Michael Busch
@michael-w-busch.bsky.social
Planetary astronomer, studying piles of rock in space. Reader of books. Drinker of tea. He/him. This is a personal account. To bigotry no sanction.
Pinned
PSA: Anyone showing up in my mentions trying to defend or excuse bigotry and things that kill people gets reported and blocked.
Reposted by Michael Busch
This is the peculiar spiral NGC 1511, which lies approximately 50 million light-years away in the constellation Hydrus.
Astronomers will use Hubble observations of the galaxy to investigate how matter cycles from interstellar clouds to stars and back again 👉 esahubble.org/images/potw2...
🔭
Astronomers will use Hubble observations of the galaxy to investigate how matter cycles from interstellar clouds to stars and back again 👉 esahubble.org/images/potw2...
🔭
November 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This is the peculiar spiral NGC 1511, which lies approximately 50 million light-years away in the constellation Hydrus.
Astronomers will use Hubble observations of the galaxy to investigate how matter cycles from interstellar clouds to stars and back again 👉 esahubble.org/images/potw2...
🔭
Astronomers will use Hubble observations of the galaxy to investigate how matter cycles from interstellar clouds to stars and back again 👉 esahubble.org/images/potw2...
🔭
Reposted by Michael Busch
The Trump administration State Department is taking money that's supposed to be used for helping vulnerable refugees around the world and using it to bribe corrupt governments into taking people that ICE can't deport to their home countries.
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 AM
The Trump administration State Department is taking money that's supposed to be used for helping vulnerable refugees around the world and using it to bribe corrupt governments into taking people that ICE can't deport to their home countries.
Reposted by Michael Busch
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
Reposted by Michael Busch
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.
We recognize the next Senator for Minnesota.
I grew up thinking the bottom could fall out at any moment. Too many folks feel that way right now.
We need Senators that get it - and vote like they give a damn.
We need Senators that get it - and vote like they give a damn.
November 11, 2025 at 1:14 AM
We recognize the next Senator for Minnesota.
Reposted by Michael Busch
If you voted in Seattle
Are you sure it was counted???
Now would be the time to check on that
Are you sure it was counted???
Now would be the time to check on that
Incredible. Progressive challenger Katie Wilson now has a 91-vote lead in Seattle’s race for mayor. She had been steadily gaining on incumbent Bruce Harrell.
There are about 8,000 ballots left to count.
There are about 8,000 ballots left to count.
November 11, 2025 at 12:13 AM
If you voted in Seattle
Are you sure it was counted???
Now would be the time to check on that
Are you sure it was counted???
Now would be the time to check on that
Reposted by Michael Busch
![Comic. Someone is claiming to predict the exact date of a future earthquake. Should you listen? [flowchart: start] → NO (There are big earthquakes constantly, so if anyone ever *does* figure this out, it will be immediately obvious that their method works and then the world’s seismologists will not shut up about it. You won’t need this flowchart.)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreic7wdqg4w6qfevbqzzq4esd6237pojsnpwsrbb7gaxsxobqaiwazm@jpeg)
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Following numerous recent reports of the harm being caused by the automated plagiarism machines currently being promoted as "AI", my local newspaper has unaccountably decided to publish an A1 feature hyping "AI in education".
Stop doing things like this, Pioneer Press editors.
Stop doing things like this, Pioneer Press editors.
November 10, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Following numerous recent reports of the harm being caused by the automated plagiarism machines currently being promoted as "AI", my local newspaper has unaccountably decided to publish an A1 feature hyping "AI in education".
Stop doing things like this, Pioneer Press editors.
Stop doing things like this, Pioneer Press editors.
There seems to be some public confusion about what it looks like when a comet explodes.
Here is when that happened to Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 in 2006.
Notice how there are a lot of similarly-sized pieces.
esahubble.org/images/heic0...
Here is when that happened to Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 in 2006.
Notice how there are a lot of similarly-sized pieces.
esahubble.org/images/heic0...
Spectacular view of ongoing comet breakup
Spectacular view of ongoing comet breakup
esahubble.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:39 PM
There seems to be some public confusion about what it looks like when a comet explodes.
Here is when that happened to Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 in 2006.
Notice how there are a lot of similarly-sized pieces.
esahubble.org/images/heic0...
Here is when that happened to Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 in 2006.
Notice how there are a lot of similarly-sized pieces.
esahubble.org/images/heic0...
Reposted by Michael Busch
20 years ago today, our first mission to Venus was launched 🎉
#VenusExpress gave us a unique global picture of our nearest planetary neighbour and paved the way to #ESAEnvision.
1/ 🔭🧪
#planetsci
#VenusExpress gave us a unique global picture of our nearest planetary neighbour and paved the way to #ESAEnvision.
1/ 🔭🧪
#planetsci
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
20 years ago today, our first mission to Venus was launched 🎉
#VenusExpress gave us a unique global picture of our nearest planetary neighbour and paved the way to #ESAEnvision.
1/ 🔭🧪
#planetsci
#VenusExpress gave us a unique global picture of our nearest planetary neighbour and paved the way to #ESAEnvision.
1/ 🔭🧪
#planetsci
Yet again, USA:
Require that Congress do its job, ensure that SNAP funds are spent as it has ordered, #ImpeachRollins, and #ImpeachTrump.
Instead of what it has been doing.
Require that Congress do its job, ensure that SNAP funds are spent as it has ordered, #ImpeachRollins, and #ImpeachTrump.
Instead of what it has been doing.
BREAKING: Trump admin once again asked the Supreme Court to freeze full SNAP payments.
As Americans are struggling, this self-serving President is spending his time and resources trying to prevent people from getting food to feed their children.
As Americans are struggling, this self-serving President is spending his time and resources trying to prevent people from getting food to feed their children.
November 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Yet again, USA:
Require that Congress do its job, ensure that SNAP funds are spent as it has ordered, #ImpeachRollins, and #ImpeachTrump.
Instead of what it has been doing.
Require that Congress do its job, ensure that SNAP funds are spent as it has ordered, #ImpeachRollins, and #ImpeachTrump.
Instead of what it has been doing.
For the biologists and bioethicists (and anyone else with relevant expertise):
Is there a good explainer available for why what Andrew Hessel promotes would be grossly unethical if it were not impossible?
Since I have learned he is hyping human cloning to rich people as a way to "live forever".
Is there a good explainer available for why what Andrew Hessel promotes would be grossly unethical if it were not impossible?
Since I have learned he is hyping human cloning to rich people as a way to "live forever".
November 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
For the biologists and bioethicists (and anyone else with relevant expertise):
Is there a good explainer available for why what Andrew Hessel promotes would be grossly unethical if it were not impossible?
Since I have learned he is hyping human cloning to rich people as a way to "live forever".
Is there a good explainer available for why what Andrew Hessel promotes would be grossly unethical if it were not impossible?
Since I have learned he is hyping human cloning to rich people as a way to "live forever".
Today in the Planetary Science Journal:
Constantinou et al. 2025, "Powerful Lightning on Venus Constrained by Atmospheric NO" - iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3...
Continuing the decades-long argument about lightning on Venus.
Constantinou et al. 2025, "Powerful Lightning on Venus Constrained by Atmospheric NO" - iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3...
Continuing the decades-long argument about lightning on Venus.
Powerful Lightning on Venus Constrained by Atmospheric NO - IOPscience
Powerful Lightning on Venus Constrained by Atmospheric NO, Constantinou, Tereza, Shorttle, Oliver, Rimmer, Paul B.
iopscience.iop.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Today in the Planetary Science Journal:
Constantinou et al. 2025, "Powerful Lightning on Venus Constrained by Atmospheric NO" - iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3...
Continuing the decades-long argument about lightning on Venus.
Constantinou et al. 2025, "Powerful Lightning on Venus Constrained by Atmospheric NO" - iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3...
Continuing the decades-long argument about lightning on Venus.
Reposted by Michael Busch
A reminder:
For almost everyone; owning a gun is far more dangerous than not owning one.
Because I have encountered one too many Americans today pretending that they should buy guns because of the current crises.
This is not a sensible country.
For almost everyone; owning a gun is far more dangerous than not owning one.
Because I have encountered one too many Americans today pretending that they should buy guns because of the current crises.
This is not a sensible country.
October 13, 2025 at 2:20 AM
A reminder:
For almost everyone; owning a gun is far more dangerous than not owning one.
Because I have encountered one too many Americans today pretending that they should buy guns because of the current crises.
This is not a sensible country.
For almost everyone; owning a gun is far more dangerous than not owning one.
Because I have encountered one too many Americans today pretending that they should buy guns because of the current crises.
This is not a sensible country.
Reposted by Michael Busch
📷 This NASA/ESA #Hubble Space Telescope image shows NGC 1511, a spiral galaxy experiencing a burst of star formation. 🧪🔭
🔗 esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
🔗 esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 AM
📷 This NASA/ESA #Hubble Space Telescope image shows NGC 1511, a spiral galaxy experiencing a burst of star formation. 🧪🔭
🔗 esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
🔗 esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
Time for me to keep telling my Senators to require that the Democratic party actually act like an opposition party and to require the same from the party leadership.
The leader of the opposition party is supposed to ensure that the opposition speaks with a unified message.
Chuck Schumer failed yet again at that. Why is he still in his role?
Chuck Schumer failed yet again at that. Why is he still in his role?
November 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Time for me to keep telling my Senators to require that the Democratic party actually act like an opposition party and to require the same from the party leadership.
Reposted by Michael Busch
Healthcare is a human right.
Democratic Senators should fight for it like lives depend on it because they do.
Democratic Senators should fight for it like lives depend on it because they do.
November 10, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Healthcare is a human right.
Democratic Senators should fight for it like lives depend on it because they do.
Democratic Senators should fight for it like lives depend on it because they do.
Reposted by Michael Busch
#PPOD: Astronomers from the @icrar.bsky.social have created the largest low-frequency radio colour image of the Milky Way ever assembled. This spectacular new image captures the Southern Hemisphere view of our galaxy... 🧪 🔭
Credit: S. Mantovanini & the GLEAM-X team
Credit: S. Mantovanini & the GLEAM-X team
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
#PPOD: Astronomers from the @icrar.bsky.social have created the largest low-frequency radio colour image of the Milky Way ever assembled. This spectacular new image captures the Southern Hemisphere view of our galaxy... 🧪 🔭
Credit: S. Mantovanini & the GLEAM-X team
Credit: S. Mantovanini & the GLEAM-X team
Reposted by Michael Busch
Canada has just lost measles elimination status. The U.S. will undoubtedly follow shortly.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says
Canada has lost its measles elimination status after nearly three decades due to its failure to curb a year-long outbreak, the country's public health agency said on Monday.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Canada has just lost measles elimination status. The U.S. will undoubtedly follow shortly.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
#subpost
At a time when jobs are being lost across nearly all categories of employment, a professional society offering a "how to apply for jobs" workshop does not seem like an adequate response.
At a time when jobs are being lost across nearly all categories of employment, a professional society offering a "how to apply for jobs" workshop does not seem like an adequate response.
November 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
#subpost
At a time when jobs are being lost across nearly all categories of employment, a professional society offering a "how to apply for jobs" workshop does not seem like an adequate response.
At a time when jobs are being lost across nearly all categories of employment, a professional society offering a "how to apply for jobs" workshop does not seem like an adequate response.
Reposted by Michael Busch
It's actually super easy to talk to people about how outer space is political! Especially now, when people's curiosity is accompanied by a growing concern about whether space exploration is causing more harm than good. If you're doing outreach talks, I recommend having these discussions!
November 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
It's actually super easy to talk to people about how outer space is political! Especially now, when people's curiosity is accompanied by a growing concern about whether space exploration is causing more harm than good. If you're doing outreach talks, I recommend having these discussions!
Reposted by Michael Busch
3/ At the centre of the Tarantula Nebula, the VLTI/GRAVITY+ observed the binary star in the inset below.
This object was originally thought to be an extremely massive star. Yet the new observations reveal its true binary nature, showcasing the stunning capabilities of the upgraded VLTI.
This object was originally thought to be an extremely massive star. Yet the new observations reveal its true binary nature, showcasing the stunning capabilities of the upgraded VLTI.
November 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM
3/ At the centre of the Tarantula Nebula, the VLTI/GRAVITY+ observed the binary star in the inset below.
This object was originally thought to be an extremely massive star. Yet the new observations reveal its true binary nature, showcasing the stunning capabilities of the upgraded VLTI.
This object was originally thought to be an extremely massive star. Yet the new observations reveal its true binary nature, showcasing the stunning capabilities of the upgraded VLTI.
As always, everyone:
Work for the extensive efforts that _ must _ be made to address #ClimateChange.
And anyone pretending that "overpopulation" is a problem is promoting a dangerous lie (and very often an explicitly racist / sexist / classist / eugenicist lie).
Work for the extensive efforts that _ must _ be made to address #ClimateChange.
And anyone pretending that "overpopulation" is a problem is promoting a dangerous lie (and very often an explicitly racist / sexist / classist / eugenicist lie).
Since 1990, the emissions share of the richest 1% has increased by 13%, and the richest 0.1% has grown by 32%, while the poorest 50% has decreased by 3%.
policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/cl...
policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/cl...
November 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM
As always, everyone:
Work for the extensive efforts that _ must _ be made to address #ClimateChange.
And anyone pretending that "overpopulation" is a problem is promoting a dangerous lie (and very often an explicitly racist / sexist / classist / eugenicist lie).
Work for the extensive efforts that _ must _ be made to address #ClimateChange.
And anyone pretending that "overpopulation" is a problem is promoting a dangerous lie (and very often an explicitly racist / sexist / classist / eugenicist lie).
Yet again, USA:
Require that Congress do its job and strike down all of Trump's illegal tariffs.
Since I would like be able to keep getting gluten-free pasta that does not resemble glue.
Require that Congress do its job and strike down all of Trump's illegal tariffs.
Since I would like be able to keep getting gluten-free pasta that does not resemble glue.
Trump trade war costs US Italian pasta: “Exporters say import and antidumping duties totaling 107% on their pasta brands will make doing business in America too costly and are preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.” Via WSJ
Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves — The Wall Street Journal
Trump administration is set to impose duties of 107% on Italian pasta imports, among most punitive of tariffs it has levied
apple.news
November 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Yet again, USA:
Require that Congress do its job and strike down all of Trump's illegal tariffs.
Since I would like be able to keep getting gluten-free pasta that does not resemble glue.
Require that Congress do its job and strike down all of Trump's illegal tariffs.
Since I would like be able to keep getting gluten-free pasta that does not resemble glue.
Reposted by Michael Busch
🔭 Spiral Galaxy NGC 3370 from Hubble
Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Riess, K. Noll
star.ucl.ac.uk/~apod/apod/a...
Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Riess, K. Noll
star.ucl.ac.uk/~apod/apod/a...
November 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
🔭 Spiral Galaxy NGC 3370 from Hubble
Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Riess, K. Noll
star.ucl.ac.uk/~apod/apod/a...
Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Riess, K. Noll
star.ucl.ac.uk/~apod/apod/a...