Riding With Robots
@ridingrobots.bsky.social
Robotic solar system exploration, night sky photography, exasperating earnestness. My day job is impersonating some of your favorite planets and spacecraft on social media for one of your favorite government agencies. Opinions here are my own.
Reposted by Riding With Robots
#one sunlit butterfly on an orange flower for today’s #BlueSkyArtShow #macro #EastCoastKin #entomology #insects
January 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
#one sunlit butterfly on an orange flower for today’s #BlueSkyArtShow #macro #EastCoastKin #entomology #insects
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ICE and MAGA really did bet the farm on all of Minneapolis’s white people going “oh yes, please take away our disgusting, evil non-white-foreigner neighbors, oh thank you so much.”
it’s beautiful that they’ve been proven incredibly wrong about that - may the rest of the country do the same.
it’s beautiful that they’ve been proven incredibly wrong about that - may the rest of the country do the same.
January 18, 2026 at 2:39 AM
ICE and MAGA really did bet the farm on all of Minneapolis’s white people going “oh yes, please take away our disgusting, evil non-white-foreigner neighbors, oh thank you so much.”
it’s beautiful that they’ve been proven incredibly wrong about that - may the rest of the country do the same.
it’s beautiful that they’ve been proven incredibly wrong about that - may the rest of the country do the same.
Reposted by Riding With Robots
Check out this BEAUTIFUL full-halo CME which has now cleared the CCOR-1 field of view. It is fast with a transit time of ~1.5 days. Preliminary models indicate an impact sometime Monday night (tomorrow!!!) and my guess is G2-G3 conditions are possible pending arrival at Earth.
January 18, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Check out this BEAUTIFUL full-halo CME which has now cleared the CCOR-1 field of view. It is fast with a transit time of ~1.5 days. Preliminary models indicate an impact sometime Monday night (tomorrow!!!) and my guess is G2-G3 conditions are possible pending arrival at Earth.
Reposted by Riding With Robots
There's a reason why Fred Rogers used the word "neighbor." The older I get, the more powerful I realize "being a good neighbor" is... and I'm not talking about some damn State Farm.
January 18, 2026 at 5:51 PM
There's a reason why Fred Rogers used the word "neighbor." The older I get, the more powerful I realize "being a good neighbor" is... and I'm not talking about some damn State Farm.
Reposted by Riding With Robots
The National Science Foundation sign on our Eisenhower Av building is now gone.
The NSF mural in the foyer is removed and torn off in sheets.
We were supposed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the agency in May 2025. That never happened.
The NSF mural in the foyer is removed and torn off in sheets.
We were supposed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the agency in May 2025. That never happened.
January 18, 2026 at 2:00 AM
The National Science Foundation sign on our Eisenhower Av building is now gone.
The NSF mural in the foyer is removed and torn off in sheets.
We were supposed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the agency in May 2025. That never happened.
The NSF mural in the foyer is removed and torn off in sheets.
We were supposed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the agency in May 2025. That never happened.
Reposted by Riding With Robots
As expected, the content farms nonsense around this comet has vanished, with no follow ups… as noise always does.
What remains is an unprecedented effort to gather data using every possible instrument on the ground, in space and on Mars!
A reminder to follow real scientists, not dodgy clicks.
What remains is an unprecedented effort to gather data using every possible instrument on the ground, in space and on Mars!
A reminder to follow real scientists, not dodgy clicks.
Say goodbye to Comet 3I/ATLAS! Watch it head for interstellar space in real-time with this free Jan. 16 livestream www.space.com/astronomy/co...
Say goodbye to Comet 3I/ATLAS! Watch it head for interstellar space in real-time with this free Jan. 16 livestream
3I/ATLAS is heading away from the sun on an escape trajectory from our solar system.
www.space.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:18 AM
As expected, the content farms nonsense around this comet has vanished, with no follow ups… as noise always does.
What remains is an unprecedented effort to gather data using every possible instrument on the ground, in space and on Mars!
A reminder to follow real scientists, not dodgy clicks.
What remains is an unprecedented effort to gather data using every possible instrument on the ground, in space and on Mars!
A reminder to follow real scientists, not dodgy clicks.
After fire, snow and starlight.
Uintah Mountains, Utah
Uintah Mountains, Utah
January 17, 2026 at 6:50 PM
After fire, snow and starlight.
Uintah Mountains, Utah
Uintah Mountains, Utah
Reposted by Riding With Robots
In November of this year (2026) Voyager 1, NASA’s deep-space probe, will be one light-day away from Earth. The first ever spacecraft to reach this historic milestone. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 is currently exploring interstellar space 15.8 billion miles away. #Aerospace #Voyager1
January 16, 2026 at 9:59 PM
In November of this year (2026) Voyager 1, NASA’s deep-space probe, will be one light-day away from Earth. The first ever spacecraft to reach this historic milestone. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 is currently exploring interstellar space 15.8 billion miles away. #Aerospace #Voyager1
Reposted by Riding With Robots
The AGs (analysis/assessment groups) were a way from the community to directly give/send input/feedback to NASA. science.nasa.gov/science-comm...
January 16, 2026 at 10:26 PM
The AGs (analysis/assessment groups) were a way from the community to directly give/send input/feedback to NASA. science.nasa.gov/science-comm...
Reposted by Riding With Robots
One of the most egregious wastes of taxpayer money in US history. Basically, burning your cash and then smearing the ash on your forehead.
Estimates on the cost to implement the Department of War name change range from $10 million to $125 million, but it could rise to "hundreds of millions," the CBO said this week.
Department of War rebrand could cost from $10 million to ‘hundreds of millions,’ CBO says
The final figure would likely hinge on the extent of replacement for signs, letterhead, name plates and digital coding related to many websites.
www.stripes.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:34 PM
One of the most egregious wastes of taxpayer money in US history. Basically, burning your cash and then smearing the ash on your forehead.
From NASA: Any night is a great night to go skywatching with friends, but Sunday’s new moon will bring nice, dark skies. Who are you going with? www.instagram.com/p/DTlNur3jz5S/
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory on Instagram: "Any night is a great night to go skywatching with friends, but Sunday’s new moon will bring nice, dark skies. Who are you going with? Tag them below.
Tim...
894 likes, 10 comments - nasajpl on January 16, 2026: "Any night is a great night to go skywatching with friends, but Sunday’s new moon will bring nice, dark skies. Who are you going with? Tag them be...
www.instagram.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:06 PM
From NASA: Any night is a great night to go skywatching with friends, but Sunday’s new moon will bring nice, dark skies. Who are you going with? www.instagram.com/p/DTlNur3jz5S/
Reposted by Riding With Robots
I went to the Sea of Crises and everyone there knew you
January 16, 2026 at 6:37 PM
I went to the Sea of Crises and everyone there knew you
Reposted by Riding With Robots
Science Friday > Whiskey Friday
Happy Science Friday! Here’s what we’re covering today on the show. Listen on your local public radio station, 2-4 p.m. ET. 🛰️ 🧱 👁️
Learn more here: buff.ly/2NuWn58
Learn more here: buff.ly/2NuWn58
![What to expect on Science Friday's January 16 show: A James Webb Space Telescope audience question answered, how ancient Romans made concrete, secrets of Greenland shark eyeballs, and more. [image of a technician examining the mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope before its launch in 2021.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rjtifgmgwnacwa24lqp4tpsy/bafkreidjkxrvpgbqx264qjcb7ru63yebxgdu2hjw5mcsemaud2mranwena@jpeg)
January 16, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Science Friday > Whiskey Friday
From NASA:
Get my good side! In 2016, our Cassini spacecraft was still orbiting the ringed giant, Saturn. Here's one of our favorite posts from that year.
Get my good side! In 2016, our Cassini spacecraft was still orbiting the ringed giant, Saturn. Here's one of our favorite posts from that year.
January 16, 2026 at 5:01 PM
From NASA:
Get my good side! In 2016, our Cassini spacecraft was still orbiting the ringed giant, Saturn. Here's one of our favorite posts from that year.
Get my good side! In 2016, our Cassini spacecraft was still orbiting the ringed giant, Saturn. Here's one of our favorite posts from that year.
Reposted by Riding With Robots
For the first time, #Copernicus Sentinel-2A has captured night‑time images of Earth, spotting gas flares in the Middle East, wildfires in India and even fishing boats in South Korea.
The results from these tests are being used to prepare for Sentinel‑2 Next Generation.
The results from these tests are being used to prepare for Sentinel‑2 Next Generation.
January 15, 2026 at 8:41 AM
For the first time, #Copernicus Sentinel-2A has captured night‑time images of Earth, spotting gas flares in the Middle East, wildfires in India and even fishing boats in South Korea.
The results from these tests are being used to prepare for Sentinel‑2 Next Generation.
The results from these tests are being used to prepare for Sentinel‑2 Next Generation.
From NASA:
Satellite data show that wildland fires are becoming more common across the Arctic, particularly in Eurasia. Fires in this region are also burning larger, hotter, and longer than they did in previous decades.
Full story: go.nasa.gov/3LONMeu
Satellite data show that wildland fires are becoming more common across the Arctic, particularly in Eurasia. Fires in this region are also burning larger, hotter, and longer than they did in previous decades.
Full story: go.nasa.gov/3LONMeu
Fires on the Rise in the Far North - NASA Science
Satellite-based maps show northern wildland fires becoming more frequent and widespread as temperatures rise and lightning reaches higher latitudes.
go.nasa.gov
January 16, 2026 at 4:25 PM
From NASA:
Satellite data show that wildland fires are becoming more common across the Arctic, particularly in Eurasia. Fires in this region are also burning larger, hotter, and longer than they did in previous decades.
Full story: go.nasa.gov/3LONMeu
Satellite data show that wildland fires are becoming more common across the Arctic, particularly in Eurasia. Fires in this region are also burning larger, hotter, and longer than they did in previous decades.
Full story: go.nasa.gov/3LONMeu
Reposted by Riding With Robots
The thing about replacing the adults from the first administration with comments section personnel in the second administration, is that they've managed to convince themselves that no course correction is needed.
Devastating new CNN poll on the anniversary of Trump’s first year in office: voters think he’s made everything worse — crime, free speech, health, global security. Literally every promise.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/16/p...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/16/p...
January 16, 2026 at 3:57 PM
The thing about replacing the adults from the first administration with comments section personnel in the second administration, is that they've managed to convince themselves that no course correction is needed.
Reposted by Riding With Robots
DO YOU WONDER ABOUT THE MOST COMMON ORIGIN OF BASALTIC #METEORITES?
I explain at #Tiktok
how are the HED achondrites from asteroid (4) Vesta launched towards our planet. It involved a huge impact!
English vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkPvgFT/
Catalan vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkPww8N/
Spanish
vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkP7UhX/
I explain at #Tiktok
how are the HED achondrites from asteroid (4) Vesta launched towards our planet. It involved a huge impact!
English vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkPvgFT/
Catalan vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkPww8N/
Spanish
vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkP7UhX/
January 16, 2026 at 3:44 PM
DO YOU WONDER ABOUT THE MOST COMMON ORIGIN OF BASALTIC #METEORITES?
I explain at #Tiktok
how are the HED achondrites from asteroid (4) Vesta launched towards our planet. It involved a huge impact!
English vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkPvgFT/
Catalan vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkPww8N/
Spanish
vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkP7UhX/
I explain at #Tiktok
how are the HED achondrites from asteroid (4) Vesta launched towards our planet. It involved a huge impact!
English vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkPvgFT/
Catalan vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkPww8N/
Spanish
vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkP7UhX/
Reposted by Riding With Robots
It’s funny that Joe Rogan is finally useful for something: a barometer to let us know when even the absolute dumbest motherfuckers are about to start getting it
Rogan: "You don't want militarized people in the streets just roaming around, snatching up people — many of which turn out to be U.S. citizens that just don't have their papers on them. Are we really gonna be the Gestapo, 'Where's your papers?' Is that what we've come to?"
January 16, 2026 at 3:51 PM
It’s funny that Joe Rogan is finally useful for something: a barometer to let us know when even the absolute dumbest motherfuckers are about to start getting it
Reposted by Riding With Robots
Saturn’s south polar vortex in near-infrared false color. Processed using imagery taken by the Cassini spacecraft on October 12, 2006.
flic.kr/p/2h4L2U1
flic.kr/p/2h4L2U1
January 16, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Saturn’s south polar vortex in near-infrared false color. Processed using imagery taken by the Cassini spacecraft on October 12, 2006.
flic.kr/p/2h4L2U1
flic.kr/p/2h4L2U1
Reposted by Riding With Robots
January 16, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Reposted by Riding With Robots
Paul can’t help himself with this. Again, this tactic of misleadingly ridiculing basic research occupied a whole chapter in my book, which is now almost nine years old and prominently features Rand Paul doing the same shit.
January 16, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Paul can’t help himself with this. Again, this tactic of misleadingly ridiculing basic research occupied a whole chapter in my book, which is now almost nine years old and prominently features Rand Paul doing the same shit.
Reposted by Riding With Robots
January 16, 2026 at 2:53 AM