarding food amounts and timing relative to the ambien, and I can tell. Hate when he’s right but he’s right. Did it his way last week and it knocked me out. Forgot tonight and I don’t feel it
Nothing like being on hold for 20 minutes, talking to someone for one minute where they say they have to transfer you, then the department they transfer you to hangs up on you and refuses to call back
January 28, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Nothing like being on hold for 20 minutes, talking to someone for one minute where they say they have to transfer you, then the department they transfer you to hangs up on you and refuses to call back
Reposted by Kat Volk
May I suggest that we take our science to the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences meeting? The DPS never lost focus on inclusivity and advocacy. If we move there together, we can update and expand the community of science focus. aas.org/meetings/58t...
January 27, 2026 at 7:07 PM
May I suggest that we take our science to the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences meeting? The DPS never lost focus on inclusivity and advocacy. If we move there together, we can update and expand the community of science focus. aas.org/meetings/58t...
Well, I've already replaced my capital one Visa card with a new visa through my main bank. Gonna have to do some research to figure out what rewards card will replace my discover card (though probably won't want to close my discover card since it's my second oldest account. ugh)
the takeover of Discover card by Capital One is going real *fucking* well. The very first charge after they took over management of my credit card was declined. It was the auto-pay for my pet sitting. I have all my autopays on that card. This is going to go *great*
January 27, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Well, I've already replaced my capital one Visa card with a new visa through my main bank. Gonna have to do some research to figure out what rewards card will replace my discover card (though probably won't want to close my discover card since it's my second oldest account. ugh)
the takeover of Discover card by Capital One is going real *fucking* well. The very first charge after they took over management of my credit card was declined. It was the auto-pay for my pet sitting. I have all my autopays on that card. This is going to go *great*
January 27, 2026 at 1:39 AM
the takeover of Discover card by Capital One is going real *fucking* well. The very first charge after they took over management of my credit card was declined. It was the auto-pay for my pet sitting. I have all my autopays on that card. This is going to go *great*
lol. Banner submitted their claim for my shoulder MRI at $5100. This is the MRI my insurance company approved immediately with no hassle. Compared to the $250 back MRI they fought me for like 16 months on. Makes total sense 🤦♀️
January 26, 2026 at 10:22 PM
lol. Banner submitted their claim for my shoulder MRI at $5100. This is the MRI my insurance company approved immediately with no hassle. Compared to the $250 back MRI they fought me for like 16 months on. Makes total sense 🤦♀️
A lot has already been said about Alex Pretti, but I just wanted to add that what really struck me is how he was using his likely precious little time off from work to stand up for what he believed in and try to protect other people. I (sadly) interacted with a lot of ICU nurses this month.
January 26, 2026 at 8:55 PM
A lot has already been said about Alex Pretti, but I just wanted to add that what really struck me is how he was using his likely precious little time off from work to stand up for what he believed in and try to protect other people. I (sadly) interacted with a lot of ICU nurses this month.
Echo’s turn for first purr duty this morning. She was a pest the entire time I was doing computer stuff (checking mom’s emails to make sure we haven’t missed any important bills, etc). Now she’s happy and says it’s rest time
January 25, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Echo’s turn for first purr duty this morning. She was a pest the entire time I was doing computer stuff (checking mom’s emails to make sure we haven’t missed any important bills, etc). Now she’s happy and says it’s rest time
Gus hasn’t done much sitting with me in the recliner lately (it’s more of Echo’s thing), but he’s on it today. Also was a purring furry pillow for me last night. He’s a good kitty
January 24, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Gus hasn’t done much sitting with me in the recliner lately (it’s more of Echo’s thing), but he’s on it today. Also was a purring furry pillow for me last night. He’s a good kitty
Reposted by Kat Volk
NCAR oversight was my main assignment at NSF before the federal govt started dismantling NSF last year. This would be such a mistake to carry out.
Attention folks in the weather, climate, disaster, wildfire, and Earth science communities: NSF has just published a new "Dear Colleague" letter inviting feedback (by Mar 13) on the proposal to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). www.nsf.gov/funding/...
January 24, 2026 at 12:43 AM
NCAR oversight was my main assignment at NSF before the federal govt started dismantling NSF last year. This would be such a mistake to carry out.
My sister and I made it to Florida pretty much just in time for my mom to know we were there. My brother had taken over the hospital watch a few days ago. She passed away this afternoon with all 3 of her kids holding her hands. Miss you mom
January 21, 2026 at 12:17 AM
My sister and I made it to Florida pretty much just in time for my mom to know we were there. My brother had taken over the hospital watch a few days ago. She passed away this afternoon with all 3 of her kids holding her hands. Miss you mom
Love the “boarding shortly” lie at the gate when we can all plainly see the incoming plane isn’t here yet….
January 20, 2026 at 6:08 AM
Love the “boarding shortly” lie at the gate when we can all plainly see the incoming plane isn’t here yet….
lol. Watching a Tudor history show and the horses galloping in the jousting scene definitely have modern, velcro splint boots. Glad they don’t sacrifice horse welfare for historical accuracy 😂 (it’s b-roll for a documentary, so doesn’t really matter and prob nearly no one notices)
January 19, 2026 at 12:58 AM
lol. Watching a Tudor history show and the horses galloping in the jousting scene definitely have modern, velcro splint boots. Glad they don’t sacrifice horse welfare for historical accuracy 😂 (it’s b-roll for a documentary, so doesn’t really matter and prob nearly no one notices)
Looks like the nasa AGs are no more science.nasa.gov/planetary-sc...
Letter from the NASA Planetary Science Director: the Future of the Planetary Science Analysis and Assessment Groups (AGs) - NASA Science
A Letter from the NASA Planetary Science Director, Dr. Louise M. Prockter: the Future of the Planetary Science Analysis and Assessment Groups (AGs)
science.nasa.gov
January 16, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Looks like the nasa AGs are no more science.nasa.gov/planetary-sc...
Reposted by Kat Volk
Giant THANK YOUs to everyone who helped our science community through your advocacy to Congress and your networks. YOU changed the narrative. WE ALL win. 🧪🔭🛰️🌎🪐⚒️🔬
📢THE #Senate OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED THE #NASA/ #NSF/ #NOAA/ #NIST MINIBUS!! 🥳🤩🎉
@noaa.gov @altnoaa.bsky.social @roguenoaa.altgov.info @roguenasa.altgov.info @aaas.org @aas.org @agu.org @planetarysociety.bsky.social @ucs.org
www.engadget.com/science/spac...
@noaa.gov @altnoaa.bsky.social @roguenoaa.altgov.info @roguenasa.altgov.info @aaas.org @aas.org @agu.org @planetarysociety.bsky.social @ucs.org
www.engadget.com/science/spac...
Senate passes minibus bill funding NASA, rejecting Trump's proposed cuts
After a tumultuous 2025 that saw it lose around 4,000 employees, NASA finally has an operating budget for 2026, and one that largely preserves its scientific capabilities.
www.engadget.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Giant THANK YOUs to everyone who helped our science community through your advocacy to Congress and your networks. YOU changed the narrative. WE ALL win. 🧪🔭🛰️🌎🪐⚒️🔬
Oh Florida. Where every water feature comes with a warning
January 12, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Oh Florida. Where every water feature comes with a warning
Reposted by Kat Volk
Haha it’s a classic
since everyone loves a good orange cat story, i have one from this weekend 🧵
January 11, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Haha it’s a classic
Reposted by Kat Volk
My in-house editor is telling me I still have twenty-two minutes on the clock for the work day
January 9, 2026 at 9:38 PM
My in-house editor is telling me I still have twenty-two minutes on the clock for the work day
Reposted by Kat Volk
DPS and the AAS continue to be strong advocates for science and the community. I would love if our LPSC community would migrate there together.
January 8, 2026 at 2:25 AM
DPS and the AAS continue to be strong advocates for science and the community. I would love if our LPSC community would migrate there together.
Reposted by Kat Volk
I did not realize The Onion had a reporter at #AAS247 this week.
NASA Discovers Distant Planet With Conditions That Could Sustain Rocks https://theonion.com/nasa-discovers-distant-planet-with-conditions-that-could-sustain-rocks/
January 7, 2026 at 3:42 PM
I did not realize The Onion had a reporter at #AAS247 this week.
Back at #AAS247 for one more day. The drive up was predictably bad this morning. Left only 30 minutes later than on Monday and got here a bit more than an hour later. Rush hour on I-10 starts early around Phoenix
January 7, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Back at #AAS247 for one more day. The drive up was predictably bad this morning. Left only 30 minutes later than on Monday and got here a bit more than an hour later. Rush hour on I-10 starts early around Phoenix
Reposted by Kat Volk
Now we’re here, ready for the next major disaster. (Spoiler warning.)
January 6, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Now we’re here, ready for the next major disaster. (Spoiler warning.)
Reposted by Kat Volk
There's so much amazing information in this figure - Sun, Moon, clouds - these keograms make for some excellent #dataviz
Happy new year! My all sky camera imaged the sky every 15 seconds and this picture shows what happened in the sky in 2025. It shows the length of the night and day with the hourglass shape, the monthly lunar cycle with the diagonal bands, the elevation of the Sun at local noon, and lots of clouds.
January 6, 2026 at 9:34 AM
There's so much amazing information in this figure - Sun, Moon, clouds - these keograms make for some excellent #dataviz
It was a late drive home, but Gus is very happy that I’m back from #AAS247! I’ll be back up in Phoenix on Wednesday (can’t drive up every day, plus I need to spend tomorrow digging out of the holiday email backlog!)
January 6, 2026 at 5:32 AM
It was a late drive home, but Gus is very happy that I’m back from #AAS247! I’ll be back up in Phoenix on Wednesday (can’t drive up every day, plus I need to spend tomorrow digging out of the holiday email backlog!)