Connor Rosenthal
@astrosenthal.bsky.social
Exoplanet researcher, fantasy nerd, voted most likely to die first in a horror movie. Cornell ‘25, now a post-bacc researcher at UMich! astrosenthal.github.io
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
The first two hours this morning
January 5, 2026 at 11:21 AM
The first two hours this morning
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
"are you enjoying duo mobile" does a hamburger enjoy being made of quarks. does a fish enjoy linear time. does the mountain enjoy the first taste of a cup of hot chocolate when you get back to the ski lodge. your question means nothing to me. i couldn't enjoy duo mobile even if i tried
December 3, 2025 at 7:36 PM
"are you enjoying duo mobile" does a hamburger enjoy being made of quarks. does a fish enjoy linear time. does the mountain enjoy the first taste of a cup of hot chocolate when you get back to the ski lodge. your question means nothing to me. i couldn't enjoy duo mobile even if i tried
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
Another STUNNING image from JWST, this time of the Red Spider Nebula—the vast, wispy, gaseous remains of a now-dead star, the white dwarf core still glowing in the centre.
October 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Another STUNNING image from JWST, this time of the Red Spider Nebula—the vast, wispy, gaseous remains of a now-dead star, the white dwarf core still glowing in the centre.
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
“Calling genAI a “tool” has become the standard way of referring to what is, in fact, a political technology. Tools are seen as neutral and unaccountable. This notion rests on several false assumptions:”
Andrea Reyes Elizondo @altibel.bsky.social and I have responded to a blog, recently published on @leidenmadtrics.bsky.social, which argued that using AI responsibly in research means being transparent about it. We object that supposed transparency obscures more fundamental ethical questions.
Why AI transparency is not enough
Recently, a taxonomy to disclose the use of generative AI (genAI) in research outputs was presented as an approach that creates transparency and thereby supports responsible genAI use. In this post we...
www.leidenmadtrics.nl
October 15, 2025 at 12:27 PM
“Calling genAI a “tool” has become the standard way of referring to what is, in fact, a political technology. Tools are seen as neutral and unaccountable. This notion rests on several false assumptions:”
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
"In a landmark study, OpenAI researchers reveal that large language models will always produce plausible but false outputs, even with perfect data, due to fundamental statistical and computational limits."
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
OpenAI admits AI hallucinations are mathematically inevitable, not just engineering flaws
In a landmark study, OpenAI researchers reveal that large language models will always produce plausible but false outputs, even with perfect data, due to fundamental statistical and computational limi...
www.computerworld.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:50 PM
"In a landmark study, OpenAI researchers reveal that large language models will always produce plausible but false outputs, even with perfect data, due to fundamental statistical and computational limits."
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
We observed the habitable zone planet TRAPPIST-1e with JWST to search for an atmosphere.
You've seen the headlines, now let's dive into the science! 🧪
THREAD (1/N)
#Exoplanets 🔭
You've seen the headlines, now let's dive into the science! 🧪
THREAD (1/N)
#Exoplanets 🔭
A rocky planet in its star’s ‘habitable zone’ could be the first known to have an atmosphere – here’s what we found
The largest telescope in space has been trained on a rocky exoplanet.
theconversation.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:14 PM
We observed the habitable zone planet TRAPPIST-1e with JWST to search for an atmosphere.
You've seen the headlines, now let's dive into the science! 🧪
THREAD (1/N)
#Exoplanets 🔭
You've seen the headlines, now let's dive into the science! 🧪
THREAD (1/N)
#Exoplanets 🔭
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
I need Democratic online types to understand that because of this, Newsom is dead to me. Dead. I'd sooner vote for an actual corpse. There is no hope, none, that he'll win me over, *because he has established he is a bad person*. There's no coming back from this. Take my advice and move the fuck on.
1. This morning, California Governor said he was in "complete alignment" with anti-LGBTQ+ hate-influencer Charlie Kirk of TPUSA on transgender sports.
He also conceded on trans inmates and gender affirming care for youth.
It's so much worse than being reported.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
He also conceded on trans inmates and gender affirming care for youth.
It's so much worse than being reported.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
CA Gov Gavin Newsom "Completely Aligns" With Charlie Kirk On Trans Issues In Podcast
The California Governor, in the launch of his new podcast, announced that he completely aligned with far-right, ant-LGBTQ+ influencer Charlie Kirk on sports, and agreed on prisons and youth care.
www.erininthemorning.com
August 23, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I need Democratic online types to understand that because of this, Newsom is dead to me. Dead. I'd sooner vote for an actual corpse. There is no hope, none, that he'll win me over, *because he has established he is a bad person*. There's no coming back from this. Take my advice and move the fuck on.
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
It is so funny to me that people have been wailing and gnashing their teeth about this game coming out for over half a decade and throwing absolute fits and meanwhile the devs were having about the healthiest work environment you could imagine and just enjoying life. RULES.
August 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It is so funny to me that people have been wailing and gnashing their teeth about this game coming out for over half a decade and throwing absolute fits and meanwhile the devs were having about the healthiest work environment you could imagine and just enjoying life. RULES.
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
Here is M16, the Eagle Nebula! The photo was produced by three CAS members on June 25th, stacked from 184 x 30-second frames. 🔭
The exposures were taken using the 102-year-old f/15 Irving P. Church 12" Refractor at the Fuertes Observatory, stacked in Siril and post-processed in Photoshop.
The exposures were taken using the 102-year-old f/15 Irving P. Church 12" Refractor at the Fuertes Observatory, stacked in Siril and post-processed in Photoshop.
July 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Here is M16, the Eagle Nebula! The photo was produced by three CAS members on June 25th, stacked from 184 x 30-second frames. 🔭
The exposures were taken using the 102-year-old f/15 Irving P. Church 12" Refractor at the Fuertes Observatory, stacked in Siril and post-processed in Photoshop.
The exposures were taken using the 102-year-old f/15 Irving P. Church 12" Refractor at the Fuertes Observatory, stacked in Siril and post-processed in Photoshop.
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
Pluto at Fuertes Observatory 🔭
Taken through the 102-year-old Irving Porter Church Refractor
Image taken by Ben Jacobson-Bell & The Cornell Astronomical Society
Taken through the 102-year-old Irving Porter Church Refractor
Image taken by Ben Jacobson-Bell & The Cornell Astronomical Society
July 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Pluto at Fuertes Observatory 🔭
Taken through the 102-year-old Irving Porter Church Refractor
Image taken by Ben Jacobson-Bell & The Cornell Astronomical Society
Taken through the 102-year-old Irving Porter Church Refractor
Image taken by Ben Jacobson-Bell & The Cornell Astronomical Society
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
And after a finally clear evening (with no camera issues) of observing, here is the Cornell Astronomical Society's latest photo of M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy!
This is 11 3-minute exposures, stacked, taken through the Irving P. Church 12-inch refractor at the Cornell University Fuertes Observatory.
This is 11 3-minute exposures, stacked, taken through the Irving P. Church 12-inch refractor at the Cornell University Fuertes Observatory.
June 23, 2025 at 4:42 AM
And after a finally clear evening (with no camera issues) of observing, here is the Cornell Astronomical Society's latest photo of M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy!
This is 11 3-minute exposures, stacked, taken through the Irving P. Church 12-inch refractor at the Cornell University Fuertes Observatory.
This is 11 3-minute exposures, stacked, taken through the Irving P. Church 12-inch refractor at the Cornell University Fuertes Observatory.
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
I expect that consumer-facing AI programs will continue to improve and they may become much more useful tools for everyday life in the future.
But I think it was a disastrous mistake that today’s models were taught to be convincing before they were taught to be right.
But I think it was a disastrous mistake that today’s models were taught to be convincing before they were taught to be right.
June 19, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I expect that consumer-facing AI programs will continue to improve and they may become much more useful tools for everyday life in the future.
But I think it was a disastrous mistake that today’s models were taught to be convincing before they were taught to be right.
But I think it was a disastrous mistake that today’s models were taught to be convincing before they were taught to be right.
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
Yeah, our field does get a little creative with our 'classification' schemes (it helps with better paper and proposal titles 😅)
June 17, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Yeah, our field does get a little creative with our 'classification' schemes (it helps with better paper and proposal titles 😅)
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
I've seen folks talk about how "in four years" they'll be able to get back to their planned projects and I really don't think that's going to work out. People & projects losing funding now will not be able to hit pause and come back once funding is restored. Hard-won progress & capacity will be lost
I worry that not enough of a big deal is being made about how long-term the devastation of these budget cuts to our scientific and health agencies will be, beyond the absolute ruin they will cause in the acute period.
June 3, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I've seen folks talk about how "in four years" they'll be able to get back to their planned projects and I really don't think that's going to work out. People & projects losing funding now will not be able to hit pause and come back once funding is restored. Hard-won progress & capacity will be lost
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
Ready for the latest K2-18b drama?
Madhusudhan is claiming *even stronger* evidence of DMS after analysing both near-infrared and mid-infrared JWST data. But another study finds no evidence at all.
Read on for a quick update on everyone's f̶a̶v̶o̶u̶r̶i̶t̶e most newsworthy exoplanet. 🧵
#exoplanets 🔭
Madhusudhan is claiming *even stronger* evidence of DMS after analysing both near-infrared and mid-infrared JWST data. But another study finds no evidence at all.
Read on for a quick update on everyone's f̶a̶v̶o̶u̶r̶i̶t̶e most newsworthy exoplanet. 🧵
#exoplanets 🔭
Astronomers double down on claim of strongest evidence for alien life
Are there aliens living on the exoplanet K2-18b? Some astronomers believe they have evidence for molecules on the planet that must have a biological origin, but others disagree
www.newscientist.com
May 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Ready for the latest K2-18b drama?
Madhusudhan is claiming *even stronger* evidence of DMS after analysing both near-infrared and mid-infrared JWST data. But another study finds no evidence at all.
Read on for a quick update on everyone's f̶a̶v̶o̶u̶r̶i̶t̶e most newsworthy exoplanet. 🧵
#exoplanets 🔭
Madhusudhan is claiming *even stronger* evidence of DMS after analysing both near-infrared and mid-infrared JWST data. But another study finds no evidence at all.
Read on for a quick update on everyone's f̶a̶v̶o̶u̶r̶i̶t̶e most newsworthy exoplanet. 🧵
#exoplanets 🔭
It was a very cool talk, talking about K2-18b has been such a good case study on responsible science communication!
Thank you to former CSI researcher Dr. Ryan MacDonald @distantworlds.space for the insightful presentation at CSI's coffee hour last week!
Dr. MacDonald's team has re-analyzed earlier data, finding no evidence for life on K2-18 b: arxiv.org/abs/2501.18477
Read more below!
Dr. MacDonald's team has re-analyzed earlier data, finding no evidence for life on K2-18 b: arxiv.org/abs/2501.18477
Read more below!
May 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
It was a very cool talk, talking about K2-18b has been such a good case study on responsible science communication!
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
Today is the birthday (in 1900) of Cecilia Payne, the astronomer who wrote what some historians call the most important PhD thesis in astronomy -- showing that stars were made mostly of hydrogen and helium.
#astronomy #astroedu #astronomyhistory #historyofscience #womenastronomers #womeninscience
#astronomy #astroedu #astronomyhistory #historyofscience #womenastronomers #womeninscience
May 10, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Today is the birthday (in 1900) of Cecilia Payne, the astronomer who wrote what some historians call the most important PhD thesis in astronomy -- showing that stars were made mostly of hydrogen and helium.
#astronomy #astroedu #astronomyhistory #historyofscience #womenastronomers #womeninscience
#astronomy #astroedu #astronomyhistory #historyofscience #womenastronomers #womeninscience
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
The @science.org journalists have an update on the recent claim to have found DMS in the atmosphere of #exoplanet K2-18b - explaining some of the community backlash 🔭🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
May 10, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The @science.org journalists have an update on the recent claim to have found DMS in the atmosphere of #exoplanet K2-18b - explaining some of the community backlash 🔭🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
A Chicago Pope implies the existence of an MLA Pope and APA Pope
May 8, 2025 at 5:36 PM
A Chicago Pope implies the existence of an MLA Pope and APA Pope
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
new pope bringing correct pizza opinions to the vatican -R
May 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM
new pope bringing correct pizza opinions to the vatican -R
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
personally would like to see every store show what part of the price increase is due to tariffs bc if these tariffs ever come down, i need to see that price go right back down
April 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
personally would like to see every store show what part of the price increase is due to tariffs bc if these tariffs ever come down, i need to see that price go right back down
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
𝗡𝗼, 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝟮-𝟭𝟴𝗯'𝘀 𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.
K2-18b is back in the news, now with a bold claim that biosignature molecules (DMS and/or DMDS) have been 'detected at 3σ'.
Most exoplanet astronomers are extremely sceptical about these claims, let's see why (1/n).
🔭🧪🪐 #exoplanet
K2-18b is back in the news, now with a bold claim that biosignature molecules (DMS and/or DMDS) have been 'detected at 3σ'.
Most exoplanet astronomers are extremely sceptical about these claims, let's see why (1/n).
🔭🧪🪐 #exoplanet
April 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
𝗡𝗼, 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝟮-𝟭𝟴𝗯'𝘀 𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.
K2-18b is back in the news, now with a bold claim that biosignature molecules (DMS and/or DMDS) have been 'detected at 3σ'.
Most exoplanet astronomers are extremely sceptical about these claims, let's see why (1/n).
🔭🧪🪐 #exoplanet
K2-18b is back in the news, now with a bold claim that biosignature molecules (DMS and/or DMDS) have been 'detected at 3σ'.
Most exoplanet astronomers are extremely sceptical about these claims, let's see why (1/n).
🔭🧪🪐 #exoplanet
Reposted by Connor Rosenthal
Wondering about the "signature of life" found beyond our Solar System? I wrote a thread for the Carl Sagan Institute critiquing the evidence for exoplanet K2-18 b:
Has JWST found life on another world? 🔭
An analysis of exoplanet K2-18 b points to the existence of dimethyl sulfide, a molecule produced by photosynthesizing plankton on Earth—but proving that this sign is real, and that life is the only explanation, is a difficult task.
arxiv.org/abs/2504.12267
An analysis of exoplanet K2-18 b points to the existence of dimethyl sulfide, a molecule produced by photosynthesizing plankton on Earth—but proving that this sign is real, and that life is the only explanation, is a difficult task.
arxiv.org/abs/2504.12267
April 21, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Wondering about the "signature of life" found beyond our Solar System? I wrote a thread for the Carl Sagan Institute critiquing the evidence for exoplanet K2-18 b: