Orion Lyau
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orionll.bsky.social
Orion Lyau
@orionll.bsky.social
170 followers 170 following 57 posts
I currently make software and previously studied astrophysics. I also like flying and taking pictures!
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orionll.bsky.social
USGS website isn't loading currently, but ShakeAlert shows an estimated magnitude 4.5. Maybe a V (or even VI) on the the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale?
Screenshot of web browser where the contents of the page (https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards) only reads "504 Gateway Time-out".
September 22, 2025 at 10:03 AM
orionll.bsky.social
Oh gosh, it's nowhere near as polished (and I had a friend help for the background art), but this is a clip of when I was testing it!

It's really more of a little code doodle than anything -- I just ported an RK4 integrator that I already had from a university problem set from Python to C#.
August 5, 2025 at 12:20 AM
orionll.bsky.social
I saw that sign last month! I think one of the questions the sign poses (well... posed) was quite relevant: "What do omissions in the historic narrative reveal about our society?"
Picture from Muir Woods National Monument of a sign titled "Saving Muir Woods" that presents a history of the national monument. The left half of the sign reads "Muir Woods National Monument was established in 1908 through the inspired leadership of William and Elizabeth Kent, Gifford Pinchot, and President Theodore Roosevelt" (and it continues to explain how these individuals were relevant to the creation of Muir Woods as a national monument). On the right half of the sign is a page that reads: [begin quote] Muir Woods National Monument Golden Gate National Recreation Area National Park Service U.S. Department of Interior ALERT: HISTORY UNDER CONSTRUCTION Everything on this sign is accurate, but incomplete. The facts are not under construction, but the way we tell the history is. Additions in yellow are the facts rangers included to tell a more complete story. Here are some of the items originally left out: - This story of this place began thousands of years ago with the Coast Miwok. - A women's movement was among the first to try to preserve Muir Woods. - The racist ideology of many people who helped to protect this place. What do omissions in the historic narrative reveal about our society? How does knowing more shape your perspective on the past and the future? [end quote] The bottom portion of the sign has a timeline titled "The Path to Preservation" ranging from "Before European Contact" (undated) through 2021. The first dated item is in 1776. The majority of the items have a yellow background (indicating facts rangers included to tell a more complete story). Unfortunately the alt text field is too short to include a transcript of all the items on the timeline. :(
July 22, 2025 at 1:51 AM
orionll.bsky.social
According to www.jstor.org/stable/44524..., Orville is quoted as saying "I enjoyed every minute. I guess I ran the whole plane for a minute, but I let the machine take care of itself. I always said airplanes would fly themselves if you left them alone."
Screenshot of text: "Hesitant at first, Mr. Wright smiled happily as he settled in his seat and soon gave the appearance of being perfectly at ease. Throughout the flight he gazed raptly at the earth, calling attention several times to various landmarks he once viewed from his own flying machine. "Colonel Hatcher suggested that Mr. Wright take the controls, but the inventor shook his head. Hatcher again motioned toward the dual controls in front of Mr. Wright. "Hesitantly, Mr. Wright placed his hands on the control column. Getting the feel of the plane, he shrugged his shoulders and beamed at Hatcher. The plane flew along at an even keel and a moment later Mr. Wright relinquished the controls. Screenshot of text: "Later General Carroll ... took control of the ship. While Hatcher left the pilot's position so that General Carroll could slide into his seat, Mr. Wright again handled the controls." When interviewed after the flight, Mr. Wright was beaming. Miss Stevenson quotes him: "It's absolutely marvelous," he said of the plane. "You can say that I ran the whole thing. Put exclamation points and question marks after that---because all I had to do was just let it take care of itself." Screenshot of text: He admitted that 40 years ago at Kitty Hawk, N. C., he never dreamed his invention would assume such proportions. He seemed impressed but not awed, as if long before this he had learned to take remarkable aerial development in his stride. "Each one that comes along is a little better than the one before," he commented. Starrett also quoted Wright as saying: "I enjoyed every minute. I guess I ran the whole plane for a minute, but I let the machine take care of itself. I always said airplanes would fly themselves if you left them alone."
July 21, 2025 at 1:48 AM
orionll.bsky.social
Visited some redwood trees today!
Picture of tall coast redwood trees (sequoia sempervirens) in Muir Woods National Monument. Dappled sunlight shines through to lush undergrowth on the forest floor.
June 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM
orionll.bsky.social
Sorry, what? The FAA is discontinuing the Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide?

The chart legends aren't comprehensive -- what are we supposed to do if we see something on a chart that isn't in the legend? Just hope to find someone who knows? Email the FAA? Guess?

www.faa.gov/air_traffic/...
CHARTING NOTICE Date: May 30, 2025 To: Users of: All Aeronautical Products and Digital Services From: Aeronautical Information Services, AJV-A Subject: Discontinuation of selected charting products and services beginning August 7, 2025 Please be advised that the FAA is discontinuing the following products: Aeronautical Chart Users’ Guide https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/aero_guide/ VFR Class B Enhancement Graphics https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/vfr_class_b/ U.S. VFR Wall Planning https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/productcatalog/planningcharts/VFRWall/ Alaska VFR Wall Planning https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/productcatalog/planningcharts/AKVFRWall/ U.S. IFR/VFR Low Altitude Planning Charts https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/productcatalog/planningcharts/US/ The final publication date for these products will be June 12, 2025. As each of the current versions of the above products expires or becomes outdated, they will be removed from the FAA website. This Charting Notice reflects FAA’s reprioritization of the services it provides in light of changes in staffing, administration priorities, and other factors. Concerns about impacts to the safety and efficiency of the airspace can be reported on the web or by phone using the FAA Hotline. See https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aae/programs_services/faa_hotlines.
May 31, 2025 at 2:29 AM
orionll.bsky.social
There's even Among Us shaped patterns on banners on the promenade!
Screenshot from Star Trek Deep Space 9, season 4 episode 6 "Rejoined". Dax is standing on the upper level of the promenade looking forlorn. A banner is draped, hanging from something offscreen (the ceiling?) to the side of the railing next to Dax. The pattern on the banner is irrelevant to the story, but along the banner's edge is a series of repeated shapes that are rather reminiscent of Among Us crewmates.
January 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
orionll.bsky.social
Hooray for MyShake! Didn't feel shaking where I was in the Bay Area (earthquake was in Humboldt County), but glad I got an early warning!

USGS link: earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
Screenshot of Android notifications UI at 10:56 AM (contains three items): From Google (7 minutes ago): Tsunami Warning for Eastern Pacific Marine Zones, California, Oregon National Weather Service From Google Play Services (7 minutes ago): Earthquake at 10:44 AM You may have felt shaking. Initial estimate M6.0 about 202.5 miles away. Tap to learn more. From MyShake (11 minutes ago): Earthquake - Drop, cover, hold on. Shaking expected. Mag 6.0 eq in Humboldt County, CA, USA on Thu Dec 05 at 10:44 AM PST
December 5, 2024 at 7:06 PM
orionll.bsky.social
It's not as fancy as an "I Voted" sticker, but... confirmation that my vote by mail ballot was counted!
November 5, 2024, General Ballot Accepted 10/31/2024 Your ballot has been accepted! Your ballot was received by your county elections office and counted. Thanks for voting!
November 1, 2024 at 8:30 AM