Zach Schierl
@zschierl.bsky.social
Professional earth & space science educator. Semi-professional photographer. Amateur parent. He/him 🔭🌎🪨📷⚒️
📍 Yakima, Washington, USA
More: https://zschierlphotography.com/about/
📍 Yakima, Washington, USA
More: https://zschierlphotography.com/about/
Pinned
Zach Schierl
@zschierl.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Thanks to all of the new followers! I teach community college earth, space, and climate science. I'm also a landscape and astrophotographer in my spare time. Never really used Twitter, but looking forward to learning from and being part of the teaching and photography communities here!
Update: it is indeed a good night!
November 12, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Update: it is indeed a good night!
Aurora alert! I can see a bright red glow with the naked eye from my backyard and it's not even dark out yet. Could be a good night! #aurora 🔭
November 12, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Aurora alert! I can see a bright red glow with the naked eye from my backyard and it's not even dark out yet. Could be a good night! #aurora 🔭
I got my start in astronomy education at Lowell in 2006. The opportunity to work adjacent to and learn from so many amazing scientists made it a really special place. This is devastating news.
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
Lowell Observatory slashes research funding in the midst of financial struggle
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I got my start in astronomy education at Lowell in 2006. The opportunity to work adjacent to and learn from so many amazing scientists made it a really special place. This is devastating news.
Beautiful fall day mushroom hunting around Mt. Rainier! #StratovolcanoSunday
November 3, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Beautiful fall day mushroom hunting around Mt. Rainier! #StratovolcanoSunday
Reposted by Zach Schierl
Professors,
some of your students just lost their access to food. This will put a strain on their ability to pay rent and focus in class. They might need to not pay electric to make ends meet. They might be coming to class hungry.
Please be aware that the loss of SNAP will impact your students
some of your students just lost their access to food. This will put a strain on their ability to pay rent and focus in class. They might need to not pay electric to make ends meet. They might be coming to class hungry.
Please be aware that the loss of SNAP will impact your students
November 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Professors,
some of your students just lost their access to food. This will put a strain on their ability to pay rent and focus in class. They might need to not pay electric to make ends meet. They might be coming to class hungry.
Please be aware that the loss of SNAP will impact your students
some of your students just lost their access to food. This will put a strain on their ability to pay rent and focus in class. They might need to not pay electric to make ends meet. They might be coming to class hungry.
Please be aware that the loss of SNAP will impact your students
A beautiful shot! That makes two years in a row I've been gifted a bright comet for my fall planetary science course. The comet looked great tonight in a 6" scope even from Bortle Class 6 skies. 🔭☄️
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) at 1858 MST 26 October 2025 from northern Arizona.
Nikon D850, Nikkor 180mm AI-s, f/4, ISO 200, 120 seconds.
#astrophotography
Nikon D850, Nikkor 180mm AI-s, f/4, ISO 200, 120 seconds.
#astrophotography
October 28, 2025 at 3:29 AM
A beautiful shot! That makes two years in a row I've been gifted a bright comet for my fall planetary science course. The comet looked great tonight in a 6" scope even from Bortle Class 6 skies. 🔭☄️
Reposted by Zach Schierl
"The NOAA aircraft left the storm early after
experiencing severe turbulence in the southwestern eyewall."
These men and women are not being paid due to the US government shutdown. Not to mention that according to AOML's director emeritus Robert Atlas, they are down 40-50% staff. #Melissa
experiencing severe turbulence in the southwestern eyewall."
These men and women are not being paid due to the US government shutdown. Not to mention that according to AOML's director emeritus Robert Atlas, they are down 40-50% staff. #Melissa
October 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
"The NOAA aircraft left the storm early after
experiencing severe turbulence in the southwestern eyewall."
These men and women are not being paid due to the US government shutdown. Not to mention that according to AOML's director emeritus Robert Atlas, they are down 40-50% staff. #Melissa
experiencing severe turbulence in the southwestern eyewall."
These men and women are not being paid due to the US government shutdown. Not to mention that according to AOML's director emeritus Robert Atlas, they are down 40-50% staff. #Melissa
Finally got a cloud-free evening to get a good look at Comet Lemmon. This is a stack of 30 1-sec exposures from my front yard. Comet and tail easily visible in binoculars. Probably a naked eye object if not for the house across the street trying to mimic a Vegas casino...🔭
October 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Finally got a cloud-free evening to get a good look at Comet Lemmon. This is a stack of 30 1-sec exposures from my front yard. Comet and tail easily visible in binoculars. Probably a naked eye object if not for the house across the street trying to mimic a Vegas casino...🔭
Kicking off year 7 as a full-time faculty member this week!
If any planetary science folks would be interested in speaking to my Solar System astronomy course about their research later this quarter, please get in touch! 🔭
If any planetary science folks would be interested in speaking to my Solar System astronomy course about their research later this quarter, please get in touch! 🔭
September 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Kicking off year 7 as a full-time faculty member this week!
If any planetary science folks would be interested in speaking to my Solar System astronomy course about their research later this quarter, please get in touch! 🔭
If any planetary science folks would be interested in speaking to my Solar System astronomy course about their research later this quarter, please get in touch! 🔭
Reposted by Zach Schierl
I found a phrase that is resonating with my Intro Geosci and lab students this semester:
It’s not about “right answers” in our labs, it’s about “reasonable answers” based on evidence.
They’re taking a lot more chances and seem to be even more engaged than usual.
It’s not about “right answers” in our labs, it’s about “reasonable answers” based on evidence.
They’re taking a lot more chances and seem to be even more engaged than usual.
September 19, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I found a phrase that is resonating with my Intro Geosci and lab students this semester:
It’s not about “right answers” in our labs, it’s about “reasonable answers” based on evidence.
They’re taking a lot more chances and seem to be even more engaged than usual.
It’s not about “right answers” in our labs, it’s about “reasonable answers” based on evidence.
They’re taking a lot more chances and seem to be even more engaged than usual.
Quite a bit of activity on the Wildcat Fire today. This is a ~30 minute time lapse taken from the Ironstone Mountain Trail late this afternoon. Triangular peak in foreground is Mt. Aix.
#WildcatFire #wawx
#WildcatFire #wawx
September 14, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Quite a bit of activity on the Wildcat Fire today. This is a ~30 minute time lapse taken from the Ironstone Mountain Trail late this afternoon. Triangular peak in foreground is Mt. Aix.
#WildcatFire #wawx
#WildcatFire #wawx
Differential weathering in thin beds of marine sediment exposed near Praia de Odeceixe, Portugal. It was stunning to see this silhouetted against the darkening sky just after sunset! ⚒️
September 10, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Differential weathering in thin beds of marine sediment exposed near Praia de Odeceixe, Portugal. It was stunning to see this silhouetted against the darkening sky just after sunset! ⚒️
Glad to see Dioptase has returned. Its loss last year made me seriously question the judgement of the geoscience community, so I'm hoping my faith is restored this time around.
#MinCup25 Round 1 Match 10: It’s a green, green world for kiwi #Wavellite vs desert emerald #Dioptase.
Will it be revenge or a repeat in this rematch of the 2024 quarterfinals?
VOTE: www.mineralcup.org/2025/vote/r1...
Check results: www.mineralcup.org/2025/results...
Will it be revenge or a repeat in this rematch of the 2024 quarterfinals?
VOTE: www.mineralcup.org/2025/vote/r1...
Check results: www.mineralcup.org/2025/results...
Vote in Round 1 Match 10 — Mineral Cup
Click here to vote in Dioptase vs Wavellite Photo Credit: Smithsonian Institution
www.mineralcup.org
September 10, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Glad to see Dioptase has returned. Its loss last year made me seriously question the judgement of the geoscience community, so I'm hoping my faith is restored this time around.
Reposted by Zach Schierl
Today, the National Park Service opened a one-month comment period during which the public can share their recommendations or concerns about visitor services at the parks.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to tell them exactly what we want to see, do, learn, and experience in national parks.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to tell them exactly what we want to see, do, learn, and experience in national parks.
National Park Service Is Asking For Your Ideas to Improve Visitor Services, National Park Experience
Tell them to staff all parks properly and tell history accurately.
thenationalparksexperience.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Today, the National Park Service opened a one-month comment period during which the public can share their recommendations or concerns about visitor services at the parks.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to tell them exactly what we want to see, do, learn, and experience in national parks.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to tell them exactly what we want to see, do, learn, and experience in national parks.
September 9, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Without a doubt, the best part of my job is when students stop by to ask questions that aren't about grades.
If you are a college student, maybe a week or two into the semester, why not visit office hours and ask your professor that question?
You know, that thing you were wondering in class? Or when you were doing the homework?
Go ask them! That’s why they are there. They will be excited to see you.
You know, that thing you were wondering in class? Or when you were doing the homework?
Go ask them! That’s why they are there. They will be excited to see you.
September 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Without a doubt, the best part of my job is when students stop by to ask questions that aren't about grades.
One of WA's most interesting geological sites and a common geo 101 field trip destination. Very sad.
Was upsetting to find Mima Mounds closed yet again due to vandalism. 🤬
At this point, maybe DNR should just put in a campsite with an electric hookup and get someone to volunteer to stay there in an RV to keep an eye on things. It'd be cheaper than repeatedly repairing vandalism damage!
At this point, maybe DNR should just put in a campsite with an electric hookup and get someone to volunteer to stay there in an RV to keep an eye on things. It'd be cheaper than repeatedly repairing vandalism damage!
September 2, 2025 at 3:02 AM
One of WA's most interesting geological sites and a common geo 101 field trip destination. Very sad.
September 2, 2025 at 2:50 AM
About 2:30 pm we crested a ridge on the Jug Lake Trail and saw the pyrocumulus through the trees. A little surprising given that winds by us (only ~8 miles S of the fire) were non-existent to light.
Hoping for favorable conditions as crews try to get this one under control! #wawx
Hoping for favorable conditions as crews try to get this one under control! #wawx
September 1, 2025 at 3:43 AM
About 2:30 pm we crested a ridge on the Jug Lake Trail and saw the pyrocumulus through the trees. A little surprising given that winds by us (only ~8 miles S of the fire) were non-existent to light.
Hoping for favorable conditions as crews try to get this one under control! #wawx
Hoping for favorable conditions as crews try to get this one under control! #wawx
Sunset at Praia de Odeceixe, Portugal. The beach is basically a huge sandbar at the mouth of the Rio de Seixe, with the river on one side and the Atlantic on the other. One of the most spectacular beaches I've seen. ⚒️📷
#portugal #landscapephotography
#portugal #landscapephotography
August 30, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Sunset at Praia de Odeceixe, Portugal. The beach is basically a huge sandbar at the mouth of the Rio de Seixe, with the river on one side and the Atlantic on the other. One of the most spectacular beaches I've seen. ⚒️📷
#portugal #landscapephotography
#portugal #landscapephotography
Unexpected geology find last week: absolutely spectacular folds in Carboniferous marine sediments along the western coast of Portugal near Cabo Sardão. ⚒️
August 29, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Unexpected geology find last week: absolutely spectacular folds in Carboniferous marine sediments along the western coast of Portugal near Cabo Sardão. ⚒️
Not sure what's more unsettling: "Cool American" being a flavor descriptor, or Doritos earning a "B" on the EU's A-F nutrition ranking system.
August 28, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Not sure what's more unsettling: "Cool American" being a flavor descriptor, or Doritos earning a "B" on the EU's A-F nutrition ranking system.
Reposted by Zach Schierl
Imagine a fire is threatening where you live, and ICE & CBP take the firefighters AWAY from the fire…all in the name of meeting a quota of mass deportations. Please tell me how this is putting “America First”, because I don’t see how this is helping anyone…
"Two people fighting the Bear Gulch fire on the Olympic Peninsula were arrested by federal law enforcement, in a confrontation described by firefighters and depicted in photos and video."
Federal agents arrest firefighters working on WA wildfire
Federal agents showed up northeast of Lake Cushman to check identification of crew members fighting Washington's largest active wildfire.
www.seattletimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Imagine a fire is threatening where you live, and ICE & CBP take the firefighters AWAY from the fire…all in the name of meeting a quota of mass deportations. Please tell me how this is putting “America First”, because I don’t see how this is helping anyone…
Found in a summit register on Shellrock Peak this morning, deep in the William O. Douglas Wilderness of central Washington:
August 9, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Found in a summit register on Shellrock Peak this morning, deep in the William O. Douglas Wilderness of central Washington: