Phil Plait
@philplait.bsky.social
Bad Astronomer (formerly @BadAstronomer), SciCommer, Dork. Crash Course Astronomy guy. He/him. Newsletter: badastronomy.beehiiv.com
I'm self-employed so my opinions do in fact represent my company's.
I'm self-employed so my opinions do in fact represent my company's.
Pinned
Phil Plait
@philplait.bsky.social
· Oct 10
Pinned post:
Wanna know where all my stuff is? about.me/philplait
My book Under Alien Skies: underalienskies.com
My newsletter (Monday issues are free!): badastronomy.beehiiv.com
My fave post here on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/phil...
Wanna know where all my stuff is? about.me/philplait
My book Under Alien Skies: underalienskies.com
My newsletter (Monday issues are free!): badastronomy.beehiiv.com
My fave post here on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/phil...
I know it's not the point to this post, but I keep wondering why these ICE goons don't bring an extra thug to take the car under civil asset forfeiture law. It's a thin excuse, but geez, it's not like these assholes are obeying the law anyway.
Working in 2026 is sending an email to your client that you are an hour late delivering something because you had to figure out what to do with the running, unlocked car sitting in the middle of the street after the ethnic cleansing squad kidnapped somebody.
February 5, 2026 at 10:12 PM
I know it's not the point to this post, but I keep wondering why these ICE goons don't bring an extra thug to take the car under civil asset forfeiture law. It's a thin excuse, but geez, it's not like these assholes are obeying the law anyway.
Reposted by Phil Plait
Thread.
This is only related in a sideways manner, but: the story of any small slice of humanity is the story of humanity, just boiled down and distilled. So:
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
February 5, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Thread.
<Don'tSayThisIsCoolDon'tSayThisIsCoolDon'tSayThisIsCoolDon'tSayThisIsCool> D'oh!
Ooh my latest article for @spectrum.ieee.org has been published! It's on a refrigerant-free freezer, developed by researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) 👩🔬🧪⚛️
spectrum.ieee.org/subzero-elas...
spectrum.ieee.org/subzero-elas...
Researchers Achieve Sub-Zero Cooling Without Harmful Refrigerants
A new elastocaloric device can freeze water using solid-state tech, offering a greener cooling solution.
spectrum.ieee.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:56 PM
<Don'tSayThisIsCoolDon'tSayThisIsCoolDon'tSayThisIsCoolDon'tSayThisIsCool> D'oh!
Holy moly.
Okay, you guys wanted some fun tea on Richard Dawkins? Here you go: one reason he may have gotten super duper angry about me talking about misogyny in atheism
skepchick.org/2026/02/epst...
skepchick.org/2026/02/epst...
Epstein Files Reveal How Pathetic Richard Dawkins & Other Men Are
Transcript: Well, it happened again. I’m mentioned in the Epstein files. Again. You probably saw my first video on this topic and you came away thinking that I’ve spent the past decade being as awe…
skepchick.org
February 5, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Holy moly.
Reposted by Phil Plait
Super interesting 🧵 on darkness and how we conceive of it (both legally and culturally). 🔭🧪
There’s an interesting lawsuit out of Connecticut I’ve been following that rests on the question of whether darkness — yes, darkness, the primordial Erebus himself— is a natural resource. Here’s why that’s potentially a big deal.
February 5, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Super interesting 🧵 on darkness and how we conceive of it (both legally and culturally). 🔭🧪
There's only one planet in our solar system Hubble has never observed. But there's another that *technically* it shouldn't, but has. Multiple times!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/the-most-d...
[This article is for my paid subscribers, who literally keep me alive. Thanks! I like being alive.]
🔭 🧪
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/the-most-d...
[This article is for my paid subscribers, who literally keep me alive. Thanks! I like being alive.]
🔭 🧪
The most difficult planet Hubble’s ever seen
In 1995 it slewed almost too close to the Sun
badastronomy.beehiiv.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:50 PM
There's only one planet in our solar system Hubble has never observed. But there's another that *technically* it shouldn't, but has. Multiple times!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/the-most-d...
[This article is for my paid subscribers, who literally keep me alive. Thanks! I like being alive.]
🔭 🧪
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/the-most-d...
[This article is for my paid subscribers, who literally keep me alive. Thanks! I like being alive.]
🔭 🧪
Gotta say, so far I'm really happy I voted for her.
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now. - Bolts
Abigail Spanberger left the 287(g) program, which empowered state law enforcement to detain immigrants. Will Democrats also bar local police and sheriffs from the program?
boltsmag.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Gotta say, so far I'm really happy I voted for her.
I know this is silly, but I used to deliver the Washington Post when I was a kid (for four years or more) and I sent dozens of entries to The Style Invitational, placing a few times and winning once. So for me, this feels personal. I can't imagine what the journalists are feeling right now.
February 4, 2026 at 10:13 PM
I know this is silly, but I used to deliver the Washington Post when I was a kid (for four years or more) and I sent dozens of entries to The Style Invitational, placing a few times and winning once. So for me, this feels personal. I can't imagine what the journalists are feeling right now.
OMG
D...
D...
Dr.
Dr I-
Dr I am-
Dr I am sad...
Dr I am sad. Aid me?
Dr I am sad. Aid me? "See clown!"
Dr I am sad. Aid me? "See clown!" That clown...is me!
- The Pagliacci Sequence
D...
Dr.
Dr I-
Dr I am-
Dr I am sad...
Dr I am sad. Aid me?
Dr I am sad. Aid me? "See clown!"
Dr I am sad. Aid me? "See clown!" That clown...is me!
- The Pagliacci Sequence
February 4, 2026 at 7:04 PM
OMG
Reposted by Phil Plait
The Washington Post dies in broad daylight.
February 4, 2026 at 4:40 PM
The Washington Post dies in broad daylight.
Watching TV, it's amazing how many women love interest characters are referred to as "the girl". Yet when media talk about the victims of powerful pedophiles it's always "underage women". Weird.
February 4, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Watching TV, it's amazing how many women love interest characters are referred to as "the girl". Yet when media talk about the victims of powerful pedophiles it's always "underage women". Weird.
Maybe the million and oneth study will be the one that convinces people
"By the end of the two-year period, 94% of participants reported they were housed."
A million pilot programs show the same thing: when people are given enough money to afford housing, homelessness ends.
Other supports matter, but housing comes first. Not policing. Not moralizing. Homes.
A million pilot programs show the same thing: when people are given enough money to afford housing, homelessness ends.
Other supports matter, but housing comes first. Not policing. Not moralizing. Homes.
Homeless Oregon youth got $1,000 a month for two years. Most found housing after • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon is the second of its kind in the nation to implement the direct cash transfer program after New York City.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Maybe the million and oneth study will be the one that convinces people
Reposted by Phil Plait
🔭 Spiral Galaxy NGC 1512: Wide Field
Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel Stern
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26020...
Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel Stern
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26020...
February 4, 2026 at 8:00 AM
🔭 Spiral Galaxy NGC 1512: Wide Field
Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel Stern
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26020...
Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel Stern
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26020...
Reposted by Phil Plait
Citizens in Minnesota stand in the freezing cold and confront armed thugs, while white house press people loitering in heated comfort won't say one fucking word in defiance of an elderly, hate-spewing, diaper-shitting lard ass. Cowards, all of them.
KAITLAN COLLINS: What would say to Epstein survivo---
TRUMP: You are so bad. You are the worst report. No wonder CNN has no ratings. She's a young woman. I don't think I've ever seen you smile. They should be ashamed of you.
TRUMP: You are so bad. You are the worst report. No wonder CNN has no ratings. She's a young woman. I don't think I've ever seen you smile. They should be ashamed of you.
February 4, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Citizens in Minnesota stand in the freezing cold and confront armed thugs, while white house press people loitering in heated comfort won't say one fucking word in defiance of an elderly, hate-spewing, diaper-shitting lard ass. Cowards, all of them.
JFC folks drinking raw milk is Russian roulette except only one chamber is empty. You might as well drink wood alcohol. DON'T DO IT.
“Health officials in New Mexico are warning against consuming raw dairy products after a newborn baby in the state died from a listeria infection that they say was likely contracted when the baby's mother drank raw milk during pregnancy.” @jackiantonovich.bsky.social
New Mexico warns against consuming raw milk after newborn dies from listeria
While the New Mexico Department of Health said it cannot pinpoint the baby's exact cause of death, officials believe it could have been linked to the mother drinking raw milk during pregnancy.
www.nbcnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:44 AM
JFC folks drinking raw milk is Russian roulette except only one chamber is empty. You might as well drink wood alcohol. DON'T DO IT.
Visualize understanding the 4th Amendment.
February 3, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Visualize understanding the 4th Amendment.
<toot toot>
CC Astronomy first went live just over *11 years ago*. Dang. It has over 85 million views total now, and while it's getting out of date in some ways, I just linked to it in a newsletter article about how stars die because some things don't change rapidly.
Still. Dang.
CC Astronomy first went live just over *11 years ago*. Dang. It has over 85 million views total now, and while it's getting out of date in some ways, I just linked to it in a newsletter article about how stars die because some things don't change rapidly.
Still. Dang.
My kid, who is going into high school and wants to pursue astrophysics, is getting a head start with @philplait.bsky.social's Crash Course series. It's wild that they're watching YouTube videos of the same guy I was reading 20 years ago.
February 3, 2026 at 8:42 PM
<toot toot>
CC Astronomy first went live just over *11 years ago*. Dang. It has over 85 million views total now, and while it's getting out of date in some ways, I just linked to it in a newsletter article about how stars die because some things don't change rapidly.
Still. Dang.
CC Astronomy first went live just over *11 years ago*. Dang. It has over 85 million views total now, and while it's getting out of date in some ways, I just linked to it in a newsletter article about how stars die because some things don't change rapidly.
Still. Dang.
Reposted by Phil Plait
So confusing they're always fine with dog whistles
February 3, 2026 at 4:19 PM
So confusing they're always fine with dog whistles
This kind of hypocrisy is particularly enraging to me. ICE agents are literally pointing guns in protestors' faces and summarily executing innocent people, but the right-wingers whine about whistles.
Right-wing media figures are asserting that whistles should be “considered a violent weapon” and that their use is "inteference" with immigration enforcement operations or even “assault.”
Right-wing media figures are furious at activists for using whistles during ICE activity
Right-wing media figures are lashing out at community members in Minnesota for using whistles to alert others of federal immigration enforcement in the area, asserting that whistles should be “conside...
www.mediamatters.org
February 3, 2026 at 4:14 PM
This kind of hypocrisy is particularly enraging to me. ICE agents are literally pointing guns in protestors' faces and summarily executing innocent people, but the right-wingers whine about whistles.
Premium subbies to my newsletter can read about how JWST might — MIGHT — be able to detect rings around an exoplanet! It's actually pretty nifty.
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/can-we-det...
🧪 🔭
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/can-we-det...
🧪 🔭
Can we detect rings around exoplanets?
Also, more evidence that Mercury may not be as dead as we thought
badastronomy.beehiiv.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Premium subbies to my newsletter can read about how JWST might — MIGHT — be able to detect rings around an exoplanet! It's actually pretty nifty.
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/can-we-det...
🧪 🔭
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/can-we-det...
🧪 🔭
This is legit pretty wild. Amazing idea!
Researchers mimicked the air-trapping tricks of diving bell spiders to create aluminum that stays afloat—even when punctured
Unsinkable metal discovery could build safer ships and harvest wave energy
Researchers mimicked the air-trapping tricks of diving bell spiders to create aluminum that stays afloat—even when punctured
www.scientificamerican.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM
This is legit pretty wild. Amazing idea!
Today I have achieved a personal best: I typed "magnetic" as "magentic" FOUR TIMES in a single paragraph. I may take the rest of the day off.
February 3, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Today I have achieved a personal best: I typed "magnetic" as "magentic" FOUR TIMES in a single paragraph. I may take the rest of the day off.
Reposted by Phil Plait
European Scientists who said NO to Epstein-funding are the heroines of this hour🦸♀️
They show: It was your choice to SAY NO to Epstein's $ as scientist- you just had to have ethics & a spine
Kudos to Physicist IVETTE FUENTES who said NO
She was working at @quantumunivie.bsky.social @univie.ac.at
They show: It was your choice to SAY NO to Epstein's $ as scientist- you just had to have ethics & a spine
Kudos to Physicist IVETTE FUENTES who said NO
She was working at @quantumunivie.bsky.social @univie.ac.at
February 2, 2026 at 9:20 PM
European Scientists who said NO to Epstein-funding are the heroines of this hour🦸♀️
They show: It was your choice to SAY NO to Epstein's $ as scientist- you just had to have ethics & a spine
Kudos to Physicist IVETTE FUENTES who said NO
She was working at @quantumunivie.bsky.social @univie.ac.at
They show: It was your choice to SAY NO to Epstein's $ as scientist- you just had to have ethics & a spine
Kudos to Physicist IVETTE FUENTES who said NO
She was working at @quantumunivie.bsky.social @univie.ac.at
Please help keep these men off the streets.
Extry, Extry!
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
‘Mystery Science Theater 3000’: Rifftrax, Shout! Studios Team for New Episodes of Cult Classic Series (EXCLUSIVE)
RiffTrax and Shout! Studios have teamed to produce four new episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 with Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy
variety.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Please help keep these men off the streets.
Also in this issue: I dumped Tiktok and deleted my account, because billionaires suck.
I do love a wild galaxy collision! And this one has a fun history…
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/a-galaxy-c...
🔭 🧪
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/a-galaxy-c...
🔭 🧪
A galaxy collision got me digging, Goodbye Tiktok, Project for Awesome
Sometimes mistakes lead to cool astronomy stuff.
badastronomy.beehiiv.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Also in this issue: I dumped Tiktok and deleted my account, because billionaires suck.