Michael Brown
@mjibrown.bsky.social
Astronomer, Monash academic, Conversation writer, cycling commuter or mamil.
https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/michael-brown
https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/michael-brown
Pinned
Michael Brown
@mjibrown.bsky.social
· Oct 9
A US startup plans to deliver ‘sunlight on demand’ after dark. Can it work – and would we want it to?
Satellites beaming sunlight down to Earth sound like science fiction – and they have astronomers very worried.
theconversation.com
A US tech startup is proposing to use mirrors in space to power solar farms on Earth at night. Is this even feasible? And what are the light pollution dangers?
Myself and @mattkenworthy.bsky.social have crunched the numbers for The Conversation.
theconversation.com/a-us-startup...
Myself and @mattkenworthy.bsky.social have crunched the numbers for The Conversation.
theconversation.com/a-us-startup...
“It was coming in almost horizontally, and coming in pretty slowly compared to, say, a meteor, which gave people plenty of time to get their mobile phone out and get some footage and perhaps say profanities as the thing came in,” he [Michael Brown] said.
Elon Musk’s space junk blazes across Victorian skies
Scientists say falling space junk will become more common with the increase in satellite launches in recent years.
www.smh.com.au
February 4, 2026 at 12:39 AM
“It was coming in almost horizontally, and coming in pretty slowly compared to, say, a meteor, which gave people plenty of time to get their mobile phone out and get some footage and perhaps say profanities as the thing came in,” he [Michael Brown] said.
When I lived in America during the 2000s, it was weird seeing "shock and awe" happen in Iraq.
In particular, media and government perceptions of how Iraqis would see it seemed (to me at least) to be at odds with "how would you feel if it happened to you?" - not that the latter was even considered.
In particular, media and government perceptions of how Iraqis would see it seemed (to me at least) to be at odds with "how would you feel if it happened to you?" - not that the latter was even considered.
Another @sarahjeong.bsky.social banger on how ICE is tear-gassing children and families turning out to protest, which is only serving to radicalize people even more.
'When Broeker had first been tear gassed, she had been terrified. But the fear has since faded, leaving only rage.'
'When Broeker had first been tear gassed, she had been terrified. But the fear has since faded, leaving only rage.'
ICE is afraid of children protesting
“Next time, I’ll be back with a gas mask.”
www.theverge.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:16 AM
When I lived in America during the 2000s, it was weird seeing "shock and awe" happen in Iraq.
In particular, media and government perceptions of how Iraqis would see it seemed (to me at least) to be at odds with "how would you feel if it happened to you?" - not that the latter was even considered.
In particular, media and government perceptions of how Iraqis would see it seemed (to me at least) to be at odds with "how would you feel if it happened to you?" - not that the latter was even considered.
Not the worst idea for a video game.
February 3, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Not the worst idea for a video game.
Reposted by Michael Brown
If you’re calling in bomb threats and intimidating schools in response to a 5yo with a bunny hat, you’re probably too evil and dense to even realize you are the baddies.
Columbia Heights (Liam's school district) cancelled school today because of a credible bomb threat at Liam's elementary and multiple ICE vehicles parking in the high school staff parking lot at 6:15am.
February 2, 2026 at 1:35 PM
If you’re calling in bomb threats and intimidating schools in response to a 5yo with a bunny hat, you’re probably too evil and dense to even realize you are the baddies.
I was on Channel 7 news earlier today chatting about this morning’s reentry of a Starlink satellite, which was seen by thousands across Victoria.
Also discussed how adding a million satellites would probably be a very bad idea.
youtu.be/hC8Tw1FFhUc
Also discussed how adding a million satellites would probably be a very bad idea.
youtu.be/hC8Tw1FFhUc
youtu.be
February 3, 2026 at 11:08 AM
I was on Channel 7 news earlier today chatting about this morning’s reentry of a Starlink satellite, which was seen by thousands across Victoria.
Also discussed how adding a million satellites would probably be a very bad idea.
youtu.be/hC8Tw1FFhUc
Also discussed how adding a million satellites would probably be a very bad idea.
youtu.be/hC8Tw1FFhUc
Reposted by Michael Brown
Absolutely enormous sunspot on the surface of the Sun that is visible with eclipse glasses or a solar filter - no telescope required. Just took a look at it myself.
Could be interesting when it is directed more towards Earth later this week.
www.spaceweather.com
Could be interesting when it is directed more towards Earth later this week.
www.spaceweather.com
SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids
www.spaceweather.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Absolutely enormous sunspot on the surface of the Sun that is visible with eclipse glasses or a solar filter - no telescope required. Just took a look at it myself.
Could be interesting when it is directed more towards Earth later this week.
www.spaceweather.com
Could be interesting when it is directed more towards Earth later this week.
www.spaceweather.com
AFR opinion headline with a whole lot of wrong.
February 3, 2026 at 6:01 AM
AFR opinion headline with a whole lot of wrong.
Reminded of superb astronomer who in his youth tipped cows (but I don’t know how often).
Need more movies with scientists with deep southern redneck drawls and flawless mastery of latin related to their specialty.
February 3, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Reminded of superb astronomer who in his youth tipped cows (but I don’t know how often).
Reposted by Michael Brown
Reposted by Michael Brown
Harvard professor Robert Trivers tried to get Jeffrey Epstein in touch with Norman Finkelstein. Instead of accepting, Norman sent a reply calling Alan Dershowitz a pedophile rapist and saying Trivers should be ashamed for defending them, and both should be strangled instead
February 2, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Harvard professor Robert Trivers tried to get Jeffrey Epstein in touch with Norman Finkelstein. Instead of accepting, Norman sent a reply calling Alan Dershowitz a pedophile rapist and saying Trivers should be ashamed for defending them, and both should be strangled instead
Starlink 5103 reentry giving me a good opportunity to discuss with the media that increasing the number of satellites by a factor of x30 to x100 is probably a very bad idea.
February 3, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Starlink 5103 reentry giving me a good opportunity to discuss with the media that increasing the number of satellites by a factor of x30 to x100 is probably a very bad idea.
Woken up this morning by ABC radio seeking comment on a reentry seen across Victoria at 5:27am. Starlink 5103 coming down after just 4 years in orbit. The increasing number of satellite launches and the short lifetimes of some of these satellites is resulting in reentries becoming more common.
'Massive, bright' light in Victorian skies likely to be space debris
Keen observers reported a "massive, bright orange meteor" streaking across the sky, but one astronomer says it was likely to be space debris from a Starlink satellite.
www.abc.net.au
February 2, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Woken up this morning by ABC radio seeking comment on a reentry seen across Victoria at 5:27am. Starlink 5103 coming down after just 4 years in orbit. The increasing number of satellite launches and the short lifetimes of some of these satellites is resulting in reentries becoming more common.
Reposted by Michael Brown
Final CSpOC TIP confirms it: 18:28 +- 1 m UTC near 39.9 S, 144.5 E
February 2, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Final CSpOC TIP confirms it: 18:28 +- 1 m UTC near 39.9 S, 144.5 E
Reposted by Michael Brown
From FB regarding Pizza Luce in Minnesota.
I like it when I can do something to help people displaced by ICE and then after I do that thing I get to eat a pizza.
I like it when I can do something to help people displaced by ICE and then after I do that thing I get to eat a pizza.
February 2, 2026 at 6:06 PM
From FB regarding Pizza Luce in Minnesota.
I like it when I can do something to help people displaced by ICE and then after I do that thing I get to eat a pizza.
I like it when I can do something to help people displaced by ICE and then after I do that thing I get to eat a pizza.
While the people who become ICE agents has got a lot of attention, who would sign up to be ICE HR?
ICE Employees Vent on Reddit, Saying They're Not Getting Paid and Still No Insurance Despite Promises
Staff claim promised bonuses and insurance have failed to materialise, with some reporting they cannot afford medical care for sick children
www.ibtimes.co.uk/ice-employee...
Staff claim promised bonuses and insurance have failed to materialise, with some reporting they cannot afford medical care for sick children
www.ibtimes.co.uk/ice-employee...
ICE employees on Reddit complain about late salaries and missing insurance, despite promises made upon hiring
ICE employees have reported delayed pay and missing health insurance on Reddit, while critics question how staff tolerate dangerous duties for little or no compensation.
www.ibtimes.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 10:09 PM
While the people who become ICE agents has got a lot of attention, who would sign up to be ICE HR?
How’s that job at the Department of Face Eating Leopards going?
ICE Employees Vent on Reddit, Saying They're Not Getting Paid and Still No Insurance Despite Promises
Staff claim promised bonuses and insurance have failed to materialise, with some reporting they cannot afford medical care for sick children
www.ibtimes.co.uk/ice-employee...
Staff claim promised bonuses and insurance have failed to materialise, with some reporting they cannot afford medical care for sick children
www.ibtimes.co.uk/ice-employee...
ICE employees on Reddit complain about late salaries and missing insurance, despite promises made upon hiring
ICE employees have reported delayed pay and missing health insurance on Reddit, while critics question how staff tolerate dangerous duties for little or no compensation.
www.ibtimes.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 10:07 PM
How’s that job at the Department of Face Eating Leopards going?
Reposted by Michael Brown
This is likely the reentry of Starlink-5103. The position matches (see map, position for 18:27 UTC) and it is in the current CSpOC TIP window (16:31 - 22:31 UTC)
February 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
This is likely the reentry of Starlink-5103. The position matches (see map, position for 18:27 UTC) and it is in the current CSpOC TIP window (16:31 - 22:31 UTC)
Reposted by Michael Brown
Starlink-5103 is a match in both position and being in the current TIP window
February 2, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Starlink-5103 is a match in both position and being in the current TIP window
Space junk reentry over Victoria about an hour or so ago - 5:27 local time (2026-02-02 18:27 UTC) @marcolangbroek.bsky.social @planet4589.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Space junk reentry over Victoria about an hour or so ago - 5:27 local time (2026-02-02 18:27 UTC) @marcolangbroek.bsky.social @planet4589.bsky.social
“SWPC forecasters expect more exciting activity from this region in the coming days!”
www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/update-...
www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/update-...
UPDATE! An X8.1 (Strong) flare from Region 4366 | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center
www.swpc.noaa.gov
February 2, 2026 at 1:37 PM
“SWPC forecasters expect more exciting activity from this region in the coming days!”
www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/update-...
www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/update-...
This basically nails Reflect Orbital’s modus operandi.
^^ The fact that they don't make any technical or financial sense, but have the vague aesthetics of something that could work, is one of the core design features of any techno-solutionist greenwashing
bsky.app/profile/keta...
bsky.app/profile/keta...
The perfect greenwashing tool
- Actually exists somewhere else
- Expensive enough to justify a shitload of subsidies
- Lengthy enough in timeline to always be 'around the corner' perpetually
- Actually exists somewhere else
- Expensive enough to justify a shitload of subsidies
- Lengthy enough in timeline to always be 'around the corner' perpetually
February 2, 2026 at 10:28 AM
This basically nails Reflect Orbital’s modus operandi.
Reposted by Michael Brown
Stunned to discover that this guy is an antisemite
February 1, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Stunned to discover that this guy is an antisemite
New academic email signature quote?
“Anyway, whatever you decide, here are my bank details.”
“Anyway, whatever you decide, here are my bank details.”
February 1, 2026 at 3:35 AM
New academic email signature quote?
“Anyway, whatever you decide, here are my bank details.”
“Anyway, whatever you decide, here are my bank details.”
Reposted by Michael Brown
This was a peaceful bike ride today in Portland, Oregon. And they ended up tear gassing kids.
February 1, 2026 at 3:29 AM
This was a peaceful bike ride today in Portland, Oregon. And they ended up tear gassing kids.