Paul Byrne
@theplanetaryguy.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science at Washington University in St. Louis • Planetary Data System Geosciences Node Director • Planetary Bastard • he/him/Sir
Pinned
Paul Byrne
@theplanetaryguy.bsky.social
· Nov 24
Open this photo up and look for the small, white dot just left of centre.
It looks like Venus, shining brightly in the twilight sky.
But it's us.
It's Earth.
From Mars.
It looks like Venus, shining brightly in the twilight sky.
But it's us.
It's Earth.
From Mars.
Merry Christmas, friends
December 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Merry Christmas, friends
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Saturn's tiny icy moon Mimas hangs in space against a backdrop of the giant planet itself.
The rings cross the bottom of the view, and cast their shadows onto the planet beyond.
NASA Photojournal PIA06142, taken by the Cassini spacecraft on 7 November 2004 some 3.7 million km from Saturn.
The rings cross the bottom of the view, and cast their shadows onto the planet beyond.
NASA Photojournal PIA06142, taken by the Cassini spacecraft on 7 November 2004 some 3.7 million km from Saturn.
December 24, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Saturn's tiny icy moon Mimas hangs in space against a backdrop of the giant planet itself.
The rings cross the bottom of the view, and cast their shadows onto the planet beyond.
NASA Photojournal PIA06142, taken by the Cassini spacecraft on 7 November 2004 some 3.7 million km from Saturn.
The rings cross the bottom of the view, and cast their shadows onto the planet beyond.
NASA Photojournal PIA06142, taken by the Cassini spacecraft on 7 November 2004 some 3.7 million km from Saturn.
This day 57 years ago.
Earthrise.
A remarkable view of Earth hoving into view as the Apollo 8 command module flew over the lunar surface.
That's us. That's home.
Earthrise.
A remarkable view of Earth hoving into view as the Apollo 8 command module flew over the lunar surface.
That's us. That's home.
December 24, 2025 at 10:05 PM
This day 57 years ago.
Earthrise.
A remarkable view of Earth hoving into view as the Apollo 8 command module flew over the lunar surface.
That's us. That's home.
Earthrise.
A remarkable view of Earth hoving into view as the Apollo 8 command module flew over the lunar surface.
That's us. That's home.
Saturn's tiny icy moon Mimas hangs in space against a backdrop of the giant planet itself.
The rings cross the bottom of the view, and cast their shadows onto the planet beyond.
NASA Photojournal PIA06142, taken by the Cassini spacecraft on 7 November 2004 some 3.7 million km from Saturn.
The rings cross the bottom of the view, and cast their shadows onto the planet beyond.
NASA Photojournal PIA06142, taken by the Cassini spacecraft on 7 November 2004 some 3.7 million km from Saturn.
December 24, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Saturn's tiny icy moon Mimas hangs in space against a backdrop of the giant planet itself.
The rings cross the bottom of the view, and cast their shadows onto the planet beyond.
NASA Photojournal PIA06142, taken by the Cassini spacecraft on 7 November 2004 some 3.7 million km from Saturn.
The rings cross the bottom of the view, and cast their shadows onto the planet beyond.
NASA Photojournal PIA06142, taken by the Cassini spacecraft on 7 November 2004 some 3.7 million km from Saturn.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
As we wrap up the year, I'm sharing an achievement I'm particularly proud of—we published the second book in our Comparative Planetology series!
Planetary Tectonism deals with the stresses that shape planets and the landforms that develop.
It follows Planetary Volcanism, published in 2021.
Planetary Tectonism deals with the stresses that shape planets and the landforms that develop.
It follows Planetary Volcanism, published in 2021.
December 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
As we wrap up the year, I'm sharing an achievement I'm particularly proud of—we published the second book in our Comparative Planetology series!
Planetary Tectonism deals with the stresses that shape planets and the landforms that develop.
It follows Planetary Volcanism, published in 2021.
Planetary Tectonism deals with the stresses that shape planets and the landforms that develop.
It follows Planetary Volcanism, published in 2021.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Some new pics of Mars from ESA's Mars Express have been processed by @andrealuck.bsky.social, including this one showing its moon Phobos hanging in space over the planet surface.
It's absurdly sci-fi looking, so I added a Star Destroyer and 80s starfield.
It's absurdly sci-fi looking, so I added a Star Destroyer and 80s starfield.
December 23, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Some new pics of Mars from ESA's Mars Express have been processed by @andrealuck.bsky.social, including this one showing its moon Phobos hanging in space over the planet surface.
It's absurdly sci-fi looking, so I added a Star Destroyer and 80s starfield.
It's absurdly sci-fi looking, so I added a Star Destroyer and 80s starfield.
Some new pics of Mars from ESA's Mars Express have been processed by @andrealuck.bsky.social, including this one showing its moon Phobos hanging in space over the planet surface.
It's absurdly sci-fi looking, so I added a Star Destroyer and 80s starfield.
It's absurdly sci-fi looking, so I added a Star Destroyer and 80s starfield.
December 23, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Some new pics of Mars from ESA's Mars Express have been processed by @andrealuck.bsky.social, including this one showing its moon Phobos hanging in space over the planet surface.
It's absurdly sci-fi looking, so I added a Star Destroyer and 80s starfield.
It's absurdly sci-fi looking, so I added a Star Destroyer and 80s starfield.
As we wrap up the year, I'm sharing an achievement I'm particularly proud of—we published the second book in our Comparative Planetology series!
Planetary Tectonism deals with the stresses that shape planets and the landforms that develop.
It follows Planetary Volcanism, published in 2021.
Planetary Tectonism deals with the stresses that shape planets and the landforms that develop.
It follows Planetary Volcanism, published in 2021.
December 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
As we wrap up the year, I'm sharing an achievement I'm particularly proud of—we published the second book in our Comparative Planetology series!
Planetary Tectonism deals with the stresses that shape planets and the landforms that develop.
It follows Planetary Volcanism, published in 2021.
Planetary Tectonism deals with the stresses that shape planets and the landforms that develop.
It follows Planetary Volcanism, published in 2021.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Tory Bruno has left ULA for other opportunities. John Elbon is in charge for now.
December 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Tory Bruno has left ULA for other opportunities. John Elbon is in charge for now.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Jezero Crater, Mars.
Thursday.
Composite Perseverance rover Right Mastcam-Z camera images taken Thursday, 18 December 2025 at a local time of just before noon. Colour and brightness adjusted to better match human vision.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Paul Byrne
Thursday.
Composite Perseverance rover Right Mastcam-Z camera images taken Thursday, 18 December 2025 at a local time of just before noon. Colour and brightness adjusted to better match human vision.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Paul Byrne
December 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Jezero Crater, Mars.
Thursday.
Composite Perseverance rover Right Mastcam-Z camera images taken Thursday, 18 December 2025 at a local time of just before noon. Colour and brightness adjusted to better match human vision.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Paul Byrne
Thursday.
Composite Perseverance rover Right Mastcam-Z camera images taken Thursday, 18 December 2025 at a local time of just before noon. Colour and brightness adjusted to better match human vision.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Paul Byrne
Reposted by Paul Byrne
On the winter solstice, the Sun rises and shines down the length of the 5,100-year-old Newgrange passage tomb in County Meath, Ireland.
Remarkable designing and implementation by the Neolithic engineers who built it.
Remarkable designing and implementation by the Neolithic engineers who built it.
December 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
On the winter solstice, the Sun rises and shines down the length of the 5,100-year-old Newgrange passage tomb in County Meath, Ireland.
Remarkable designing and implementation by the Neolithic engineers who built it.
Remarkable designing and implementation by the Neolithic engineers who built it.
I hope it fucking hurts
December 21, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I hope it fucking hurts
Jezero Crater, Mars.
Thursday.
Composite Perseverance rover Right Mastcam-Z camera images taken Thursday, 18 December 2025 at a local time of just before noon. Colour and brightness adjusted to better match human vision.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Paul Byrne
Thursday.
Composite Perseverance rover Right Mastcam-Z camera images taken Thursday, 18 December 2025 at a local time of just before noon. Colour and brightness adjusted to better match human vision.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Paul Byrne
December 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Jezero Crater, Mars.
Thursday.
Composite Perseverance rover Right Mastcam-Z camera images taken Thursday, 18 December 2025 at a local time of just before noon. Colour and brightness adjusted to better match human vision.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Paul Byrne
Thursday.
Composite Perseverance rover Right Mastcam-Z camera images taken Thursday, 18 December 2025 at a local time of just before noon. Colour and brightness adjusted to better match human vision.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Paul Byrne
On the winter solstice, the Sun rises and shines down the length of the 5,100-year-old Newgrange passage tomb in County Meath, Ireland.
Remarkable designing and implementation by the Neolithic engineers who built it.
Remarkable designing and implementation by the Neolithic engineers who built it.
December 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
On the winter solstice, the Sun rises and shines down the length of the 5,100-year-old Newgrange passage tomb in County Meath, Ireland.
Remarkable designing and implementation by the Neolithic engineers who built it.
Remarkable designing and implementation by the Neolithic engineers who built it.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
My god. It's full of stars.
This sparkling #JWST stellar scene is Westerlund 2, a young star cluster only a few million years old and containing some of the hottest, most massive stars known.
Westerlund 2 is situated within the Gum 29 stellar nursery, and is around 20,000 lightyears from home.
This sparkling #JWST stellar scene is Westerlund 2, a young star cluster only a few million years old and containing some of the hottest, most massive stars known.
Westerlund 2 is situated within the Gum 29 stellar nursery, and is around 20,000 lightyears from home.
December 20, 2025 at 1:46 AM
My god. It's full of stars.
This sparkling #JWST stellar scene is Westerlund 2, a young star cluster only a few million years old and containing some of the hottest, most massive stars known.
Westerlund 2 is situated within the Gum 29 stellar nursery, and is around 20,000 lightyears from home.
This sparkling #JWST stellar scene is Westerlund 2, a young star cluster only a few million years old and containing some of the hottest, most massive stars known.
Westerlund 2 is situated within the Gum 29 stellar nursery, and is around 20,000 lightyears from home.
My god. It's full of stars.
This sparkling #JWST stellar scene is Westerlund 2, a young star cluster only a few million years old and containing some of the hottest, most massive stars known.
Westerlund 2 is situated within the Gum 29 stellar nursery, and is around 20,000 lightyears from home.
This sparkling #JWST stellar scene is Westerlund 2, a young star cluster only a few million years old and containing some of the hottest, most massive stars known.
Westerlund 2 is situated within the Gum 29 stellar nursery, and is around 20,000 lightyears from home.
December 20, 2025 at 1:46 AM
My god. It's full of stars.
This sparkling #JWST stellar scene is Westerlund 2, a young star cluster only a few million years old and containing some of the hottest, most massive stars known.
Westerlund 2 is situated within the Gum 29 stellar nursery, and is around 20,000 lightyears from home.
This sparkling #JWST stellar scene is Westerlund 2, a young star cluster only a few million years old and containing some of the hottest, most massive stars known.
Westerlund 2 is situated within the Gum 29 stellar nursery, and is around 20,000 lightyears from home.
Disappointing that its sports teams
Terrifying headline if you don’t realize they are sports teams.
December 19, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Disappointing that its sports teams
Reposted by Paul Byrne
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
First-of-a-kind study shows encouraging data for trans kids who socially transition
Ninety-four percent of participants in a new study stood firm in their trans identity after five years, and "detransitioning" is rare.
www.popsci.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
Reposted by Paul Byrne
At an @agu.org Town Hall today, @ncar-ucar.bsky.social President Antonio Busalacchi spoke to #AGU25 attendees about what's at stake if NCAR is dismantled.
One attendee asked anyone who uses NCAR research to stand up. Almost everyone in the room stood.
Read more here:
eos.org/research-and...
One attendee asked anyone who uses NCAR research to stand up. Almost everyone in the room stood.
Read more here:
eos.org/research-and...
December 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
At an @agu.org Town Hall today, @ncar-ucar.bsky.social President Antonio Busalacchi spoke to #AGU25 attendees about what's at stake if NCAR is dismantled.
One attendee asked anyone who uses NCAR research to stand up. Almost everyone in the room stood.
Read more here:
eos.org/research-and...
One attendee asked anyone who uses NCAR research to stand up. Almost everyone in the room stood.
Read more here:
eos.org/research-and...
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Jared Isaacman has been sworn in as NASA Administrator.
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
NASA Welcomes 15th Administrator Jared Isaacman - NASA
Jared Isaacman was sworn in Thursday as NASA's 15th administrator by District Judge Timothy J. Kelly. The oath was taken during a ceremony held at the
www.nasa.gov
December 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Jared Isaacman has been sworn in as NASA Administrator.
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Europa Clipper has observed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS with its ultraviolet spectrograph instrument! News here:
www.swri.org/newsroom/pre...
www.swri.org/newsroom/pre...
December 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Europa Clipper has observed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS with its ultraviolet spectrograph instrument! News here:
www.swri.org/newsroom/pre...
www.swri.org/newsroom/pre...
Reposted by Paul Byrne
🚨 SAVE THE DATE 🚨
We're putting together a Planetary Science Community Meeting at the Kentucky Science Center in Louisville, KY on April 14–16 2026.
This is a grass-roots meeting for planetary scientists to gather, discuss, and organize to address pressing issues our community faces.
(1/2)
We're putting together a Planetary Science Community Meeting at the Kentucky Science Center in Louisville, KY on April 14–16 2026.
This is a grass-roots meeting for planetary scientists to gather, discuss, and organize to address pressing issues our community faces.
(1/2)
December 17, 2025 at 10:50 PM
🚨 SAVE THE DATE 🚨
We're putting together a Planetary Science Community Meeting at the Kentucky Science Center in Louisville, KY on April 14–16 2026.
This is a grass-roots meeting for planetary scientists to gather, discuss, and organize to address pressing issues our community faces.
(1/2)
We're putting together a Planetary Science Community Meeting at the Kentucky Science Center in Louisville, KY on April 14–16 2026.
This is a grass-roots meeting for planetary scientists to gather, discuss, and organize to address pressing issues our community faces.
(1/2)
Reposted by Paul Byrne
He's giving this speech with all the enthusiasm of me giving an oral report on the economy of Brazil in 9th grade global studies.
December 18, 2025 at 2:03 AM
He's giving this speech with all the enthusiasm of me giving an oral report on the economy of Brazil in 9th grade global studies.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Trump Announces 5,000% Increase In All Numbers
Trump Announces 5,000% Increase In All Numbers
WASHINGTON—Touting his latest executive order as a historic win for the U.S. economy, President Donald Trump announced Friday that he was mandating a 5,000% increase in all numbers nationwide. “Effect...
theonion.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Trump Announces 5,000% Increase In All Numbers
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Another proud advisor moment as Henry Dawson presents his work on the tectonic states of icy satellite seafloors!
tl;dr there might not be very much going on at the ocean floors of many of these moons...
tl;dr there might not be very much going on at the ocean floors of many of these moons...
December 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Another proud advisor moment as Henry Dawson presents his work on the tectonic states of icy satellite seafloors!
tl;dr there might not be very much going on at the ocean floors of many of these moons...
tl;dr there might not be very much going on at the ocean floors of many of these moons...