Ryan Trainor
@crosstrainor.bsky.social
astrophysicist / dad / asso. professor at F&M College / visiting scientist “at” JHU / he / him.
interested in galaxies, AGN, data science, and justice.
interested in galaxies, AGN, data science, and justice.
Pinned
Ryan Trainor
@crosstrainor.bsky.social
· Jul 31
CECILIA: Ultra-Deep Rest-Optical Spectra of Faint Galaxies at Cosmic Noon
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.22237
Menelaos Raptis, Ryan F. Trainor, Allison L. Strom, Gwen C. Rudie, Noah S. J. Rogers, Charles C. Steidel, Michael V. Maseda, Caroline von Raesfeld, Nathalie A. Korhonen Cuestas.
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.22237
Menelaos Raptis, Ryan F. Trainor, Allison L. Strom, Gwen C. Rudie, Noah S. J. Rogers, Charles C. Steidel, Michael V. Maseda, Caroline von Raesfeld, Nathalie A. Korhonen Cuestas.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.22237
arXiv abstract link
arxiv.org
Today is a paper day! We present some of the most sensitive measurements of the nebular emission lines for “dwarf” galaxies at Cosmic Noon.
This study is the culmination of three years of work by Menelaos Raptis, a rising senior undergraduate student at @fandmcollege.bsky.social!
This study is the culmination of three years of work by Menelaos Raptis, a rising senior undergraduate student at @fandmcollege.bsky.social!
My favorite thing about being an astronomy professor is that someday the Earth will rendered uninhabitable by the Sun’s evolution into a Red Giant and I’ll never have to use Canvas’s utterly soul-crushing assignment editing tools again 😊
August 20, 2025 at 1:50 AM
My favorite thing about being an astronomy professor is that someday the Earth will rendered uninhabitable by the Sun’s evolution into a Red Giant and I’ll never have to use Canvas’s utterly soul-crushing assignment editing tools again 😊
Today is a paper day! We present some of the most sensitive measurements of the nebular emission lines for “dwarf” galaxies at Cosmic Noon.
This study is the culmination of three years of work by Menelaos Raptis, a rising senior undergraduate student at @fandmcollege.bsky.social!
This study is the culmination of three years of work by Menelaos Raptis, a rising senior undergraduate student at @fandmcollege.bsky.social!
CECILIA: Ultra-Deep Rest-Optical Spectra of Faint Galaxies at Cosmic Noon
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.22237
Menelaos Raptis, Ryan F. Trainor, Allison L. Strom, Gwen C. Rudie, Noah S. J. Rogers, Charles C. Steidel, Michael V. Maseda, Caroline von Raesfeld, Nathalie A. Korhonen Cuestas.
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.22237
Menelaos Raptis, Ryan F. Trainor, Allison L. Strom, Gwen C. Rudie, Noah S. J. Rogers, Charles C. Steidel, Michael V. Maseda, Caroline von Raesfeld, Nathalie A. Korhonen Cuestas.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.22237
arXiv abstract link
arxiv.org
July 31, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Today is a paper day! We present some of the most sensitive measurements of the nebular emission lines for “dwarf” galaxies at Cosmic Noon.
This study is the culmination of three years of work by Menelaos Raptis, a rising senior undergraduate student at @fandmcollege.bsky.social!
This study is the culmination of three years of work by Menelaos Raptis, a rising senior undergraduate student at @fandmcollege.bsky.social!
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
It's amazing to look back through history and discover that this was prophesized back in 1981.
June 5, 2025 at 1:17 AM
It's amazing to look back through history and discover that this was prophesized back in 1981.
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
This is insanely dystopian. LLM-powered bots impersonating people with completely fake personas in order to change people's viewpoints on reddit.
I cannot believe an IRB approved this "experiment"
I cannot believe an IRB approved this "experiment"
New AI ethics scandal brewing... turns out a team at University of Zurich had dozens of undisclosed AI bot accounts debating with people on /r/ChangeMyView from November 2024 to March 2025 simonwillison.net/2025/Apr/26/...
META: Unauthorized Experiment on CMV Involving AI-generated Comments
[r/changemyview](https://www.reddit.com/r/changemyview/) is a popular (top 1%) well moderated subreddit with an extremely well developed [set of rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/changemyview/wiki/rules...
simonwillison.net
April 27, 2025 at 11:49 AM
This is insanely dystopian. LLM-powered bots impersonating people with completely fake personas in order to change people's viewpoints on reddit.
I cannot believe an IRB approved this "experiment"
I cannot believe an IRB approved this "experiment"
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
This @insidehighered.com website is tracking visa revocations of students across the US, >600 at >100 colleges as of today, April 10. www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
April 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
This @insidehighered.com website is tracking visa revocations of students across the US, >600 at >100 colleges as of today, April 10. www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
We hang together or we hang separately. Could not be clearer what is happening and how universities must respond.
Trump Officials Freeze $1 Billion for Cornell and $790 Million for Northwestern
The funding pause amid civil rights "investigations" into both universities sharply escalates the Trump administration’s campaign against elite colleges.
The funding pause amid civil rights "investigations" into both universities sharply escalates the Trump administration’s campaign against elite colleges.
Trump Officials Freeze $1 Billion for Cornell and $790 Million for Northwestern
The funding pause amid civil rights investigations into both universities sharply escalates the Trump administration’s campaign against elite colleges.
www.nytimes.com
April 9, 2025 at 12:59 AM
We hang together or we hang separately. Could not be clearer what is happening and how universities must respond.
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
This pointless stunt by Cory Booker is accomplishing nothing but drawing attention to the Trump administration’s wrongdoing and delaying the work of the Senate and energizing the Democratic base and, wait, hang on, let me come in again
April 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
This pointless stunt by Cory Booker is accomplishing nothing but drawing attention to the Trump administration’s wrongdoing and delaying the work of the Senate and energizing the Democratic base and, wait, hang on, let me come in again
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
Just got an email from the Fulbright Association. As of right now, funding has been cut off to 12,500 US citizens currently abroad and and more than 7,400 foreigner scholars and students in the United States
March 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Just got an email from the Fulbright Association. As of right now, funding has been cut off to 12,500 US citizens currently abroad and and more than 7,400 foreigner scholars and students in the United States
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
Day 2 of SK8plotlib development completed 💪🛹👩💻
Today I did a complete rewrite of the physics engine - it is now MUCH more stable, supports user input, and can rotate the board to match the line below it!
All you need to do is pass a matplotlib figure to sk8plot() - it sets itself up automatically!
Today I did a complete rewrite of the physics engine - it is now MUCH more stable, supports user input, and can rotate the board to match the line below it!
All you need to do is pass a matplotlib figure to sk8plot() - it sets itself up automatically!
January 18, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Day 2 of SK8plotlib development completed 💪🛹👩💻
Today I did a complete rewrite of the physics engine - it is now MUCH more stable, supports user input, and can rotate the board to match the line below it!
All you need to do is pass a matplotlib figure to sk8plot() - it sets itself up automatically!
Today I did a complete rewrite of the physics engine - it is now MUCH more stable, supports user input, and can rotate the board to match the line below it!
All you need to do is pass a matplotlib figure to sk8plot() - it sets itself up automatically!
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
Hey y'all - A reminder that the smoke and ash down in LA/Pasadena is.... really toxic.
Some folks didn't track it, but the Camp Fire has killed people for multiple years after the fact because of their interactions with the toxic byproducts of the fire. Stay safe. Gloves and masks.
Some folks didn't track it, but the Camp Fire has killed people for multiple years after the fact because of their interactions with the toxic byproducts of the fire. Stay safe. Gloves and masks.
Just had a sample of the Eaton Fire ash that is in my driveway run on the department XRF. Is there titanium (new house paint)? Yup. Lead (old house paint)? You betcha. Heavy metals? Check. Treat that ash like it's toxic folks (because it is)
January 17, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Hey y'all - A reminder that the smoke and ash down in LA/Pasadena is.... really toxic.
Some folks didn't track it, but the Camp Fire has killed people for multiple years after the fact because of their interactions with the toxic byproducts of the fire. Stay safe. Gloves and masks.
Some folks didn't track it, but the Camp Fire has killed people for multiple years after the fact because of their interactions with the toxic byproducts of the fire. Stay safe. Gloves and masks.
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
Hey bluesky! Do you want to develop your own open-source software in Python? Apply to attend Code/Astro!
Website: semaphorep.github.io/codeastro/
Scroll all the way down for the application link. :) Apps are due Feb 1! (1/2)
Website: semaphorep.github.io/codeastro/
Scroll all the way down for the application link. :) Apps are due Feb 1! (1/2)
Program Description
A Software Engineering Workshop for Astronomy
semaphorep.github.io
January 4, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Hey bluesky! Do you want to develop your own open-source software in Python? Apply to attend Code/Astro!
Website: semaphorep.github.io/codeastro/
Scroll all the way down for the application link. :) Apps are due Feb 1! (1/2)
Website: semaphorep.github.io/codeastro/
Scroll all the way down for the application link. :) Apps are due Feb 1! (1/2)
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
Occasional PSA, 2025 edition: @duetosymmetry.com and I made a graph paper package for LaTeX.
Various grid styles (graph, quadrille, hex, iso, dot grid, etc), custom and pre-defined colors. Print out or make templates for your tablet.
Github: github.com/mcnees/LaTeX...
CTAN: ctan.org/pkg/gridpapers
Various grid styles (graph, quadrille, hex, iso, dot grid, etc), custom and pre-defined colors. Print out or make templates for your tablet.
Github: github.com/mcnees/LaTeX...
CTAN: ctan.org/pkg/gridpapers
January 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Occasional PSA, 2025 edition: @duetosymmetry.com and I made a graph paper package for LaTeX.
Various grid styles (graph, quadrille, hex, iso, dot grid, etc), custom and pre-defined colors. Print out or make templates for your tablet.
Github: github.com/mcnees/LaTeX...
CTAN: ctan.org/pkg/gridpapers
Various grid styles (graph, quadrille, hex, iso, dot grid, etc), custom and pre-defined colors. Print out or make templates for your tablet.
Github: github.com/mcnees/LaTeX...
CTAN: ctan.org/pkg/gridpapers
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
From Tori Bonidie: Was Venus always a formidable hellscape, or did it once have a temperate climate with liquid water on its surface? 🔭✨
astrobites.org/2024/12/24/i...
astrobites.org/2024/12/24/i...
It’s Getting Hot in Here, So Take Off All Your H2O
Was Venus always a formidable hellscape, or did it once have a temperate climate with liquid water on its surface?
astrobites.org
December 25, 2024 at 12:32 AM
From Tori Bonidie: Was Venus always a formidable hellscape, or did it once have a temperate climate with liquid water on its surface? 🔭✨
astrobites.org/2024/12/24/i...
astrobites.org/2024/12/24/i...
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
California forcibly sterilized hundreds of women. Then, it 'allowed' them to apply for compensation.
But only ≈15% of the affected women have gotten compensation so far. Many were denied.
And the deadline to apply/appeal is in just 10 days, leading to an unfair rush many don't know about:
But only ≈15% of the affected women have gotten compensation so far. Many were denied.
And the deadline to apply/appeal is in just 10 days, leading to an unfair rush many don't know about:
For Survivors of Forced Sterilization in California Prisons, a Rushed Shot at Justice
A state board deciding reparations for women sterilized against their will rejected most applications. Advocates are now racing against a January deadline for victims to appeal.
boltsmag.org
December 22, 2024 at 12:32 AM
California forcibly sterilized hundreds of women. Then, it 'allowed' them to apply for compensation.
But only ≈15% of the affected women have gotten compensation so far. Many were denied.
And the deadline to apply/appeal is in just 10 days, leading to an unfair rush many don't know about:
But only ≈15% of the affected women have gotten compensation so far. Many were denied.
And the deadline to apply/appeal is in just 10 days, leading to an unfair rush many don't know about:
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
Holy cow, look at that primary mirror! It's the same size as Hubble's (2.4m) but 4x lighter. And its field of view is 100x wider than Hubble (compare the small box versus the full color image in the picture below), with Hubble's resolution.
December 17, 2024 at 5:53 PM
Holy cow, look at that primary mirror! It's the same size as Hubble's (2.4m) but 4x lighter. And its field of view is 100x wider than Hubble (compare the small box versus the full color image in the picture below), with Hubble's resolution.
*shorter 😢
I don’t know if anyone needs to hear this, but in 7 days the days start getting longer again. (It was me; I needed to hear this).
December 15, 2024 at 10:35 PM
*shorter 😢
I’m on this article because I do think portfolios would be more equitable and effective than recommendation letters. With that said, there was substantial diversity of opinion even among the co-authors, and I’ve seen other viewpoints here—happy to chat if you’re interested! arxiv.org/abs/2412.08715
On the Use of Letters of Recommendation in Astronomy and Astrophysics Graduate Admissions
Letters of recommendation are a common tool used in graduate admissions. Most admissions systems require three letters for each applicant, burdening both letter writers and admissions committees with ...
arxiv.org
December 14, 2024 at 10:54 PM
I’m on this article because I do think portfolios would be more equitable and effective than recommendation letters. With that said, there was substantial diversity of opinion even among the co-authors, and I’ve seen other viewpoints here—happy to chat if you’re interested! arxiv.org/abs/2412.08715
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
We are tired of writing a zillion letters of recommendation that aren’t helping our amazing students get into grad schools, or our colleagues select good candidates! Thank You to the authors for this… 🔭🧪📖
arxiv.org/abs/2412.08715
arxiv.org/abs/2412.08715
On the Use of Letters of Recommendation in Astronomy and Astrophysics Graduate Admissions
Letters of recommendation are a common tool used in graduate admissions. Most admissions systems require three letters for each applicant, burdening both letter writers and admissions committees with ...
arxiv.org
December 13, 2024 at 6:14 PM
We are tired of writing a zillion letters of recommendation that aren’t helping our amazing students get into grad schools, or our colleagues select good candidates! Thank You to the authors for this… 🔭🧪📖
arxiv.org/abs/2412.08715
arxiv.org/abs/2412.08715
Reposted by Ryan Trainor
Hello, bluesky!! The AAS Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy (members shown below) is happy to join you here, including @ohdearz.bsky.social, @capricephillips.bsky.social, @that-astro-chic.bsky.social, @ramistarblob.bsky.social, @rmartinez.bsky.social! 🔭🧪⚛️
December 6, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Hello, bluesky!! The AAS Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy (members shown below) is happy to join you here, including @ohdearz.bsky.social, @capricephillips.bsky.social, @that-astro-chic.bsky.social, @ramistarblob.bsky.social, @rmartinez.bsky.social! 🔭🧪⚛️
Thanksgiving dinner in Providencia! Everything feels like home (except for the 75 °F weather).
November 28, 2024 at 10:49 PM
Thanksgiving dinner in Providencia! Everything feels like home (except for the 75 °F weather).
Very visualization of a tidal stream spreading out across/around the Galaxy!
Depends what you need!
We have positions and velocities of particles in streams that we could provide in whatever convenient coordinates or cadence you'd like.
Might be cool to see a stream spreading around a planetarium dome
We have positions and velocities of particles in streams that we could provide in whatever convenient coordinates or cadence you'd like.
Might be cool to see a stream spreading around a planetarium dome
November 25, 2024 at 10:36 AM
Very visualization of a tidal stream spreading out across/around the Galaxy!
After two months in Santiago, I finally found a bike! I can’t express how excited I am to not have to walk up and down this hill anymore 😅
November 21, 2024 at 12:01 PM
After two months in Santiago, I finally found a bike! I can’t express how excited I am to not have to walk up and down this hill anymore 😅