Chad Bender
@chadfbender.bsky.social
Astronomer at University of Arizona's Steward Observatory. Instrument builder: LFAST, NEID, HPF. Building giant telescopes! Hobbyist woodworker. Decent vinyl collection.
Reposted by Chad Bender
Picard management tip: Ignore rules that make no sense.
November 14, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Picard management tip: Ignore rules that make no sense.
This will kill federally funded STEM research, which will basically kill all research. The science community is intertwined, and cannot be separated like this. Nor is it necessary - there are already expert controls in place to prevent transfers of sensitive information.
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:03 AM
This will kill federally funded STEM research, which will basically kill all research. The science community is intertwined, and cannot be separated like this. Nor is it necessary - there are already expert controls in place to prevent transfers of sensitive information.
Reposted by Chad Bender
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 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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.
Reposted by Chad Bender
i’m excited to announce that i am hiring (again)!
i am looking for a postdoc in computational astrophysics that’s excited about models of stellar transients and multi-messenger astronomy to join my group (star stuff @ steward) at @uarizona.bsky.social!
apply here ✨💥: aas.org/jobregister/...
i am looking for a postdoc in computational astrophysics that’s excited about models of stellar transients and multi-messenger astronomy to join my group (star stuff @ steward) at @uarizona.bsky.social!
apply here ✨💥: aas.org/jobregister/...
Postdoctoral Research Associate I Computational Stellar Astrophysics (Steward Observatory) | American Astronomical Society
The University of Arizona (U of A) Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory (SO) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The successful candidate will work with Professor Ca...
aas.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:25 PM
i’m excited to announce that i am hiring (again)!
i am looking for a postdoc in computational astrophysics that’s excited about models of stellar transients and multi-messenger astronomy to join my group (star stuff @ steward) at @uarizona.bsky.social!
apply here ✨💥: aas.org/jobregister/...
i am looking for a postdoc in computational astrophysics that’s excited about models of stellar transients and multi-messenger astronomy to join my group (star stuff @ steward) at @uarizona.bsky.social!
apply here ✨💥: aas.org/jobregister/...
Genuinely confused: How can the (as seen on tv) cleaning product 'Alien Power' be 'Made in the USA'? They are lying about something ...
November 8, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Genuinely confused: How can the (as seen on tv) cleaning product 'Alien Power' be 'Made in the USA'? They are lying about something ...
Called Ciscomani's office this morning to yell about the ATC situation, and someone actually picked up the phone on the first ring. Sadly, the staffer appeared to be channeling Mike Johnson's "I don't know anything, head in the sand" vibe.
November 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Called Ciscomani's office this morning to yell about the ATC situation, and someone actually picked up the phone on the first ring. Sadly, the staffer appeared to be channeling Mike Johnson's "I don't know anything, head in the sand" vibe.
Reposted by Chad Bender
How long until pitchers & catchers?
November 2, 2025 at 4:20 AM
How long until pitchers & catchers?
When they successfully block protests then they've won. A reminder to everyone: youtu.be/d-7o9xYp7eE?...
For Star subscribers: When it comes to protests against ICE tactics, the federal government is working to frame free speech and assembly as incipient domestic terrorism.
Tim Steller's column: Feds trying to criminalize protest in Tucson, elsewhere
For Star subscribers: When it comes to protests against ICE tactics, the federal government is working to frame free speech and assembly as incipient domestic terrorism.
tucson.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:39 PM
When they successfully block protests then they've won. A reminder to everyone: youtu.be/d-7o9xYp7eE?...
I think someone at Safeway misordered the canned peppers...
October 21, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I think someone at Safeway misordered the canned peppers...
A lovely day to fly across the middle of the country, and working DirectTV on United to boot meant I could simultaneously watch clouds and NE football. Go Big Red
October 11, 2025 at 9:53 PM
A lovely day to fly across the middle of the country, and working DirectTV on United to boot meant I could simultaneously watch clouds and NE football. Go Big Red
Reposted by Chad Bender
Brief life update: On Monday I resigned from my appointment at Lowell Observatory. I wish my remaining friends and colleagues the best of luckin their endeavors in increasing new visitor center visitation, and continuing to pursue world-class research in the face of having ended tenure today.
October 10, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Brief life update: On Monday I resigned from my appointment at Lowell Observatory. I wish my remaining friends and colleagues the best of luckin their endeavors in increasing new visitor center visitation, and continuing to pursue world-class research in the face of having ended tenure today.
Reposted by Chad Bender
UT Austin Astro is hiring! It's an open call, but definitely interested in getting another exoplanet person! Feel free to reach out with any questions about the department or living in Austin! aas.org/jobregister/...
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Astronomy | American Astronomical Society
The Department of Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level to begin in August 2026. We welcome applicati...
aas.org
October 1, 2025 at 5:16 PM
UT Austin Astro is hiring! It's an open call, but definitely interested in getting another exoplanet person! Feel free to reach out with any questions about the department or living in Austin! aas.org/jobregister/...
Reposted by Chad Bender
For those frantically trying to submit their Gemini proposals tonight, it’s broken:
www.gemini.edu/news/science...
www.gemini.edu/news/science...
Gemini Proposal Server Offline
A network outage in Chile has caused a loss of connectivity to our backend servers for proposals for 2026A. We do not know at this stage how long it will take to restore the service. We will update he...
www.gemini.edu
October 1, 2025 at 3:06 AM
For those frantically trying to submit their Gemini proposals tonight, it’s broken:
www.gemini.edu/news/science...
www.gemini.edu/news/science...
Led Zep new live EP recommended! (But you've got to turn the volume up to "live" levels to really appreciate it). (N.B. The cats do not appreciate it)
September 30, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Led Zep new live EP recommended! (But you've got to turn the volume up to "live" levels to really appreciate it). (N.B. The cats do not appreciate it)
Reposted by Chad Bender
Today is when those of us in the Eastern Unorthodox denomination celebrate the Feast of Bratwurst, I know our cousins in the Colorado Synod are also celebrating today. I believe the Tucson Sect has a few weeks yet.
I’m not aware of other congregations this year, but I may not be plugged in!
I’m not aware of other congregations this year, but I may not be plugged in!
Happy BratfEast! As @asrivkin.bsky.social calls it, one of the High Holy Days of Planetary Science :)
a hot dog is being launched into the sky
Alt: a hot dog is being launched into the sky
media.tenor.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Today is when those of us in the Eastern Unorthodox denomination celebrate the Feast of Bratwurst, I know our cousins in the Colorado Synod are also celebrating today. I believe the Tucson Sect has a few weeks yet.
I’m not aware of other congregations this year, but I may not be plugged in!
I’m not aware of other congregations this year, but I may not be plugged in!
Good thing I make my own furniture.
September 26, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Good thing I make my own furniture.
Reposted by Chad Bender
Picard engineering tip: Maintenance of existing systems is just as important as building new capabilities.
September 16, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Picard engineering tip: Maintenance of existing systems is just as important as building new capabilities.
Donated to this effort...
Fighting back feels good! Go support Climate.us! Every $1 makes a difference. If you can't donate, you can always share!
September 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Donated to this effort...
Virgil is a true Labor Day hero
September 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Virgil is a true Labor Day hero
Reposted by Chad Bender
Judge Sooknanan: As I said at the start of this hearing, I got a call at 2:36 am [last night] because the government chose the wee hours of the morning on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to execute a plan to move these children. That's why we're here.
August 31, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Judge Sooknanan: As I said at the start of this hearing, I got a call at 2:36 am [last night] because the government chose the wee hours of the morning on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to execute a plan to move these children. That's why we're here.
Commercials during tonights AZ game seem to have two main themes: 1) Visit Disney, and 2) Buy pot. Quite a combination.
August 31, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Commercials during tonights AZ game seem to have two main themes: 1) Visit Disney, and 2) Buy pot. Quite a combination.
Arizona stadium looks half empty for the opening game tonight. I almost bought tickets this morning, but the crazy $15 fee on a $15 ticket caused me to just close the webpage. I'll be content watching on TV. I cannot figure out how the athletics dept will loose less money if the seats are empty.
August 31, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Arizona stadium looks half empty for the opening game tonight. I almost bought tickets this morning, but the crazy $15 fee on a $15 ticket caused me to just close the webpage. I'll be content watching on TV. I cannot figure out how the athletics dept will loose less money if the seats are empty.
Reposted by Chad Bender
I know there's a lot happening today, but this is sneaking in under the radar. This proposed new rule would absolutely crush foreign PhD students, potentially making it impossible for them to enroll with any certainty of their ability to finish www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
August 28, 2025 at 3:29 AM
I know there's a lot happening today, but this is sneaking in under the radar. This proposed new rule would absolutely crush foreign PhD students, potentially making it impossible for them to enroll with any certainty of their ability to finish www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
Reposted by Chad Bender
At #ExoPAG32, Shawn Domagal-Goldman (acting astrophysics director) states that at *minimum*, 10% of the topline NASA astrophysics budget, whatever it ends up being, will be earmarked for the research and analysis (R&A) programs, with a focus on early career scientists.
August 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
At #ExoPAG32, Shawn Domagal-Goldman (acting astrophysics director) states that at *minimum*, 10% of the topline NASA astrophysics budget, whatever it ends up being, will be earmarked for the research and analysis (R&A) programs, with a focus on early career scientists.
Next time I dive into my pool, I'm going to have to remember to make a grunt as I go airborne.
Watching this video 10 times has significantly improved my mood.
August 17, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Next time I dive into my pool, I'm going to have to remember to make a grunt as I go airborne.