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...
Reposted by Phil Plait
I’ve caught glimpses of a decent aurora once, nowhere near this spectacular, but the thing that struck me most was that the light flowed in a way that was very conspicuously NOT like a liquid but like electricity. It felt like being inside one of those plasma globe lamps. Eerie and breathtaking.
The aurora last night in Beaver, Alaska was just incredible. This is a real-time video (not sped up) of the crazy motion I saw. Also, look how BRIGHT it is, wow!
February 8, 2026 at 2:47 AM
I’ve caught glimpses of a decent aurora once, nowhere near this spectacular, but the thing that struck me most was that the light flowed in a way that was very conspicuously NOT like a liquid but like electricity. It felt like being inside one of those plasma globe lamps. Eerie and breathtaking.
"Epstein class" has the stickiness to it to become an amazing slogan for democrats to use that will land solidly with people. It's perfect and whoever wrote it should be very proud.
Ossoff: We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It’s the wealthiest Cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class. They are the elites they pretend to hate.
February 8, 2026 at 12:46 AM
"Epstein class" has the stickiness to it to become an amazing slogan for democrats to use that will land solidly with people. It's perfect and whoever wrote it should be very proud.
Reposted by Phil Plait
Long but good analysis of recent Science editorial.
Organizations like AAAS (and so many more) are failing to meet the moment because they cannot imagine the status quo collapsing. They have no "crisis mode."
Organizations like AAAS (and so many more) are failing to meet the moment because they cannot imagine the status quo collapsing. They have no "crisis mode."
Science EIC Thorp would like to have it both ways:
1) Credited for being reasonable in acknowledging the importance of (i) quiet insiders & (ii) activists in confronting cuts to science.
2) Clear on who he thinks really deserves the credit for the wins: insiders.
🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
1) Credited for being reasonable in acknowledging the importance of (i) quiet insiders & (ii) activists in confronting cuts to science.
2) Clear on who he thinks really deserves the credit for the wins: insiders.
🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A tale of many twos
For the American scientific enterprise, the past year has seemed awash in contradiction. On the one hand, it has produced great upheavals and losses for US science. Many universities experienced some ...
www.science.org
February 6, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Long but good analysis of recent Science editorial.
Organizations like AAAS (and so many more) are failing to meet the moment because they cannot imagine the status quo collapsing. They have no "crisis mode."
Organizations like AAAS (and so many more) are failing to meet the moment because they cannot imagine the status quo collapsing. They have no "crisis mode."
Holy dilithium crystals she's talented. I'd love to have this on my wall.
SHE’S FINISHED! My 5-foot-long Enterprise D oil painting is complete after nearly 100 hours of work!
I remember being 13 years old or so and trying to draw her and it was so hard, and all I wanted was to be able to do something like this. Truly a dream come true. 🥰🖖
I remember being 13 years old or so and trying to draw her and it was so hard, and all I wanted was to be able to do something like this. Truly a dream come true. 🥰🖖
February 7, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Holy dilithium crystals she's talented. I'd love to have this on my wall.
At *the very least* RFK Jr. should be tried for manslaughter. At the *VERY* very least he shouldn't be running the goddamned US health service.
Of course RFK Jr. lied about the Samoan people whose deaths from measles he is responsible for.
Literally no one believed his lies except people like Bill Cassidy who chose to believe him in order to please the King.
And now RFK Jr. will continue to get people killed by preventable diseases.
Literally no one believed his lies except people like Bill Cassidy who chose to believe him in order to please the King.
And now RFK Jr. will continue to get people killed by preventable diseases.
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:39 PM
At *the very least* RFK Jr. should be tried for manslaughter. At the *VERY* very least he shouldn't be running the goddamned US health service.
Yeah we kinda knew this for a coupla years here.
This is why I will not repost links to substack.
This is why I will not repost links to substack.
February 7, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Yeah we kinda knew this for a coupla years here.
This is why I will not repost links to substack.
This is why I will not repost links to substack.
Update:
I am now ready to try out for the Olympics
I am now ready to try out for the Olympics
February 7, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Update:
I am now ready to try out for the Olympics
I am now ready to try out for the Olympics
Reposted by Phil Plait
ok. does anyone know if it's twice per athlon or every two athlons
February 7, 2026 at 2:44 PM
ok. does anyone know if it's twice per athlon or every two athlons
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!