Stephen Kane
@exocytherean.bsky.social
Planetary Astrophysicist at the University of California, Riverside. I like Venus. A lot. Exoplanets are also kinda cool.
Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is a breathtakingly beautiful film, proving once again that some classic tales are worth revisiting.
November 11, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is a breathtakingly beautiful film, proving once again that some classic tales are worth revisiting.
I'm excited to present my analysis of the Gaia-4 and Gaia-5 planetary systems, contained planets that I refer to as "wrecking balls". Unlike most other similar planets I have worked on, these have true mass measurements from RV+astrometry. arxiv.org/abs/2510.23792
The Dynamical Environment within the Habitable Zone of the Gaia-4 and Gaia-5 Planetary Systems
Exoplanetary systems exhibit a broad range of architectures which, in turn, enable a variety of dynamical environments. Many of the known planetary systems do not transit the host star, and so we meas...
arxiv.org
October 29, 2025 at 4:06 AM
I'm excited to present my analysis of the Gaia-4 and Gaia-5 planetary systems, contained planets that I refer to as "wrecking balls". Unlike most other similar planets I have worked on, these have true mass measurements from RV+astrometry. arxiv.org/abs/2510.23792
Reposted by Stephen Kane
Together with Kristina Kislyakova, Louis Müller, Anuja Raorane, and @exocytherean.bsky.social we are organising the session "Early Solar system: crucial timings for habitability" at @egu.eu 2026. Please consider submitting an abstract if you work on these issues. :)
Session PS5.2
meetingorganizer.copernicus.org
October 26, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Together with Kristina Kislyakova, Louis Müller, Anuja Raorane, and @exocytherean.bsky.social we are organising the session "Early Solar system: crucial timings for habitability" at @egu.eu 2026. Please consider submitting an abstract if you work on these issues. :)
Just because the US government is shut down, it doesn't mean your voice is. Contact your representatives and tell them what NASA science means to you. Your voice will help to inspire the generations that come after us. Learn more here: www.planetary.org/save-nasa-sc... @planetarysociety.bsky.social
Save NASA Science - Action Hub
NASA science faces record cuts. Take action to stop it—we'll show you how.
www.planetary.org
October 18, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Just because the US government is shut down, it doesn't mean your voice is. Contact your representatives and tell them what NASA science means to you. Your voice will help to inspire the generations that come after us. Learn more here: www.planetary.org/save-nasa-sc... @planetarysociety.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Kane
In ~5 years, we as a species are on track to embark on an incredible era of discovery, unlocking the secrets of the planet Venus. The missions @ESA_Envision, DAVINCI, and VERITAS will reveal Venus as we have never seen her before. But why should YOU care about our sister world?
June 19, 2025 at 8:14 PM
In ~5 years, we as a species are on track to embark on an incredible era of discovery, unlocking the secrets of the planet Venus. The missions @ESA_Envision, DAVINCI, and VERITAS will reveal Venus as we have never seen her before. But why should YOU care about our sister world?
Dear colleagues, especially those early career, whatever happens over the coming days/weeks, know that many are fighting for you behind the scenes, including organizations such as @aas.org, @agu.org, and @planetarysociety.bsky.social. We believe in the value of @NASA science!
September 30, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Dear colleagues, especially those early career, whatever happens over the coming days/weeks, know that many are fighting for you behind the scenes, including organizations such as @aas.org, @agu.org, and @planetarysociety.bsky.social. We believe in the value of @NASA science!
My research group members making fun of me when I have hours left before the Keck deadline ...
September 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
My research group members making fun of me when I have hours left before the Keck deadline ...
I have a fun new paper out that demonstrates the power of combining radial velocities (RVs), astrometry, and dynamical simulations in understanding planetary system demographics. You can access the paper here: arxiv.org/abs/2509.12334
No Giant Planets in the Eta Cassiopeiae System: Dynamical Implications of a Wide Binary Companion
Given the vast number of stars that exist within binary systems, it remains important to explore the effect of binary star environments on the formation and evolution of exoplanetary systems. Nearby b...
arxiv.org
September 17, 2025 at 1:05 AM
I have a fun new paper out that demonstrates the power of combining radial velocities (RVs), astrometry, and dynamical simulations in understanding planetary system demographics. You can access the paper here: arxiv.org/abs/2509.12334
Great article by Robin on the future of Earth, and lessons learned from Venus!
NEW: It was a delight to contribute to @quantamagazine.bsky.social's stunning new series on climate science! Naturally, my story tended apocalyptic: will Earth ever become a climate hellhole like Venus, the most extreme world in the solar system?
www.quantamagazine.org/why-is-venus...
www.quantamagazine.org/why-is-venus...
Why Is Venus Hell and Earth an Eden? | Quanta Magazine
A team of scientists has investigated how Earth’s twin became so inhospitable, and whether the same will happen to our planet.
www.quantamagazine.org
September 16, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Great article by Robin on the future of Earth, and lessons learned from Venus!
Reposted by Stephen Kane
Venus is a Solar System enigma.
Although Venus is similar in size and distance from the Sun to Earth, it has evolved very differently from our planet.
Our #Envision mission will aim to solve some of the puzzle by thoroughly studying our closest neighbour.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 🔭
Although Venus is similar in size and distance from the Sun to Earth, it has evolved very differently from our planet.
Our #Envision mission will aim to solve some of the puzzle by thoroughly studying our closest neighbour.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 🔭
Top five Venus mysteries Envision will solve
Venus is a Solar System enigma. Similar in size to Earth and orbiting the Sun at a similar distance, it is remarkable how the two planets evolved so differently. While conditions on Earth allowed life...
www.esa.int
September 12, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Venus is a Solar System enigma.
Although Venus is similar in size and distance from the Sun to Earth, it has evolved very differently from our planet.
Our #Envision mission will aim to solve some of the puzzle by thoroughly studying our closest neighbour.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 🔭
Although Venus is similar in size and distance from the Sun to Earth, it has evolved very differently from our planet.
Our #Envision mission will aim to solve some of the puzzle by thoroughly studying our closest neighbour.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 🔭
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, "The Friends of Voltaire" (1906).
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, "The Friends of Voltaire" (1906).
September 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, "The Friends of Voltaire" (1906).
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, "The Friends of Voltaire" (1906).
There should be more referee reports that contain Monty Python references. Whoever you are, just know that I appreciate you, you magnificent bastard!
September 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
There should be more referee reports that contain Monty Python references. Whoever you are, just know that I appreciate you, you magnificent bastard!
In my dreams the sky is burning.
A pressure none has ever known.
Basaltic plains recall their oceans.
Whispers fossilized in stone.
Gold light shining above the land.
That once knew a gentler breeze.
Yet through the acid rain I wonder.
The untold mysteries of ancient seas.
A pressure none has ever known.
Basaltic plains recall their oceans.
Whispers fossilized in stone.
Gold light shining above the land.
That once knew a gentler breeze.
Yet through the acid rain I wonder.
The untold mysteries of ancient seas.
September 9, 2025 at 6:13 PM
In my dreams the sky is burning.
A pressure none has ever known.
Basaltic plains recall their oceans.
Whispers fossilized in stone.
Gold light shining above the land.
That once knew a gentler breeze.
Yet through the acid rain I wonder.
The untold mysteries of ancient seas.
A pressure none has ever known.
Basaltic plains recall their oceans.
Whispers fossilized in stone.
Gold light shining above the land.
That once knew a gentler breeze.
Yet through the acid rain I wonder.
The untold mysteries of ancient seas.
The space advocacy efforts continue and science remains at risk! This week, the House CJS subcommittee are marking up their CJS bill, and it is critical that NASA funding is restored. Please consider contacting one of the subcommittee members: appropriations.house.gov/subcommittee...
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
appropriations.house.gov
September 9, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The space advocacy efforts continue and science remains at risk! This week, the House CJS subcommittee are marking up their CJS bill, and it is critical that NASA funding is restored. Please consider contacting one of the subcommittee members: appropriations.house.gov/subcommittee...
Visiting #NASAGoddard, home to some of the most brilliant people I know and a national treasure. The research and technology work carried out here per dollar spent is astoundingly high, ensures US leadership in space sciences, and should be preserved at all costs.
August 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Visiting #NASAGoddard, home to some of the most brilliant people I know and a national treasure. The research and technology work carried out here per dollar spent is astoundingly high, ensures US leadership in space sciences, and should be preserved at all costs.
Reposted by Stephen Kane
Really great article in WIRED this morning, about what we're really losing (hope, wonder, the true "greatness" that NASA brings us) by defunding and devaluing science here in 2025.
The Destruction of NASA Would Be a Blow to Our Collective Imagination.
www.wired.com/story/the-de...
The Destruction of NASA Would Be a Blow to Our Collective Imagination.
www.wired.com/story/the-de...
The Destruction of NASA Would Be a Blow to Our Collective Imagination
As NASA grapples with major proposed budget cuts and losing some of its most brilliant minds, America’s willingness to look outward is also at risk.
www.wired.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Really great article in WIRED this morning, about what we're really losing (hope, wonder, the true "greatness" that NASA brings us) by defunding and devaluing science here in 2025.
The Destruction of NASA Would Be a Blow to Our Collective Imagination.
www.wired.com/story/the-de...
The Destruction of NASA Would Be a Blow to Our Collective Imagination.
www.wired.com/story/the-de...
Would you like to see the nearest Earth-size planet? Venus is now at its highest point in the pre-dawn sky (the famous "morning star"). Our beautiful twin planet is worth the 5am viewing. And as you stare at its brilliance, remember this: we know surprisingly little about it.
August 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Would you like to see the nearest Earth-size planet? Venus is now at its highest point in the pre-dawn sky (the famous "morning star"). Our beautiful twin planet is worth the 5am viewing. And as you stare at its brilliance, remember this: we know surprisingly little about it.
That moment when you're reading about the earthquake near Russia, only to experience a 4.4 quake near Riverside.
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
The Earthquake Event Page application supports most recent browsers, view supported browsers. Or, try our Real-time Notifications, Feeds, and Web Services.
earthquake.usgs.gov
July 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
That moment when you're reading about the earthquake near Russia, only to experience a 4.4 quake near Riverside.
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
For the past 14 years, I have been maintaining and updating the Habitable Zone Gallery (hzgallery.org), created along with @dawngelino.bsky.social. We now host HZ data and figures for 3897 systems and 5184 planets, 167 of which lie in the HZ.
July 30, 2025 at 7:14 PM
For the past 14 years, I have been maintaining and updating the Habitable Zone Gallery (hzgallery.org), created along with @dawngelino.bsky.social. We now host HZ data and figures for 3897 systems and 5184 planets, 167 of which lie in the HZ.
My mum is visiting from Australia and brought me my Garfield book I read when I was a kid. So of course I 3d printed and painted a 12 inch tall Garfield.
July 13, 2025 at 2:48 AM
My mum is visiting from Australia and brought me my Garfield book I read when I was a kid. So of course I 3d printed and painted a 12 inch tall Garfield.
I genuinely believe that science exploration is an essential lifeblood of a flourishing civilization, that progresses technology and provides inspiration to think beyond our imagined boundaries and see ourselves as a unified species. Without it, we will stagnate and regress.
What’s really at stake if NASA’s science budget gets slashed and entire science missions are canceled?
We asked the scientists leading those missions, and their stories reveal what we all stand to lose.
Here’s what they told us: www.planetary.org/articles/sci...
We asked the scientists leading those missions, and their stories reveal what we all stand to lose.
Here’s what they told us: 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 4:25 PM
I genuinely believe that science exploration is an essential lifeblood of a flourishing civilization, that progresses technology and provides inspiration to think beyond our imagined boundaries and see ourselves as a unified species. Without it, we will stagnate and regress.
Reposted by Stephen Kane
It has been an exciting few months with several publications out #OpenAccess! Curious about some of the latest #Venus science? Take a look: (1/4)
July 2, 2025 at 10:08 AM
It has been an exciting few months with several publications out #OpenAccess! Curious about some of the latest #Venus science? Take a look: (1/4)
Reposted by Stephen Kane
I cannot articulate to you how damaging this will be to NASA science and to the scientific leadership of the United States generally.
To say nothing of the precedence of the White House and NASA leadership simply ignoring Congress.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
To say nothing of the precedence of the White House and NASA leadership simply ignoring Congress.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
White House works to ground NASA science missions before Congress can act
“We would be turning off some fabulous missions that are doing extremely well.”…
arstechnica.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:32 AM
I cannot articulate to you how damaging this will be to NASA science and to the scientific leadership of the United States generally.
To say nothing of the precedence of the White House and NASA leadership simply ignoring Congress.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
To say nothing of the precedence of the White House and NASA leadership simply ignoring Congress.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
Reposted by Stephen Kane
You’ve seen our advocacy efforts to Save NASA Science—here’s what happened and what’s next as we approach critical budget decisions in Washington. ⬇️ www.planetary.org/articles/sav...
Save NASA Science Campaign progress report
A status update from The Planetary Society's policy experts.
www.planetary.org
June 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
You’ve seen our advocacy efforts to Save NASA Science—here’s what happened and what’s next as we approach critical budget decisions in Washington. ⬇️ www.planetary.org/articles/sav...
Reposted by Stephen Kane
Click the link to the video. This is SO cool.
Meet your new cosmic neighbors ☄️
Introducing a swarm of over 2100 new asteroids discovered by NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory!
Rubin discovered these asteroids in about 10.5 hours of observing across 7 nights.
They've never been seen by humanity before...until now.🔭🧪
youtu.be/DTuq-vBsDJE
Introducing a swarm of over 2100 new asteroids discovered by NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory!
Rubin discovered these asteroids in about 10.5 hours of observing across 7 nights.
They've never been seen by humanity before...until now.🔭🧪
youtu.be/DTuq-vBsDJE
June 23, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Click the link to the video. This is SO cool.