Leigh 🌠
@quasarologist.bsky.social
she/her 🏳️🌈🖖
PA ➡️ TX
Astrophysics PhD student・Educator・Quasarologist・X-ray enthusiast・Occasional artist・Sometimes writer・Everyone's weird pagan aunt・EN/日本語OK!⭕
Personal account. Views expressed are my own.
PA ➡️ TX
Astrophysics PhD student・Educator・Quasarologist・X-ray enthusiast・Occasional artist・Sometimes writer・Everyone's weird pagan aunt・EN/日本語OK!⭕
Personal account. Views expressed are my own.
Pinned
Leigh 🌠
@quasarologist.bsky.social
· Jan 22
Hey y'all! I'm Leigh, a PhD student and X-ray astronomer who works on observational quasar research. I love computers, 25 year old telescopes, science education, and my cat. 🐱 When I'm not doing space stuff, I'm...actually still doing space stuff, usually through public outreach and teaching. 🖖
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
⚠️ Chinese researchers have invented bone glue that mimics how oysters stick to surfaces underwater.
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
China's oyster-inspired 'bone glue' bonds fractures in minutes
A new oyster-inspired Bone-02 adhesive can revolutionize bone repair without metal fasteners.
interestingengineering.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
Hey Bluesky, it's been a minute. I've been staying off of social media for my general health and well-being. I hope everyone's well. Here's Karliah for cat tax.
September 14, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Hey Bluesky, it's been a minute. I've been staying off of social media for my general health and well-being. I hope everyone's well. Here's Karliah for cat tax.
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
I have amazing #ITeachPhysics and #TTRPG news to share! Adventures with Emmy (AwE), a STEM education tabletop roleplaying game, has been AWARDED FUNDING by the National Science Foundation.
In AwE, mathematician and physicist Emmy Noether invites you to learn science by exploring imaginative worlds.
In AwE, mathematician and physicist Emmy Noether invites you to learn science by exploring imaginative worlds.
September 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I have amazing #ITeachPhysics and #TTRPG news to share! Adventures with Emmy (AwE), a STEM education tabletop roleplaying game, has been AWARDED FUNDING by the National Science Foundation.
In AwE, mathematician and physicist Emmy Noether invites you to learn science by exploring imaginative worlds.
In AwE, mathematician and physicist Emmy Noether invites you to learn science by exploring imaginative worlds.
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
The Dirac Delta Function
♾️🎢🧮⚛️
♾️🎢🧮⚛️
December 12, 2024 at 1:07 AM
The Dirac Delta Function
♾️🎢🧮⚛️
♾️🎢🧮⚛️
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
ARP! ARP! ARP! ☄️🔭 arxiv.org/abs/2509.09011
September 12, 2025 at 2:55 AM
ARP! ARP! ARP! ☄️🔭 arxiv.org/abs/2509.09011
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
A quick view of the Rosetta nebula - From Ángel López-Sánchez - https://flic.kr/p/2kLxJKy
July 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A quick view of the Rosetta nebula - From Ángel López-Sánchez - https://flic.kr/p/2kLxJKy
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
this is the time for scifi fans to exercise the ultimate depth and breadth of their creativity
make them shut down the hotline
use all your best Borg jokes
make them shut down the hotline
use all your best Borg jokes
July 3, 2025 at 3:33 AM
this is the time for scifi fans to exercise the ultimate depth and breadth of their creativity
make them shut down the hotline
use all your best Borg jokes
make them shut down the hotline
use all your best Borg jokes
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
The full ruling explaining why NIH grant cuts are illegal came out today.
It's just as blistering as the judge's oral remarks. And it uncovers fresh details in DOGE's role orchestrating the cuts — and on the cuts at Columbia.
Here are my top highlights from the 103-page ruling. 🧵
It's just as blistering as the judge's oral remarks. And it uncovers fresh details in DOGE's role orchestrating the cuts — and on the cuts at Columbia.
Here are my top highlights from the 103-page ruling. 🧵
After ruling the NIH grant cuts were illegal yesterday, Judge Young, a Reagan appointee on the bench since 1985, ended the hearing with a blistering 15-minute speech.
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
Judge rules against NIH grant cuts — and calls them discriminatory
The decision means that the US biomedical agency has to restore funding to hundreds of research projects, but the government will likely appeal.
www.nature.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:55 PM
The full ruling explaining why NIH grant cuts are illegal came out today.
It's just as blistering as the judge's oral remarks. And it uncovers fresh details in DOGE's role orchestrating the cuts — and on the cuts at Columbia.
Here are my top highlights from the 103-page ruling. 🧵
It's just as blistering as the judge's oral remarks. And it uncovers fresh details in DOGE's role orchestrating the cuts — and on the cuts at Columbia.
Here are my top highlights from the 103-page ruling. 🧵
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
This is an interview on the topic for Hubble and Webb, with Joe DePasquale at @stsci.edu , who is one of the best at this (digitally, present-day) www.nasa.gov/podcasts/gra... 🔭
Season 5, Ep. 30: Gravity Assist: How We Make Webb (and Hubble) Images - NASA
The world will get a first glimpse of the universe as never before when the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope come out on July 12. And this is only the beginning — the telescope will de...
www.nasa.gov
July 3, 2025 at 10:17 AM
This is an interview on the topic for Hubble and Webb, with Joe DePasquale at @stsci.edu , who is one of the best at this (digitally, present-day) www.nasa.gov/podcasts/gra... 🔭
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
Recently turned in a deeply researched draft of a book on What AI Actually Is and reader, this is 100% correct
"The problem with AI isn't that it can do your job. It can't. The problem with AI is that your MBA-brained boss's boss doesn't know how your job works and thinks AI can do your job at fractions of a penny on the dollar, and hears the siren song of 'maximize shareholder value'."
MBA-brain is real.
MBA-brain is real.
They’re literally advertising it.
July 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Recently turned in a deeply researched draft of a book on What AI Actually Is and reader, this is 100% correct
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
NEW: Read Mr Abrego's account of unthinkable torture inside CECOT prison in El Salvador. My latest: content warning: www.muellershewrote.com/p/mr-abregos...
Mr. Abrego's Account of Torture at CECOT in El Salvador
Mr. Abrego has filed an amended complaint asking the court to declare the government's actions unlawful and to order his release. He describes his torture in El Salvador in the complaint.
www.muellershewrote.com
July 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
NEW: Read Mr Abrego's account of unthinkable torture inside CECOT prison in El Salvador. My latest: content warning: www.muellershewrote.com/p/mr-abregos...
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
🔭 Between Scylla and Charybdis: A Double Cosmic Discovery
Image Credit: M. Drechsler, Y. Sainty, A. Soto, N. Martino, L. Leroux-Gere, S. Khallouqui, & A. Kaeouach; Text: Ogetay Kayali (Michigan Tech U.)
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25060...
Image Credit: M. Drechsler, Y. Sainty, A. Soto, N. Martino, L. Leroux-Gere, S. Khallouqui, & A. Kaeouach; Text: Ogetay Kayali (Michigan Tech U.)
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25060...
June 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM
🔭 Between Scylla and Charybdis: A Double Cosmic Discovery
Image Credit: M. Drechsler, Y. Sainty, A. Soto, N. Martino, L. Leroux-Gere, S. Khallouqui, & A. Kaeouach; Text: Ogetay Kayali (Michigan Tech U.)
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25060...
Image Credit: M. Drechsler, Y. Sainty, A. Soto, N. Martino, L. Leroux-Gere, S. Khallouqui, & A. Kaeouach; Text: Ogetay Kayali (Michigan Tech U.)
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25060...
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
shel silverstein on the LLM, 1981
June 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
shel silverstein on the LLM, 1981
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
As we condemn the Trump admin for this plan, I hope we also reflect on the many presidential administrations before him (including Democratic presidents) who had the opportunity to fully close the stain on American modern history that is Guantanamo and that opted not to.
NEW: The Trump admin has plans to send thousands of foreigners to Guantanamo beginning as early as this week, including citizens of close allies UK & France, with no intention of notifying their home governments in advance, per sources and documents
June 10, 2025 at 10:16 PM
As we condemn the Trump admin for this plan, I hope we also reflect on the many presidential administrations before him (including Democratic presidents) who had the opportunity to fully close the stain on American modern history that is Guantanamo and that opted not to.
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
If you ever benefitted from seasame street, arthur, between the lions, maya and miguel, zaboomafoo, reading mother fuckin rainbow, or DOZENS of other educational/formative shows, you can send an email
I know that there's *so much* going on, but if you have a second to make an additional call to your congressperson, PBS needs our help.
Head to ProtectMyPublicMedia.org for a guide on how to fight back and save public broadcasting and its important educational verticals.
Head to ProtectMyPublicMedia.org for a guide on how to fight back and save public broadcasting and its important educational verticals.
June 10, 2025 at 9:51 PM
If you ever benefitted from seasame street, arthur, between the lions, maya and miguel, zaboomafoo, reading mother fuckin rainbow, or DOZENS of other educational/formative shows, you can send an email
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
Hello. I live in Los Angeles. The president is lying.
June 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Hello. I live in Los Angeles. The president is lying.
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
Back to the federal building, the protestors have exploded in numbers and are approaching the building again
This is WAY BIGGER than any previous protest. The national guard is instigating far LARGER of a response and the feds are LOSING.
This is WAY BIGGER than any previous protest. The national guard is instigating far LARGER of a response and the feds are LOSING.
June 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Back to the federal building, the protestors have exploded in numbers and are approaching the building again
This is WAY BIGGER than any previous protest. The national guard is instigating far LARGER of a response and the feds are LOSING.
This is WAY BIGGER than any previous protest. The national guard is instigating far LARGER of a response and the feds are LOSING.
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
Anthony Bourdain died seven years ago today.
I think his legacy to Americans was to be a good guest, to appreciate culture not co-opt it, and that we need to be less afraid of lifestyles unlike our own. He was an ambassador to embracing equal but different.
More people could stand to ponder this.
I think his legacy to Americans was to be a good guest, to appreciate culture not co-opt it, and that we need to be less afraid of lifestyles unlike our own. He was an ambassador to embracing equal but different.
More people could stand to ponder this.
June 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Anthony Bourdain died seven years ago today.
I think his legacy to Americans was to be a good guest, to appreciate culture not co-opt it, and that we need to be less afraid of lifestyles unlike our own. He was an ambassador to embracing equal but different.
More people could stand to ponder this.
I think his legacy to Americans was to be a good guest, to appreciate culture not co-opt it, and that we need to be less afraid of lifestyles unlike our own. He was an ambassador to embracing equal but different.
More people could stand to ponder this.
Goooooood afternoon, Anchorage! It was nice waking up to a view of the mountains this morning. I'll be at #AAS246 this week - feel free to say hello if you see me! Can't possibly miss my bright purple hair. 😂
June 8, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Goooooood afternoon, Anchorage! It was nice waking up to a view of the mountains this morning. I'll be at #AAS246 this week - feel free to say hello if you see me! Can't possibly miss my bright purple hair. 😂
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
June 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
👇👇👇
[Alt-text] post reads “If you are National Guard or Active Duty military and you are being ordered to violate the Constitutional rights of US citizens then this is the number to the GI Rights Hotline. There is support, you don't have to go through with it. tel: 1-877-447-4487
[Alt-text] post reads “If you are National Guard or Active Duty military and you are being ordered to violate the Constitutional rights of US citizens then this is the number to the GI Rights Hotline. There is support, you don't have to go through with it. tel: 1-877-447-4487
June 8, 2025 at 1:35 AM
👇👇👇
[Alt-text] post reads “If you are National Guard or Active Duty military and you are being ordered to violate the Constitutional rights of US citizens then this is the number to the GI Rights Hotline. There is support, you don't have to go through with it. tel: 1-877-447-4487
[Alt-text] post reads “If you are National Guard or Active Duty military and you are being ordered to violate the Constitutional rights of US citizens then this is the number to the GI Rights Hotline. There is support, you don't have to go through with it. tel: 1-877-447-4487
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
June 8, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
Just like in the parks, safety comes first.
- Stay with your group
- Follow the signs (or in this case, the facts)
- Leave no one behind
- Document everything
- Don’t engage alone
- Stay with your group
- Follow the signs (or in this case, the facts)
- Leave no one behind
- Document everything
- Don’t engage alone
June 8, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Just like in the parks, safety comes first.
- Stay with your group
- Follow the signs (or in this case, the facts)
- Leave no one behind
- Document everything
- Don’t engage alone
- Stay with your group
- Follow the signs (or in this case, the facts)
- Leave no one behind
- Document everything
- Don’t engage alone
Reposted by Leigh 🌠
Good morning rebels...
June 6, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Good morning rebels...