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...
Kowtowing to this President means you get some very short-term gain only to be stuck groveling before him repeatedly until he betrays you anyway and takes away what you begged for. Better to defy early and defy often.
MERE HOURS after the President of the United States posted an AI video of the Obama’s as monkeys, the Science Tech Action Committee (led by @aaas.org and @researchamerica.bsky.social) posted a THANK YOU to TRUMP for SIGNING THE BUDGET.
Shot. Chaser.
sciencetechaction.org/aboutus/
Shot. Chaser.
sciencetechaction.org/aboutus/
February 7, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Kowtowing to this President means you get some very short-term gain only to be stuck groveling before him repeatedly until he betrays you anyway and takes away what you begged for. Better to defy early and defy often.
Were they saying "boo" or "we have bootiful couches"?
JD Vance should be booed everywhere he goes for the rest of his life.
February 6, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Were they saying "boo" or "we have bootiful couches"?
Oh, very much this.
Here’s a message to Republican lawmakers who enable President Donald Trump and every American who still supports him: You own the deeply racist video he posted to his social media account in the late-night hours of Feb. 5.
My column on the complicity of silence:a
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
My column on the complicity of silence:a
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Republicans, you own Trump's racist video about the Obamas | Opinion
Republicans own the deeply racist video President Donald Trump posted to his social media account in the late-night hours of Feb. 5.
www.usatoday.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Oh, very much this.
Don't use AI! You'll shoot your eye out!
The fact that AI boosters always go to “but art is EXPENSIVE” is telling.
Most people started with crayons, lined school paper, cheap pencils, ballpoint pen, the back of junk mail and misprinted pages.
Art supplies can be outrageous but you can make art with literal trash
Most people started with crayons, lined school paper, cheap pencils, ballpoint pen, the back of junk mail and misprinted pages.
Art supplies can be outrageous but you can make art with literal trash
"I need AI to make art, human art is only for the rich and privileged-"
February 6, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Don't use AI! You'll shoot your eye out!
And this, by @danvergano.bsky.social
Jeffrey Epstein aggressively sought access to publishers, mentions of Scientific American and other media in Department of Justice files show
Epstein files show a complicated relationship with science and journalism
Jeffrey Epstein aggressively sought access to publishers, mentions of Scientific American and other media in Department of Justice files show
www.scientificamerican.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:31 PM
And this, by @danvergano.bsky.social
I suspect there's still a lot more to learn here. It's awful, but science itself shows us not to flinch in the face of reality. Be horrified, yes, but also be honest about the impact.
Sorry for the preview pic in your feed, but we've posted a thoughtful story by @dangaristo.bsky.social that delves into the tangled web of relationships between Jeffrey Epstein and various scientists: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Epstein files reveal deeper ties to scientists than previously known
Latest batch of documents show researchers consulting the financier and sex offender on publications, visas and more.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:30 PM
I suspect there's still a lot more to learn here. It's awful, but science itself shows us not to flinch in the face of reality. Be horrified, yes, but also be honest about the impact.
My wife kindly left me one last serving of chocolate cake.
February 6, 2026 at 6:19 PM
My wife kindly left me one last serving of chocolate cake.
Reposted by Phil Plait
1. It was not an accident.
2. It was not a staffer.
3. While the president may have dementia his racism is not due to dementia.
4. He isn’t sorry. He means every racist thought he shares.
5. His base agrees with him.
6. He will do it again.
7. No one in power will hold him accountable.
2. It was not a staffer.
3. While the president may have dementia his racism is not due to dementia.
4. He isn’t sorry. He means every racist thought he shares.
5. His base agrees with him.
6. He will do it again.
7. No one in power will hold him accountable.
February 6, 2026 at 5:42 PM
1. It was not an accident.
2. It was not a staffer.
3. While the president may have dementia his racism is not due to dementia.
4. He isn’t sorry. He means every racist thought he shares.
5. His base agrees with him.
6. He will do it again.
7. No one in power will hold him accountable.
2. It was not a staffer.
3. While the president may have dementia his racism is not due to dementia.
4. He isn’t sorry. He means every racist thought he shares.
5. His base agrees with him.
6. He will do it again.
7. No one in power will hold him accountable.
The fun thing about telling the truth is you don't have to constantly change your story.
New on MS NOW:
According to a White House official: "A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down."
Just hours ago, Karoline Leavitt defended the racist post. Now it's been taken down.
According to a White House official: "A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down."
Just hours ago, Karoline Leavitt defended the racist post. Now it's been taken down.
A screenshot from a video posted on Trump's Truth Social account: truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
February 6, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The fun thing about telling the truth is you don't have to constantly change your story.
I would like to invite the creator of this march to a game of poker, and insist that he bring a lot of cash. Also, he may be interested in purchasing a bridge I own, and participating in my VC-supported MLM startup.
February 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I would like to invite the creator of this march to a game of poker, and insist that he bring a lot of cash. Also, he may be interested in purchasing a bridge I own, and participating in my VC-supported MLM startup.
Interesting article on the search for Luna 9, a Soviet lunar lander that was the first human-made object to touch down on another celestial body, and returned the very first images, too.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/wher...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/wher...
Have we solved the mystery of a long-lost Soviet spacecraft, Luna 9?
Scientists have spent decades searching for the final resting place of Luna 9, the first spacecraft to soft-land on the moon. Now they’re on the cusp of finding it
www.scientificamerican.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Interesting article on the search for Luna 9, a Soviet lunar lander that was the first human-made object to touch down on another celestial body, and returned the very first images, too.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/wher...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/wher...
Spain: doing it right.
Why Spain is breaking the mold in Europe -
choosing regularisation instead of MAGA mass deportations!!
Two reasons: morality & pragmatism.
🙏Spain showing us another, better way is possible www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/o...
choosing regularisation instead of MAGA mass deportations!!
Two reasons: morality & pragmatism.
🙏Spain showing us another, better way is possible www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/o...
Opinion | I’m the Prime Minister of Spain. This Is Why the West Needs Migrants.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Spain: doing it right.
Near the top of the FAQs I get from curious readers:
How can galaxies collide if the Universe is expanding?
The short answer is: gravity. The longer answer is fun to read, IIDSSM.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/if-t...
🔭 🧪
How can galaxies collide if the Universe is expanding?
The short answer is: gravity. The longer answer is fun to read, IIDSSM.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/if-t...
🔭 🧪
How can galaxies ever collide in an ever-expanding universe?
You might think galaxies can’t ever find each other in our runaway cosmos, but it turns out gravity can sometimes overcome even the stretching of space itself
www.scientificamerican.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Near the top of the FAQs I get from curious readers:
How can galaxies collide if the Universe is expanding?
The short answer is: gravity. The longer answer is fun to read, IIDSSM.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/if-t...
🔭 🧪
How can galaxies collide if the Universe is expanding?
The short answer is: gravity. The longer answer is fun to read, IIDSSM.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/if-t...
🔭 🧪
Reposted by Phil Plait
Trump could say the n-word on live TV and the Times’ first reaction would be “it was unclear if Mr. Trump was aware of the word’s complicated history”
The New York Times has finally covered the Trump video of Obama as an ape — and they are still providing cover for him. Fuck the Times.
February 6, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Trump could say the n-word on live TV and the Times’ first reaction would be “it was unclear if Mr. Trump was aware of the word’s complicated history”
Yup. This is what they voted for.
Also, any Republican politician who doesn't vociferously reject this out loud today? You own this. You're supporting it.
Also, any Republican politician who doesn't vociferously reject this out loud today? You own this. You're supporting it.
A screenshot from a video posted on Trump's Truth Social account: truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
February 6, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Yup. This is what they voted for.
Also, any Republican politician who doesn't vociferously reject this out loud today? You own this. You're supporting it.
Also, any Republican politician who doesn't vociferously reject this out loud today? You own this. You're supporting it.
Reposted by Phil Plait
It's just over a year since we joined @bsky.app. Check out our updated #StarterPack and see what's changed!
February 6, 2026 at 12:44 PM
It's just over a year since we joined @bsky.app. Check out our updated #StarterPack and see what's changed!
Reposted by Phil Plait
M42 Orion Nebula - From Ryan Kinnett (rkinnett.bsky.social) - https://flic.kr/p/2mJ2g8C
February 6, 2026 at 3:00 AM
M42 Orion Nebula - From Ryan Kinnett (rkinnett.bsky.social) - https://flic.kr/p/2mJ2g8C
Yikes. This is what measles does. It's incredibly infectious. Make sure you're up to date on your vaccinations! Talk to your doctor.
Also, impeach RFK Jr.
Also, impeach RFK Jr.
Oh boy. “The University of Florida and the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County are investigating potential measles exposure in two UF classes following two confirmed cases in the county.
Health officials have begun contacting individuals who may have been exposed.” @aetiology.bsky.social
Health officials have begun contacting individuals who may have been exposed.” @aetiology.bsky.social
Measles exposure reported in two University of Florida classes, university says
The University of Florida and the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County are investigating potential measles exposure in two UF classes following two confirmed cases in the county.
www.news4jax.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:59 AM
Yikes. This is what measles does. It's incredibly infectious. Make sure you're up to date on your vaccinations! Talk to your doctor.
Also, impeach RFK Jr.
Also, impeach RFK Jr.
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.