Maxine H
@ceilingcranes.bsky.social
Scientific programmer working on heliophysics and climate NASA missions.
Art: maxinehartnett.com
GitHub @maxinelasp
Artist | software engineer | open source enthusist
Art: maxinehartnett.com
GitHub @maxinelasp
Artist | software engineer | open source enthusist
Pinned
Maxine H
@ceilingcranes.bsky.social
· Apr 29
North St Pats at Steamboat Springs maxinehartnett.com/gallery/fine...
In honor of the best run I took last season while skiing!
In honor of the best run I took last season while skiing!
November 16, 2025 at 9:57 PM
North St Pats at Steamboat Springs maxinehartnett.com/gallery/fine...
In honor of the best run I took last season while skiing!
In honor of the best run I took last season while skiing!
Have you ever looked at a science file format and thought "wow, I wish I had some kind of kitschy t-shirt to talk about how much I love this?
Well, good news.
maxineh.threadless.com/designs/vint...
Well, good news.
maxineh.threadless.com/designs/vint...
November 14, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Have you ever looked at a science file format and thought "wow, I wish I had some kind of kitschy t-shirt to talk about how much I love this?
Well, good news.
maxineh.threadless.com/designs/vint...
Well, good news.
maxineh.threadless.com/designs/vint...
Reposted by Maxine H
Check out this crazy mosaic image of the auroral oval from space on the night of Nov 11-12!
You an can see just how extended the oval was due to the impressive solar storm that impacted and delivered a G4 (Kp 9-) geomagnetic storm - the third strongest of solar cycle 25!
You an can see just how extended the oval was due to the impressive solar storm that impacted and delivered a G4 (Kp 9-) geomagnetic storm - the third strongest of solar cycle 25!
November 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Check out this crazy mosaic image of the auroral oval from space on the night of Nov 11-12!
You an can see just how extended the oval was due to the impressive solar storm that impacted and delivered a G4 (Kp 9-) geomagnetic storm - the third strongest of solar cycle 25!
You an can see just how extended the oval was due to the impressive solar storm that impacted and delivered a G4 (Kp 9-) geomagnetic storm - the third strongest of solar cycle 25!
While in San Antonio for DASH 2025, I got the opportunity to sit and do some plein air painting (or, as maybe we should call it in space science, in situ painting!)
November 12, 2025 at 5:42 PM
While in San Antonio for DASH 2025, I got the opportunity to sit and do some plein air painting (or, as maybe we should call it in space science, in situ painting!)
Reposted by Maxine H
Here is a view of today’s eruption from the Sun, currently en route to Earth. You can see a full ‘halo’ in the data, indicating the plasma is coming our way. You can also see the ‘fuzzy snow’ in the images, caused by particles from the solar flare hitting the camera!
November 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Here is a view of today’s eruption from the Sun, currently en route to Earth. You can see a full ‘halo’ in the data, indicating the plasma is coming our way. You can also see the ‘fuzzy snow’ in the images, caused by particles from the solar flare hitting the camera!
Reposted by Maxine H
uv makes installing and using Python *so* easy! It works on pretty much any computer and it's lightning fast. 🔭☄️ #astrocode
If you're still using conda, pyenv, or... basically any other tool, then I can *highly* recommend switching:
If you're still using conda, pyenv, or... basically any other tool, then I can *highly* recommend switching:
uv is the best thing to happen to the Python ecosystem in a decade - Blog - Dr. Emily L. Hunt
Released in 2024, uv is hands-down the best tool for managing Python installations and dependencies. Here's why.
emily.space
October 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
uv makes installing and using Python *so* easy! It works on pretty much any computer and it's lightning fast. 🔭☄️ #astrocode
If you're still using conda, pyenv, or... basically any other tool, then I can *highly* recommend switching:
If you're still using conda, pyenv, or... basically any other tool, then I can *highly* recommend switching:
Reposted by Maxine H
We worked late tonight coming up with this handy pocket guide to send to NPR.
It doesn't address road design issues, but if we're going to educate road users, we should include drivers.
It doesn't address road design issues, but if we're going to educate road users, we should include drivers.
September 26, 2025 at 5:16 AM
We worked late tonight coming up with this handy pocket guide to send to NPR.
It doesn't address road design issues, but if we're going to educate road users, we should include drivers.
It doesn't address road design issues, but if we're going to educate road users, we should include drivers.
Reposted by Maxine H
🤩🤩🤩
"I once believed love would be burning red...but its golden. Like daylight..." -Taylor Swift
"I once believed love would be burning red...but its golden. Like daylight..." -Taylor Swift
September 24, 2025 at 9:33 PM
🤩🤩🤩
"I once believed love would be burning red...but its golden. Like daylight..." -Taylor Swift
"I once believed love would be burning red...but its golden. Like daylight..." -Taylor Swift
Reposted by Maxine H
🚀 IMAP has launched! When it reaches its orbit 1 million miles from Earth, IMAP will study the Sun, including the LASP-built IDEX instrument that will study interstellar dust. Huge thanks to our partners and the LASP mission team. No one gets to space alone. Congrats, IMAP team! 📸 NASA/LASP
September 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🚀 IMAP has launched! When it reaches its orbit 1 million miles from Earth, IMAP will study the Sun, including the LASP-built IDEX instrument that will study interstellar dust. Huge thanks to our partners and the LASP mission team. No one gets to space alone. Congrats, IMAP team! 📸 NASA/LASP
If you write software for heliophysics - there is still travel funding available for DASH, the conference on Data, Analysis, and Software in Heliophysics. Apply and come talk about software!
dash2025.space.swri.edu
dash2025.space.swri.edu
DASH/IHDEA 2025
The Data, Analysis, and Software in Heliophysics (DASH) will serve as a forum for scientists and software developers to present and discuss algorithms, software, and data systems used throughout Helio...
dash2025.space.swri.edu
August 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
If you write software for heliophysics - there is still travel funding available for DASH, the conference on Data, Analysis, and Software in Heliophysics. Apply and come talk about software!
dash2025.space.swri.edu
dash2025.space.swri.edu
Since I'm going to the IMAP launch in September, I want to make some stickers to give out (like I did at AGU) with a limited edition launch only sticker. Here's what I came up with - was sort of aiming for "so bad it's good" but actually I think it might just be
.. cute? #sciart
.. cute? #sciart
August 17, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Since I'm going to the IMAP launch in September, I want to make some stickers to give out (like I did at AGU) with a limited edition launch only sticker. Here's what I came up with - was sort of aiming for "so bad it's good" but actually I think it might just be
.. cute? #sciart
.. cute? #sciart
I'm starting work on Libera this week. It took a lot of googling to figure out that it's going to be attached to a satellite called JPSS, which made me feel bad, until I talked to my brother and he told me that...
July 30, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I'm starting work on Libera this week. It took a lot of googling to figure out that it's going to be attached to a satellite called JPSS, which made me feel bad, until I talked to my brother and he told me that...
Reposted by Maxine H
Apparently today is World Embroidery Day! So please enjoy my version of the Wonders of the Night Sky, cross stitch and embroidery on navy Aida fabric, pattern by Climbing Goat Designs 🧶 🔭
July 30, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Apparently today is World Embroidery Day! So please enjoy my version of the Wonders of the Night Sky, cross stitch and embroidery on navy Aida fabric, pattern by Climbing Goat Designs 🧶 🔭
I appreciate the discussion of CMEs and X-class flares in the new season of strange new worlds
July 29, 2025 at 1:18 AM
I appreciate the discussion of CMEs and X-class flares in the new season of strange new worlds
Reposted by Maxine H
The House Appropriations Committee markup is the next step in the process to Save American Science. I detailed the devastating nature of the cuts the president proposed here: bsky.app/profile/emex...
I work in space science, so I am most familiar with the proposed cuts and their impacts in my field: a 50% proposed cut to NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Dozens of missions canceled - including many that have already launched and are functioning perfectly. Tens of thousands of jobs.
July 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The House Appropriations Committee markup is the next step in the process to Save American Science. I detailed the devastating nature of the cuts the president proposed here: bsky.app/profile/emex...
Reposted by Maxine H
July 17, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I just discovered these last week inside the frame files I was using and I am definitely obsessed. So delightful!
I see your video game walk thru and raise you a spacecraft reference frame ASCII diagram embedded in the definition file used on the ground for navigation and pointing. I consult diagrams like this a couple of times a month.
July 16, 2025 at 11:08 PM
I just discovered these last week inside the frame files I was using and I am definitely obsessed. So delightful!
Since I work on IMAP on the software side only, I don't get to interact directly with instruments or the spacecraft. This is my way of learning more about it and admiring the people who do get to get hands on! #sciart 🧪☀️
This is a painting of the ULTRA instrument launching on IMAP soon. It will image energetic particles from the edge of the solar system to study how the solar wind interacts with interstellar space.
Part of my IMAP series where I do studies of the spacecraft and the people building it. #IMAPMission
Part of my IMAP series where I do studies of the spacecraft and the people building it. #IMAPMission
July 16, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Since I work on IMAP on the software side only, I don't get to interact directly with instruments or the spacecraft. This is my way of learning more about it and admiring the people who do get to get hands on! #sciart 🧪☀️
This is a painting of the ULTRA instrument launching on IMAP soon. It will image energetic particles from the edge of the solar system to study how the solar wind interacts with interstellar space.
Part of my IMAP series where I do studies of the spacecraft and the people building it. #IMAPMission
Part of my IMAP series where I do studies of the spacecraft and the people building it. #IMAPMission
July 16, 2025 at 10:56 PM
This is a painting of the ULTRA instrument launching on IMAP soon. It will image energetic particles from the edge of the solar system to study how the solar wind interacts with interstellar space.
Part of my IMAP series where I do studies of the spacecraft and the people building it. #IMAPMission
Part of my IMAP series where I do studies of the spacecraft and the people building it. #IMAPMission
Reposted by Maxine H
3/3 But this is still an encouraging early sign that Congress (or at least a bipartisan committee in the Senate) DOES NOT WANT TO SLASH SCIENCE FUNDING.
But we also need to keep up the pressure too!!!
So continue calling your reps especially if you're in an appropriations state or district.
But we also need to keep up the pressure too!!!
So continue calling your reps especially if you're in an appropriations state or district.
Are you from one of these states? Then we need your help to save American science!
The Senate Appropriations Committee will be marking up the President's Budget Request for science on Wednesday. People have been saying the proposed cuts "decimated" US science, but that's wrong: they are apocalyptic
The Senate Appropriations Committee will be marking up the President's Budget Request for science on Wednesday. People have been saying the proposed cuts "decimated" US science, but that's wrong: they are apocalyptic
July 10, 2025 at 12:23 AM
3/3 But this is still an encouraging early sign that Congress (or at least a bipartisan committee in the Senate) DOES NOT WANT TO SLASH SCIENCE FUNDING.
But we also need to keep up the pressure too!!!
So continue calling your reps especially if you're in an appropriations state or district.
But we also need to keep up the pressure too!!!
So continue calling your reps especially if you're in an appropriations state or district.
Reposted by Maxine H
Read this.
And then call your Senator and tell them to save NASA science.
www.planetary.org/articles/sci...
And then call your Senator and tell them to save NASA science.
www.planetary.org/articles/sci...
Scientists behind threatened NASA missions explain what’s at stake
Here is what they have to say, in their own words.
www.planetary.org
July 8, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Read this.
And then call your Senator and tell them to save NASA science.
www.planetary.org/articles/sci...
And then call your Senator and tell them to save NASA science.
www.planetary.org/articles/sci...
Playlist for being a US scientist rn:
Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads
American Idiot by Green Day
Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
The Writings on the Wall by OK Go
I Bet on Losing Dogs by Mitski
Hard Times by Paramore
All Things End by Hozier
Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads
American Idiot by Green Day
Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
The Writings on the Wall by OK Go
I Bet on Losing Dogs by Mitski
Hard Times by Paramore
All Things End by Hozier
June 25, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Playlist for being a US scientist rn:
Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads
American Idiot by Green Day
Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
The Writings on the Wall by OK Go
I Bet on Losing Dogs by Mitski
Hard Times by Paramore
All Things End by Hozier
Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads
American Idiot by Green Day
Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
The Writings on the Wall by OK Go
I Bet on Losing Dogs by Mitski
Hard Times by Paramore
All Things End by Hozier
I did this watercolor based off a plein air piece I did last year. When I finished, I opened up another block of paper and found a 90% finished painting of the same scene. The problem is I like this version better! Should I finish the worse iteration and give one away...? Not sure. Vail, CO
June 15, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I did this watercolor based off a plein air piece I did last year. When I finished, I opened up another block of paper and found a 90% finished painting of the same scene. The problem is I like this version better! Should I finish the worse iteration and give one away...? Not sure. Vail, CO
Reposted by Maxine H
The NASA planetary science fleet chart if the president’s budget is enacted.
May 30, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The NASA planetary science fleet chart if the president’s budget is enacted.
NASA budget is very dire. It would cancel/indefinitely pause 3 of the missions that my team is running (including MMS and MAVEN). The two missions I'm on will survive at full budget, but that would pretty much have my career dead in the water once they end in mid 2026 unless a miracle happens...
May 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
NASA budget is very dire. It would cancel/indefinitely pause 3 of the missions that my team is running (including MMS and MAVEN). The two missions I'm on will survive at full budget, but that would pretty much have my career dead in the water once they end in mid 2026 unless a miracle happens...