Colin Seftor
@cseftor.bsky.social
Mostly retired, worked as a NASA contractor during atmospheric research on ozone and aerosols at Goddard Space Flight Center. Still keep my hand in things one day per week.
Beautiful day in the Arlington County / DC area for a walk with a few friends (halfway across the Memorial Bridge on a No Kings protest walk; you can see the Lincoln Memorial peeking through the crowd). #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Beautiful day in the Arlington County / DC area for a walk with a few friends (halfway across the Memorial Bridge on a No Kings protest walk; you can see the Lincoln Memorial peeking through the crowd). #NoKings
Reposted by Colin Seftor
🔴⚠️🌡️Hell is ongoing in #Spain where #wildfires are burning many thousands of hectares pushed by dry weather and strong winds. This #Sentinel2 📸shows the situation at the border of Galicia and Castilla y León,the most affected regions. with visible pyrocumulonimbus #climateemergency
August 16, 2025 at 10:36 PM
🔴⚠️🌡️Hell is ongoing in #Spain where #wildfires are burning many thousands of hectares pushed by dry weather and strong winds. This #Sentinel2 📸shows the situation at the border of Galicia and Castilla y León,the most affected regions. with visible pyrocumulonimbus #climateemergency
Reposted by Colin Seftor
🚀 🧪#NASACuts
NASA’s Unsung Workforce: Contractors
Over half of #NASA’s workforce are contractors.
Depending on the center, the proportion ranges from 50% to 70%+. Goddard—the most science-focused of all NASA centers—is at the upper end.
There are two main types of NASA contractors.
1/8
NASA’s Unsung Workforce: Contractors
Over half of #NASA’s workforce are contractors.
Depending on the center, the proportion ranges from 50% to 70%+. Goddard—the most science-focused of all NASA centers—is at the upper end.
There are two main types of NASA contractors.
1/8
August 1, 2025 at 1:39 PM
🚀 🧪#NASACuts
NASA’s Unsung Workforce: Contractors
Over half of #NASA’s workforce are contractors.
Depending on the center, the proportion ranges from 50% to 70%+. Goddard—the most science-focused of all NASA centers—is at the upper end.
There are two main types of NASA contractors.
1/8
NASA’s Unsung Workforce: Contractors
Over half of #NASA’s workforce are contractors.
Depending on the center, the proportion ranges from 50% to 70%+. Goddard—the most science-focused of all NASA centers—is at the upper end.
There are two main types of NASA contractors.
1/8
Reposted by Colin Seftor
SpaceX is altering atmospheric chemistry. Over 525 Starlinks deorbited in the past few months. A Starlink satellite produces 30 KG of aluminum oxide vapor which erodes the ozone layer. These oxides have increased 8-fold between 2016 and 2022. NOAA predicts this could heat the stratosphere 1.5°C
August 6, 2025 at 12:32 AM
SpaceX is altering atmospheric chemistry. Over 525 Starlinks deorbited in the past few months. A Starlink satellite produces 30 KG of aluminum oxide vapor which erodes the ozone layer. These oxides have increased 8-fold between 2016 and 2022. NOAA predicts this could heat the stratosphere 1.5°C
Reposted by Colin Seftor
As NASA's budget shrinks, Europe doubles down on Earth science
As NASA's budget shrinks, Europe doubles down on Earth science: 'Climate change is the defining challenge of our generation'
If NASA must pull back, Europe is ready to step up — and do so with open arms.
www.space.com
July 13, 2025 at 6:43 AM
As NASA's budget shrinks, Europe doubles down on Earth science
Reposted by Colin Seftor
The area burned in the Canadian 2025 fire season has hit 5 million ha. Third active fire season in a row that combined has burned 7% of the Canadian forest. Currently we have 346 fires out of control (192 monitored out of control (OC) and 154 OC that are being actioned) so expect the number to rise.
July 11, 2025 at 4:09 AM
The area burned in the Canadian 2025 fire season has hit 5 million ha. Third active fire season in a row that combined has burned 7% of the Canadian forest. Currently we have 346 fires out of control (192 monitored out of control (OC) and 154 OC that are being actioned) so expect the number to rise.
Reposted by Colin Seftor
An email that appears to have come from the real Social Security administration.
Which until now had been considered a non-partisan federal agency.
Time for another look at 'The Origins of Totalitarianism.'
Which until now had been considered a non-partisan federal agency.
Time for another look at 'The Origins of Totalitarianism.'
July 4, 2025 at 3:39 AM
An email that appears to have come from the real Social Security administration.
Which until now had been considered a non-partisan federal agency.
Time for another look at 'The Origins of Totalitarianism.'
Which until now had been considered a non-partisan federal agency.
Time for another look at 'The Origins of Totalitarianism.'
Reposted by Colin Seftor
July 1, 2025 at 11:58 AM
A series of pyroCb events in Alaska over the last few days have combined with high altitude windws to produce a smoke plume that stretches across Alaska, through western Canada / US, and into California / Nevada. This image shows N20 OMPS AI measurements. The length of the plume is over 4500 km.
June 24, 2025 at 6:59 AM
A series of pyroCb events in Alaska over the last few days have combined with high altitude windws to produce a smoke plume that stretches across Alaska, through western Canada / US, and into California / Nevada. This image shows N20 OMPS AI measurements. The length of the plume is over 4500 km.
Reposted by Colin Seftor
So far the five provinces all have above average estimated emissions to date with Manitoba already setting its highest annual total, and Saskatchewan & Ontario highest total for time of year, in the 23-year dataset #CopernicusAtmosphere dataset
June 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
So far the five provinces all have above average estimated emissions to date with Manitoba already setting its highest annual total, and Saskatchewan & Ontario highest total for time of year, in the 23-year dataset #CopernicusAtmosphere dataset
Reposted by Colin Seftor
Total estimated emissions from Canadian #wildfires continuing to increase sharply (to 10 June) with many intense fires in BC, AB, SK, MB & ON. #CopernicusAtmosphere GFAS data based on MODIS🛰️ active fire obs ads.atmosphere.copernicus.eu/datasets/cam... @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social @ecmwf.int
June 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Total estimated emissions from Canadian #wildfires continuing to increase sharply (to 10 June) with many intense fires in BC, AB, SK, MB & ON. #CopernicusAtmosphere GFAS data based on MODIS🛰️ active fire obs ads.atmosphere.copernicus.eu/datasets/cam... @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social @ecmwf.int
Reposted by Colin Seftor
This is on all the Senators who turned a blind eye and voted to confirm. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/09/h...
Kennedy Removes All C.D.C. Vaccine Panel Experts
www.nytimes.com
June 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
This is on all the Senators who turned a blind eye and voted to confirm. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/09/h...
Reposted by Colin Seftor
On our blog, our online editor @drmlharris.bsky.social writes about the surreal experience of attending a space conference where no-one seems keen to mention the biggest threat to the sector's future: drastic proposed cuts to US science funding, including NASA. 🧪⚛️🔭 physicsworld.com/a/theres-an-...
There’s an elephant in the room at the Royal Society – and for once, it’s not (just) Elon Musk – Physics World
A conference on the future of the UK space sector makes stunningly little mention of how proposed cuts to NASA funding might affect it
physicsworld.com
June 9, 2025 at 2:08 PM
On our blog, our online editor @drmlharris.bsky.social writes about the surreal experience of attending a space conference where no-one seems keen to mention the biggest threat to the sector's future: drastic proposed cuts to US science funding, including NASA. 🧪⚛️🔭 physicsworld.com/a/theres-an-...
Reposted by Colin Seftor
Canada wildfires smoke turns UK skies orange
#AirPollution knows no borders!
#Health #Environment
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
#AirPollution knows no borders!
#Health #Environment
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
Canada wildfires smoke turns UK skies orange
Smoke from wildfires burning in central Canada was visible in the skies over the UK this weekend.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Canada wildfires smoke turns UK skies orange
#AirPollution knows no borders!
#Health #Environment
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
#AirPollution knows no borders!
#Health #Environment
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
Reposted by Colin Seftor
Look close at this recent satellite view and you can see the thin layer of smoke. We've got the current smoke situation, and the latest DC area forecast for mid-to-late week heat, at cwg.live
June 3, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Look close at this recent satellite view and you can see the thin layer of smoke. We've got the current smoke situation, and the latest DC area forecast for mid-to-late week heat, at cwg.live
Reposted by Colin Seftor
US climate scientists need all the help they can get. Including from foul-mouthed comedians! 🤡😱😱
Watch Emmy Award-Winning David Cross team up with Prof Michael Oppenheimer in the US launch of the hit series "Climate Science Translated".
#climate #arresteddevelopment #climatescience
Watch Emmy Award-Winning David Cross team up with Prof Michael Oppenheimer in the US launch of the hit series "Climate Science Translated".
#climate #arresteddevelopment #climatescience
June 2, 2025 at 11:55 AM
US climate scientists need all the help they can get. Including from foul-mouthed comedians! 🤡😱😱
Watch Emmy Award-Winning David Cross team up with Prof Michael Oppenheimer in the US launch of the hit series "Climate Science Translated".
#climate #arresteddevelopment #climatescience
Watch Emmy Award-Winning David Cross team up with Prof Michael Oppenheimer in the US launch of the hit series "Climate Science Translated".
#climate #arresteddevelopment #climatescience
Reposted by Colin Seftor
Sun rising Tuesday through smoky #Haze over the Jefferson Memorial in #DC! @capitalweather.bsky.social @ianlivingston.bsky.social
June 3, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Sun rising Tuesday through smoky #Haze over the Jefferson Memorial in #DC! @capitalweather.bsky.social @ianlivingston.bsky.social
Reposted by Colin Seftor
Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺
June 3, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺
Reposted by Colin Seftor
Wow a whole article about aerosols www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/w...
A Giant Plume of Saharan Dust Is Headed to Florida
www.nytimes.com
June 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Wow a whole article about aerosols www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/w...
Here's the aerosol index image from the OMPS nadir mapper sensor onboard the NOAA 21 satellite. Note the definition of the AI is different from what TROPOMI (the instrument on Sentinel 5P) uses. I "pulled out" a bit so you can see the plume that spans across the Atlantic and over Europe.
June 2, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Here's the aerosol index image from the OMPS nadir mapper sensor onboard the NOAA 21 satellite. Note the definition of the AI is different from what TROPOMI (the instrument on Sentinel 5P) uses. I "pulled out" a bit so you can see the plume that spans across the Atlantic and over Europe.
Reposted by Colin Seftor
An update from my previous posting, surface photometer confirm the presence of very thick smoke with values similar to thick citrus cloud. This why it feels like "the sun is not toasting much today"
June 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM
An update from my previous posting, surface photometer confirm the presence of very thick smoke with values similar to thick citrus cloud. This why it feels like "the sun is not toasting much today"
Reposted by Colin Seftor
Yes, this is very much worth reading.
A summary of engineering gap between Musk's longtime promises to land people on Mars *by next year*, and real-world explosive results.
Also, why clunky old-tech NASA/Apollo had a much better record.
A summary of engineering gap between Musk's longtime promises to land people on Mars *by next year*, and real-world explosive results.
Also, why clunky old-tech NASA/Apollo had a much better record.
June 1, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Yes, this is very much worth reading.
A summary of engineering gap between Musk's longtime promises to land people on Mars *by next year*, and real-world explosive results.
Also, why clunky old-tech NASA/Apollo had a much better record.
A summary of engineering gap between Musk's longtime promises to land people on Mars *by next year*, and real-world explosive results.
Also, why clunky old-tech NASA/Apollo had a much better record.
Reposted by Colin Seftor
#CopernicusAtmosphere aerosol alerts (indicating total aerosol optical depth > 2003-2018 climatological values) showing multiple smoke plumes from Canada & E Russia #wildfires around high northern latitudes and the #Arctic on 1 June aerosol-alerts.atmosphere.copernicus.eu?autoplay=tru...
June 1, 2025 at 8:51 PM
#CopernicusAtmosphere aerosol alerts (indicating total aerosol optical depth > 2003-2018 climatological values) showing multiple smoke plumes from Canada & E Russia #wildfires around high northern latitudes and the #Arctic on 1 June aerosol-alerts.atmosphere.copernicus.eu?autoplay=tru...
Reposted by Colin Seftor
What's a pyrocumulonimbus?
There was an outbreak of them across northern Alberta on Thursday evening.
Check it out 👇
badweatherkyle.com/pyrocumuloni...
There was an outbreak of them across northern Alberta on Thursday evening.
Check it out 👇
badweatherkyle.com/pyrocumuloni...
Pyrocumulonimbus outbreak in Alberta | Bad Weather Kyle
A series of firestorms raged across northern Alberta on the evening of 28 May.
badweatherkyle.com
June 1, 2025 at 1:48 AM
What's a pyrocumulonimbus?
There was an outbreak of them across northern Alberta on Thursday evening.
Check it out 👇
badweatherkyle.com/pyrocumuloni...
There was an outbreak of them across northern Alberta on Thursday evening.
Check it out 👇
badweatherkyle.com/pyrocumuloni...
Reposted by Colin Seftor
🌊 NOAA and NSF budget requests would amount to decimation of earth, ocean and atmospheric science in the US.
Everyone please reach out to your reps immediately www.wclivestream.com/act
Trump's Budget is out. For NOAA, it's exactly what the previous passback document showed.
Trump administration eliminations NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research in its ongoing fight against science and reality.
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...
Trump administration eliminations NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research in its ongoing fight against science and reality.
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...
May 31, 2025 at 2:03 AM
🌊 NOAA and NSF budget requests would amount to decimation of earth, ocean and atmospheric science in the US.