CosmoQuest
@cosmoquest.org
Explore our universe. Map other worlds. Put science in your brain. Home to Escape Velocity Space News, AstronomyCast, 365 Days of Astronomy, Vision Cosmica. Support indie science journalism at patreon.com/cosmoquestx.
This is a script writing/recording week for Escape Velocity Space News, & the pile of news waiting to be written had one hell of a moisture problem. Our world is a planet, planets are space science, and this makes Climate Change our beat.
Are you ready to watch the world melt?
Are you ready to watch the world melt?
November 11, 2025 at 9:27 PM
This is a script writing/recording week for Escape Velocity Space News, & the pile of news waiting to be written had one hell of a moisture problem. Our world is a planet, planets are space science, and this makes Climate Change our beat.
Are you ready to watch the world melt?
Are you ready to watch the world melt?
We're super pleased to share that we are now orbiting among the amazing creatives in the Patreon Creator Ambassadors program! If you haven't checked out our page lately, you're missing out on a ton of free content. Visit patreon.com/CosmoQuestX. Like what you see? Join as a patron as you are able.
November 5, 2025 at 1:28 AM
We're super pleased to share that we are now orbiting among the amazing creatives in the Patreon Creator Ambassadors program! If you haven't checked out our page lately, you're missing out on a ton of free content. Visit patreon.com/CosmoQuestX. Like what you see? Join as a patron as you are able.
We're getting ready to go live mapping the Moon (as one does). Watch Pamela and team scientist Kirby Runyon map Lunar Melt on twtich.tv/CosmoQuestX and then do your own mapping at mappers.psi.edu
November 4, 2025 at 8:03 PM
We're getting ready to go live mapping the Moon (as one does). Watch Pamela and team scientist Kirby Runyon map Lunar Melt on twtich.tv/CosmoQuestX and then do your own mapping at mappers.psi.edu
Tomorrow is a double feature! First up, Dr Jenny Larson to talk joins us to talk about using science fiction to teach science fact, then @starstryder.space & @inaneenglish.bsky.social are calling out 9-1-1 for its science that looks so bad it's not even wrong (because it's not even science).
October 9, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Tomorrow is a double feature! First up, Dr Jenny Larson to talk joins us to talk about using science fiction to teach science fact, then @starstryder.space & @inaneenglish.bsky.social are calling out 9-1-1 for its science that looks so bad it's not even wrong (because it's not even science).
It's stream time! Join Pamela for the Daily Grind: Twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
October 7, 2025 at 7:22 PM
It's stream time! Join Pamela for the Daily Grind: Twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
All our planes to celebrate 100 Hours of Astronomy and International Observe the Moon night got delayed along with Pamela's Saturday afternoon plane.
But the science must go on! Join us for this belated stream, and learn about our new Lunar Melt project.
But the science must go on! Join us for this belated stream, and learn about our new Lunar Melt project.
October 6, 2025 at 7:44 PM
All our planes to celebrate 100 Hours of Astronomy and International Observe the Moon night got delayed along with Pamela's Saturday afternoon plane.
But the science must go on! Join us for this belated stream, and learn about our new Lunar Melt project.
But the science must go on! Join us for this belated stream, and learn about our new Lunar Melt project.
Swinging over to competitor number 2, #Thortveitite, we find a mouthful of letters & a story that made us smile.
Per mindat.org, Thortveitite was "Named in 1911 by Jakob Grubbe Cock Schetelig in honour of Gunder Olaus Olsen Thortveit, a feldspar and mineral exporter from Iveland, Norway.
Per mindat.org, Thortveitite was "Named in 1911 by Jakob Grubbe Cock Schetelig in honour of Gunder Olaus Olsen Thortveit, a feldspar and mineral exporter from Iveland, Norway.
September 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Swinging over to competitor number 2, #Thortveitite, we find a mouthful of letters & a story that made us smile.
Per mindat.org, Thortveitite was "Named in 1911 by Jakob Grubbe Cock Schetelig in honour of Gunder Olaus Olsen Thortveit, a feldspar and mineral exporter from Iveland, Norway.
Per mindat.org, Thortveitite was "Named in 1911 by Jakob Grubbe Cock Schetelig in honour of Gunder Olaus Olsen Thortveit, a feldspar and mineral exporter from Iveland, Norway.
BTW @starstryder.space would like you to know that geologists use way more unique words than astronomers. The paragraph in this screen capture from the USGS page on Thortveitite had us googling all the terms. All. The. Terms.
How is melagabbro a real word?
www.usgs.gov/publications...
How is melagabbro a real word?
www.usgs.gov/publications...
September 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
BTW @starstryder.space would like you to know that geologists use way more unique words than astronomers. The paragraph in this screen capture from the USGS page on Thortveitite had us googling all the terms. All. The. Terms.
How is melagabbro a real word?
www.usgs.gov/publications...
How is melagabbro a real word?
www.usgs.gov/publications...
#Tugtupite is another messy molecule: Na4AlBeSi4O12Cl. While it is a crystal, it is also not one to grow into gemstones on a regular basis. Instead, it forms amazing pink mottled minerals that are hard enough to be cut and used in jewelry. This mineral isn't just a pretty face. It's also a show off.
September 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
#Tugtupite is another messy molecule: Na4AlBeSi4O12Cl. While it is a crystal, it is also not one to grow into gemstones on a regular basis. Instead, it forms amazing pink mottled minerals that are hard enough to be cut and used in jewelry. This mineral isn't just a pretty face. It's also a show off.
September 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Pollucite is named after Pollux (from myth not astro) due to its habit of forming near petalite, which is deadnamed Castorite. While its name no longer makes as much sense, we appreciate its origin story. This is a really complex mineral, (Cs,Na)2Al2Si4O12·2H2O, that can crystallize (badly).
September 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Pollucite is named after Pollux (from myth not astro) due to its habit of forming near petalite, which is deadnamed Castorite. While its name no longer makes as much sense, we appreciate its origin story. This is a really complex mineral, (Cs,Na)2Al2Si4O12·2H2O, that can crystallize (badly).
In about 10 minutes, @starstryder.space is going live with the first Full Moon Science Discord, hosted on the Starfront Observatory Discord. Catch it all in 10...9...8...
discord.gg/3ut6a7pfsY
discord.gg/3ut6a7pfsY
September 7, 2025 at 11:53 PM
In about 10 minutes, @starstryder.space is going live with the first Full Moon Science Discord, hosted on the Starfront Observatory Discord. Catch it all in 10...9...8...
discord.gg/3ut6a7pfsY
discord.gg/3ut6a7pfsY
Let's dig in on #Carpathite. With it's planer structure, it looks like the frosting in a poorly constructed layer cake when viewed in sliced rocks. Hit it with UV light, & it will fluoresce back with blue light. Made of C24H12, Carpathite is pure coronene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH).
September 7, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Let's dig in on #Carpathite. With it's planer structure, it looks like the frosting in a poorly constructed layer cake when viewed in sliced rocks. Hit it with UV light, & it will fluoresce back with blue light. Made of C24H12, Carpathite is pure coronene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH).
There are office hours today with @starstryder.space . Link is at Patreon.com/CosmoQuestX and in the Discord. Starts in about 50min.
May 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
There are office hours today with @starstryder.space . Link is at Patreon.com/CosmoQuestX and in the Discord. Starts in about 50min.
Join us to watch another Commercial Moon Lander Launch.
Intuitive Machines IM2 goes live in 15min. Join our Watch Party on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
Intuitive Machines IM2 goes live in 15min. Join our Watch Party on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
February 26, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Join us to watch another Commercial Moon Lander Launch.
Intuitive Machines IM2 goes live in 15min. Join our Watch Party on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
Intuitive Machines IM2 goes live in 15min. Join our Watch Party on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
It's GivingTuesday
Currently, we're on track with our minimum funding goal and we can keep our part-time team paid if we hit $112,000 for the year.
But we'd all like to be full-time. To do that we need to raise $400,000
A team can dream.
Give if you're able: Bit.ly/CQX-FY24part-time
Currently, we're on track with our minimum funding goal and we can keep our part-time team paid if we hit $112,000 for the year.
But we'd all like to be full-time. To do that we need to raise $400,000
A team can dream.
Give if you're able: Bit.ly/CQX-FY24part-time
December 3, 2024 at 10:15 PM
It's GivingTuesday
Currently, we're on track with our minimum funding goal and we can keep our part-time team paid if we hit $112,000 for the year.
But we'd all like to be full-time. To do that we need to raise $400,000
A team can dream.
Give if you're able: Bit.ly/CQX-FY24part-time
Currently, we're on track with our minimum funding goal and we can keep our part-time team paid if we hit $112,000 for the year.
But we'd all like to be full-time. To do that we need to raise $400,000
A team can dream.
Give if you're able: Bit.ly/CQX-FY24part-time
Got planet? Our @starstryder made these planets during hour 21 of Hangout-a-thon.
She makes art as a side hustle to support her science communications.
Want to see her and our other staff have hobbies instead of side hustles? Make a 1-time donation at bit.ly/CQX-FY25
She makes art as a side hustle to support her science communications.
Want to see her and our other staff have hobbies instead of side hustles? Make a 1-time donation at bit.ly/CQX-FY25
October 20, 2024 at 10:53 PM
Got planet? Our @starstryder made these planets during hour 21 of Hangout-a-thon.
She makes art as a side hustle to support her science communications.
Want to see her and our other staff have hobbies instead of side hustles? Make a 1-time donation at bit.ly/CQX-FY25
She makes art as a side hustle to support her science communications.
Want to see her and our other staff have hobbies instead of side hustles? Make a 1-time donation at bit.ly/CQX-FY25
We're in hour 19. Within 5 minutes we went from hitting $6119 in donations, which is rotationally symmetric, to $6226, which is a good old-fashioned Palindrome.
We are a palindrome, $1331, away from our next goal.
Donate: bit.ly/CQX-FY25
We are a palindrome, $1331, away from our next goal.
Donate: bit.ly/CQX-FY25
October 20, 2024 at 8:12 PM
We're in hour 19. Within 5 minutes we went from hitting $6119 in donations, which is rotationally symmetric, to $6226, which is a good old-fashioned Palindrome.
We are a palindrome, $1331, away from our next goal.
Donate: bit.ly/CQX-FY25
We are a palindrome, $1331, away from our next goal.
Donate: bit.ly/CQX-FY25
We are less than $2000 away from our next stretch goal!
Want to see our weekly newsletter of news and updates come back? Donate! bit.ly/CQX-FY25
(And come hangout on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX)
Want to see our weekly newsletter of news and updates come back? Donate! bit.ly/CQX-FY25
(And come hangout on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX)
October 20, 2024 at 5:21 PM
We are less than $2000 away from our next stretch goal!
Want to see our weekly newsletter of news and updates come back? Donate! bit.ly/CQX-FY25
(And come hangout on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX)
Want to see our weekly newsletter of news and updates come back? Donate! bit.ly/CQX-FY25
(And come hangout on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX)
"We are $15 from our donation total being a Palindrome!" - Things @starstryder says on stream
Hangout-a-thon 2024
Donate: bit.ly/CQX-FY25
Watch: twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
Hangout-a-thon 2024
Donate: bit.ly/CQX-FY25
Watch: twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
October 19, 2024 at 11:11 PM
"We are $15 from our donation total being a Palindrome!" - Things @starstryder says on stream
Hangout-a-thon 2024
Donate: bit.ly/CQX-FY25
Watch: twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
Hangout-a-thon 2024
Donate: bit.ly/CQX-FY25
Watch: twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
So what exactly is Pulp Sci-Fi? Come learn on this year's Hangout-a-thon on Twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
October 19, 2024 at 4:08 PM
So what exactly is Pulp Sci-Fi? Come learn on this year's Hangout-a-thon on Twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
Starting NOW: Hangout-a-thon 2024 on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
October 19, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Starting NOW: Hangout-a-thon 2024 on twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
Our 365 Days of Astronomy podcast is finishing their 15th season!
Help us celebrate & be part of season 16 by sponsoring 1 or more episodes at bit.ly/Sponsor365DoA
This is your chance to get @starstryder to read your dedication at the top of an episode.
Help us celebrate & be part of season 16 by sponsoring 1 or more episodes at bit.ly/Sponsor365DoA
This is your chance to get @starstryder to read your dedication at the top of an episode.
October 13, 2024 at 9:31 PM
Our 365 Days of Astronomy podcast is finishing their 15th season!
Help us celebrate & be part of season 16 by sponsoring 1 or more episodes at bit.ly/Sponsor365DoA
This is your chance to get @starstryder to read your dedication at the top of an episode.
Help us celebrate & be part of season 16 by sponsoring 1 or more episodes at bit.ly/Sponsor365DoA
This is your chance to get @starstryder to read your dedication at the top of an episode.
YOU GUYS!!!! We passed our $40k fundraising goal!
@starstryder & @allystarstuff found out about this live on our fundraising twitch stream and they are EMOTIONAL.
We have switched to beta testing a citizen science project on stream AND ARE SO HAPPY TO SCIENCE! twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
@starstryder & @allystarstuff found out about this live on our fundraising twitch stream and they are EMOTIONAL.
We have switched to beta testing a citizen science project on stream AND ARE SO HAPPY TO SCIENCE! twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
September 22, 2024 at 6:25 PM
YOU GUYS!!!! We passed our $40k fundraising goal!
@starstryder & @allystarstuff found out about this live on our fundraising twitch stream and they are EMOTIONAL.
We have switched to beta testing a citizen science project on stream AND ARE SO HAPPY TO SCIENCE! twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
@starstryder & @allystarstuff found out about this live on our fundraising twitch stream and they are EMOTIONAL.
We have switched to beta testing a citizen science project on stream AND ARE SO HAPPY TO SCIENCE! twitch.tv/CosmoQuestX
In ~90 min, @starstryder.bsky.social & @inaneenglish.bsky.social will start a fundraising Twitch stream. Anything could happen, & this is definitely an AMA for the 2 of them.
We just need to raise $3,790 more dollars to hit our $40,000 goal to finish the year.
Donate now! bit.ly/CQX-FY24
We just need to raise $3,790 more dollars to hit our $40,000 goal to finish the year.
Donate now! bit.ly/CQX-FY24
September 22, 2024 at 3:35 PM
In ~90 min, @starstryder.bsky.social & @inaneenglish.bsky.social will start a fundraising Twitch stream. Anything could happen, & this is definitely an AMA for the 2 of them.
We just need to raise $3,790 more dollars to hit our $40,000 goal to finish the year.
Donate now! bit.ly/CQX-FY24
We just need to raise $3,790 more dollars to hit our $40,000 goal to finish the year.
Donate now! bit.ly/CQX-FY24