Misadventures In Astro
@misadventures.astronomer.social
Are you really going to read this? Really? Fine. Amateur avocational astronomer working in aerospace.
Pinned
"Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov
Recently I learned that there are only about 5 million industrial robots in operation across the ENTIRE planet.
I hope this puts into context how absolutely absurd the Tesla pivot to Optimus is. This is less about building a sci-fi utopia, and more about the tech bro suppression of human labor.
I hope this puts into context how absolutely absurd the Tesla pivot to Optimus is. This is less about building a sci-fi utopia, and more about the tech bro suppression of human labor.
bender from futurama is holding a dollar bill in front of a closed sign
ALT: bender from futurama is holding a dollar bill in front of a closed sign
media.tenor.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Recently I learned that there are only about 5 million industrial robots in operation across the ENTIRE planet.
I hope this puts into context how absolutely absurd the Tesla pivot to Optimus is. This is less about building a sci-fi utopia, and more about the tech bro suppression of human labor.
I hope this puts into context how absolutely absurd the Tesla pivot to Optimus is. This is less about building a sci-fi utopia, and more about the tech bro suppression of human labor.
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
My textbook on SETI is published!
Please see if your libraries offer a free download—mine does!
iopscience.iop.org/book/mono/97...
If so, you can order hardcopies for around $30 each.
Otherwise, you can buy copies here:
store.ioppublishing.org/page/detail/...
I hope you like it!
Please see if your libraries offer a free download—mine does!
iopscience.iop.org/book/mono/97...
If so, you can order hardcopies for around $30 each.
Otherwise, you can buy copies here:
store.ioppublishing.org/page/detail/...
I hope you like it!
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: Theory and practice
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: Theory and practice, Wright, Jason T
iopscience.iop.org
January 26, 2026 at 4:18 PM
My textbook on SETI is published!
Please see if your libraries offer a free download—mine does!
iopscience.iop.org/book/mono/97...
If so, you can order hardcopies for around $30 each.
Otherwise, you can buy copies here:
store.ioppublishing.org/page/detail/...
I hope you like it!
Please see if your libraries offer a free download—mine does!
iopscience.iop.org/book/mono/97...
If so, you can order hardcopies for around $30 each.
Otherwise, you can buy copies here:
store.ioppublishing.org/page/detail/...
I hope you like it!
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
![Comic. [Person pointing to graph on wall, addressing two people – one with close-cropped haircut, one with shoulder-length styled haircut – seated behind a desk.] PERSON: By lowering the planned satellite orbit, we can reduce the size of the launch vehicle required. We can reduce costs further by eliminating the satellite entirely in favor of an aerial platform. Some equipment could be moved to a ground-based facility, reducing required aircraft time. Additional savings could be… [caption] I’m trying to get NASA to build a shed in my backyard.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreibr5srobdfzld7ciekkd2s7icra7o4uix5pol3mlf3jmne5c5e7lu@jpeg)
January 24, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Any photography friends have good luck w/ KEH? Just had 2 back to back disappointments. 1st lens was clearly dropped and had bad coma/tilt. It happens. Only available replacement is a better condition (ie more $) lens. Really excited about F1.4 so okay. FedEx delivery today. Wrong mount system. FFS
kermit the frog is driving a car and says really ?
ALT: kermit the frog is driving a car and says really ?
media.tenor.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Any photography friends have good luck w/ KEH? Just had 2 back to back disappointments. 1st lens was clearly dropped and had bad coma/tilt. It happens. Only available replacement is a better condition (ie more $) lens. Really excited about F1.4 so okay. FedEx delivery today. Wrong mount system. FFS
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
I found this take from Tillie Martinussen, a politician from Greenland, to be very useful for understanding the perspective of someone from the island.
(Heads up: I don't know who "APT News" is, but this is the longest uncut video of the Tillie Martinussen interview that I could find).
(Heads up: I don't know who "APT News" is, but this is the longest uncut video of the Tillie Martinussen interview that I could find).
‘Big Miscalculation’: Greenlandic Politician Warns Trump Over Bid to Take Arctic Island | APT
YouTube video by APT
m.youtube.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:53 PM
I found this take from Tillie Martinussen, a politician from Greenland, to be very useful for understanding the perspective of someone from the island.
(Heads up: I don't know who "APT News" is, but this is the longest uncut video of the Tillie Martinussen interview that I could find).
(Heads up: I don't know who "APT News" is, but this is the longest uncut video of the Tillie Martinussen interview that I could find).
G4 AURORA ALERT AFTER SUNSET IN NORTH AMERICA!
1) Sunday there was a X1.9 CME that seems destine for at least a glancing blow to Earth. Normally it would be days out, but with the help of a coronal hole facing Earth over the weekend it seems to moving at blistering speeds of 1400kms.
1) Sunday there was a X1.9 CME that seems destine for at least a glancing blow to Earth. Normally it would be days out, but with the help of a coronal hole facing Earth over the weekend it seems to moving at blistering speeds of 1400kms.
January 19, 2026 at 7:49 PM
G4 AURORA ALERT AFTER SUNSET IN NORTH AMERICA!
1) Sunday there was a X1.9 CME that seems destine for at least a glancing blow to Earth. Normally it would be days out, but with the help of a coronal hole facing Earth over the weekend it seems to moving at blistering speeds of 1400kms.
1) Sunday there was a X1.9 CME that seems destine for at least a glancing blow to Earth. Normally it would be days out, but with the help of a coronal hole facing Earth over the weekend it seems to moving at blistering speeds of 1400kms.
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
Astronomer here! Are you an undergrad student interested in astronomy (or know one) wanting to do a paid summer research experience this year? Here are some slides I made up for my class detailing REU programs! (both NSF and not-NSF funded, including stuff abroad and for non-US citizens)
🔭🧪🎢
🔭🧪🎢
January 16, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Astronomer here! Are you an undergrad student interested in astronomy (or know one) wanting to do a paid summer research experience this year? Here are some slides I made up for my class detailing REU programs! (both NSF and not-NSF funded, including stuff abroad and for non-US citizens)
🔭🧪🎢
🔭🧪🎢
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
PSI's Kirby Runyon spoke with the hosts of What The If podcast about his citizen science project to map ancient impact melt flows on the Moon, which he co-leads with PSI's Pamela Gay.
Listen here! buff.ly/mFe08of
Listen here! buff.ly/mFe08of
CITIZEN Science -- With Kirby Runyon! — WHAT THE IF?
Map ancient lava flows on the moon from your couch and help solve mysteries billions of years old.
whattheif.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:11 PM
PSI's Kirby Runyon spoke with the hosts of What The If podcast about his citizen science project to map ancient impact melt flows on the Moon, which he co-leads with PSI's Pamela Gay.
Listen here! buff.ly/mFe08of
Listen here! buff.ly/mFe08of
Microsoft: "Hey we nerfed Powershell ISE a bit cause it wasn't a paid product. Use Visual Studio Code instead! It's a WAY better tool with Copilot integrations to help you write code more efficiently!"
Me: "Okay fine. Run this script of a couple dozen lines. "
VS Code: "...like now?"
Me: "FFS. "
Me: "Okay fine. Run this script of a couple dozen lines. "
VS Code: "...like now?"
Me: "FFS. "
a sign that says one eternity later on a wall
ALT: a sign that says one eternity later on a wall
media.tenor.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:16 AM
Microsoft: "Hey we nerfed Powershell ISE a bit cause it wasn't a paid product. Use Visual Studio Code instead! It's a WAY better tool with Copilot integrations to help you write code more efficiently!"
Me: "Okay fine. Run this script of a couple dozen lines. "
VS Code: "...like now?"
Me: "FFS. "
Me: "Okay fine. Run this script of a couple dozen lines. "
VS Code: "...like now?"
Me: "FFS. "
Sunday night we got some decent seeing while Jupiter was near opposition, so broke out the Edge 9.25 and started up OBS so I could stream this with the community on Twitch. Really happy with the result.
January 13, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Sunday night we got some decent seeing while Jupiter was near opposition, so broke out the Edge 9.25 and started up OBS so I could stream this with the community on Twitch. Really happy with the result.
We are not a serious people. This is insane.
North Dakota law lists fake critical minerals based on coal lawyers’ names
A landmark North Dakota law approved last year accidentally lumped in two fake names in a list of critical minerals that appear to be inspired by coal company lawyers who
bismarcktribune.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:54 AM
We are not a serious people. This is insane.
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
The explosion of popularity of LLMs — and the trust people put in them — indicates that the claimed death of expertise is overblown: people really do want (perceived) expertise. They just don’t like the experts. They want experts who will agree with their priors, and chatbots are the perfect vehicle
He put his complete trust in a chat bot that turned him into a savage murderer.
Disturbing Messages Show ChatGPT Encouraging a Murder, Lawsuit Alleges
A lawsuit against OpenAI reveals the chilling ChatGPT messages that drove a middle aged man to kill his 83-year-old mother.
trib.al
January 4, 2026 at 2:49 PM
The explosion of popularity of LLMs — and the trust people put in them — indicates that the claimed death of expertise is overblown: people really do want (perceived) expertise. They just don’t like the experts. They want experts who will agree with their priors, and chatbots are the perfect vehicle
Someone let Elon know I’ve got a hell of a deal on a new COPV for Starship! 95% sure this one wasn’t dropped yet. 🤭
December 31, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Someone let Elon know I’ve got a hell of a deal on a new COPV for Starship! 95% sure this one wasn’t dropped yet. 🤭
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
@dylanodonnell.bsky.social just finished catching the latest video. So you're saying there's a chance? #NeverTellMeTheOdds
a man with a very short haircut is smiling and looking at the camera .
ALT: a man with a very short haircut is smiling and looking at the camera .
media.tenor.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:31 AM
@dylanodonnell.bsky.social just finished catching the latest video. So you're saying there's a chance? #NeverTellMeTheOdds
The amount of moronic takes I've seen in reaction to the sudden departure of Tory Bruno from ULA is infuriating for me. I shouldn't be so surprised, but man oh man some of the stupidest things are said loudly and confidently online.
a man in a tuxedo is standing next to another man .
ALT: a man in a tuxedo is standing next to another man .
media.tenor.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:56 AM
The amount of moronic takes I've seen in reaction to the sudden departure of Tory Bruno from ULA is infuriating for me. I shouldn't be so surprised, but man oh man some of the stupidest things are said loudly and confidently online.
This is amazing.
Date: Today (14th Dec) in 1972
Mission: Apollo 17
Vehicle: Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)
Driver: Gene Cernan (pictured)
Passenger: Jack Schmitt
Location: Taurus-Littrow Valley, the Moon
Mission: Apollo 17
Vehicle: Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)
Driver: Gene Cernan (pictured)
Passenger: Jack Schmitt
Location: Taurus-Littrow Valley, the Moon
December 14, 2025 at 11:35 AM
This is amazing.
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
We are about to move into hour 18 of the hangout-a-thon.
Funding levels are far below were it has been in past years, but this is expected. Life is hard and money is tight. Thank you for hanging out with us and learning what it is we do.
Funding levels are far below were it has been in past years, but this is expected. Life is hard and money is tight. Thank you for hanging out with us and learning what it is we do.
December 7, 2025 at 6:58 PM
We are about to move into hour 18 of the hangout-a-thon.
Funding levels are far below were it has been in past years, but this is expected. Life is hard and money is tight. Thank you for hanging out with us and learning what it is we do.
Funding levels are far below were it has been in past years, but this is expected. Life is hard and money is tight. Thank you for hanging out with us and learning what it is we do.
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
I've put my thread from yesterday, with additional information, into this post.
December 7, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I've put my thread from yesterday, with additional information, into this post.
Tried reporting a page on Facebook that was obviously pushing anti-semitic propaganda that the Meta algorithm decided to push into my feed multiple times. It went as well as you’d expect as apparently that’s not against community standards apparently. Thanks Zuckerberg!
November 26, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Tried reporting a page on Facebook that was obviously pushing anti-semitic propaganda that the Meta algorithm decided to push into my feed multiple times. It went as well as you’d expect as apparently that’s not against community standards apparently. Thanks Zuckerberg!
Glad to see Starship V3 already to a great reassuring start. Maybe the L in HLS stand for Liability?
a cartoon character says to shreds you say while talking on a cell phone
ALT: a cartoon character says to shreds you say while talking on a cell phone
media.tenor.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Glad to see Starship V3 already to a great reassuring start. Maybe the L in HLS stand for Liability?
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
New York millionaires: threatening to flee the city since 2009
November 7, 2025 at 9:36 PM
New York millionaires: threatening to flee the city since 2009
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
The final day of #SaveTheVaquita Week is here!
Check out these amazing streamers (Mountain Time):
@infectiouskarma.bsky.social @ 10
MaryBeary1994 @ 12
@lauratheexplaura.bsky.social @ 1
@kpassionate.bsky.social @ 6:30
@marinebiologale.bsky.social @ 6:30
Let's spread the word and save the vaquita!
Check out these amazing streamers (Mountain Time):
@infectiouskarma.bsky.social @ 10
MaryBeary1994 @ 12
@lauratheexplaura.bsky.social @ 1
@kpassionate.bsky.social @ 6:30
@marinebiologale.bsky.social @ 6:30
Let's spread the word and save the vaquita!
November 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The final day of #SaveTheVaquita Week is here!
Check out these amazing streamers (Mountain Time):
@infectiouskarma.bsky.social @ 10
MaryBeary1994 @ 12
@lauratheexplaura.bsky.social @ 1
@kpassionate.bsky.social @ 6:30
@marinebiologale.bsky.social @ 6:30
Let's spread the word and save the vaquita!
Check out these amazing streamers (Mountain Time):
@infectiouskarma.bsky.social @ 10
MaryBeary1994 @ 12
@lauratheexplaura.bsky.social @ 1
@kpassionate.bsky.social @ 6:30
@marinebiologale.bsky.social @ 6:30
Let's spread the word and save the vaquita!
Reposted by Misadventures In Astro
In physics, we differentiate between kinematics (describing the motion of objects) and dynamics (*explaining* the motion). Political analysis needs to be focusing on dynamics, not kinematics.
Here's where we get into serious "derp" territory.
"Voters perceptions of the two parties have changed since 2012." (True)
But *why* have the perceptions changed? Is it because of policy stances, or because of massive changes in the media system?
"Voters perceptions of the two parties have changed since 2012." (True)
But *why* have the perceptions changed? Is it because of policy stances, or because of massive changes in the media system?
October 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
In physics, we differentiate between kinematics (describing the motion of objects) and dynamics (*explaining* the motion). Political analysis needs to be focusing on dynamics, not kinematics.