Bruce Macintosh
@bmacastro.bsky.social
Astronomer working on imaging extrasolar planets, instrumentation, and science policy. Spare time involves hiking with a golden retriever, and not playing enough boardgames.
Director, University of California Observatories, but opinions are my own. He/him
Director, University of California Observatories, but opinions are my own. He/him
Special exception for people who work in quantum optics
November 13, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Special exception for people who work in quantum optics
I won't be attend because my life/schedule is an ongoing nightmare, but I am very sorry to miss seeing you receive your award - congratulations again!
November 8, 2025 at 12:47 AM
I won't be attend because my life/schedule is an ongoing nightmare, but I am very sorry to miss seeing you receive your award - congratulations again!
(And as you note you'd also need to know how much nitrogen is in the home planet atmosphere; though if it's even remotely earth like it would be mostly nitrogen, and the difference between 60% N and 90% N would not be the biggest uncertainty in C14 production.)
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
(And as you note you'd also need to know how much nitrogen is in the home planet atmosphere; though if it's even remotely earth like it would be mostly nitrogen, and the difference between 60% N and 90% N would not be the biggest uncertainty in C14 production.)
How old is this hypothetical alien spacecraft? Carbon 14 is good tens of thousands of years back - there are other radio-dating methods that work on longer timescales.
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
How old is this hypothetical alien spacecraft? Carbon 14 is good tens of thousands of years back - there are other radio-dating methods that work on longer timescales.
It'd be somewhat hard. On Earth, carbon-14 is created by cosmic rays impacting the Earth's upper atmosphere. The cosmic ray rate could be different on another planet depending on where in the galaxy it is, strength of its magnetic field, etc, so the initial amount of C-14 could be different
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
It'd be somewhat hard. On Earth, carbon-14 is created by cosmic rays impacting the Earth's upper atmosphere. The cosmic ray rate could be different on another planet depending on where in the galaxy it is, strength of its magnetic field, etc, so the initial amount of C-14 could be different
Excellent points!
November 1, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Excellent points!
What can JUICE see that we can't measure from Earth?
November 1, 2025 at 7:46 PM
What can JUICE see that we can't measure from Earth?
I want one of those hats
October 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I want one of those hats
October 29, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Kind of like people hunting for exoplanets in 1994.
October 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Kind of like people hunting for exoplanets in 1994.
This is going to sound corny, but to me, @ucmerced.bsky.social 's vibe was...hopeful. Building something excellent and new for the very best of reasons, to teach the students of California.
Also the adorable bobcat is now tied with the UCSC slug for my favorite UC mascot.
Also the adorable bobcat is now tied with the UCSC slug for my favorite UC mascot.
October 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
This is going to sound corny, but to me, @ucmerced.bsky.social 's vibe was...hopeful. Building something excellent and new for the very best of reasons, to teach the students of California.
Also the adorable bobcat is now tied with the UCSC slug for my favorite UC mascot.
Also the adorable bobcat is now tied with the UCSC slug for my favorite UC mascot.
WIth this visit I've now been to all 9 UC campuses that use our telescopes. Every campus has its own distinct architectural style and vibe from UCSD's postmodernism to Berkeley's physically concentrated academic density.
October 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
WIth this visit I've now been to all 9 UC campuses that use our telescopes. Every campus has its own distinct architectural style and vibe from UCSD's postmodernism to Berkeley's physically concentrated academic density.