Sean D. Johnson
@seanjohnson.bsky.social
Extragalactic astronomer; LSA Collegiate Fellow & Assistant Professor at @michiganastro. Dog lover. Pronouns: he/him/his 🏳️🌈
The receipts @astromonnier.bsky.social!
October 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The receipts @astromonnier.bsky.social!
Accidentally taught a lesson in balloon animal biology in ASTRO 102 today. Turns out, balloon animals can undergo mitosis after hibernating in liquid nitrogen!
October 16, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Accidentally taught a lesson in balloon animal biology in ASTRO 102 today. Turns out, balloon animals can undergo mitosis after hibernating in liquid nitrogen!
Update: The President of Texas A&M, the largest public university in the US, removed the Dean of the College and Chair of the English Dept just hours after coming under right-wing political pressure because a student recorded herself interrupting a lecture’s class that included topics on gender.
September 9, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Update: The President of Texas A&M, the largest public university in the US, removed the Dean of the College and Chair of the English Dept just hours after coming under right-wing political pressure because a student recorded herself interrupting a lecture’s class that included topics on gender.
The only academic hothouse I have ever been in. It’s quite nice actually, and pretty sure they don’t grow words?
August 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The only academic hothouse I have ever been in. It’s quite nice actually, and pretty sure they don’t grow words?
The guy with Greyhounds who brings a very fancy camera to the dog park caught Noor getting ready for takeoff!
June 29, 2025 at 1:17 AM
The guy with Greyhounds who brings a very fancy camera to the dog park caught Noor getting ready for takeoff!
Turns out puppy can really jump and got stuck on top of our fence. We are going to need a taller one. She learned that some cats don’t move, even when worshipped, and ate six wasps. Seems happy with today’s accomplishments!
Now Habibi is teaching her to play night fetch during long exposures.
Now Habibi is teaching her to play night fetch during long exposures.
April 30, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Turns out puppy can really jump and got stuck on top of our fence. We are going to need a taller one. She learned that some cats don’t move, even when worshipped, and ate six wasps. Seems happy with today’s accomplishments!
Now Habibi is teaching her to play night fetch during long exposures.
Now Habibi is teaching her to play night fetch during long exposures.
In Dec, the vet said Dina had days left. She had other ideas. Over 3 months, we hit each bucket list item 2-3x: knafeh w/ lamb, visit by her best dog bud of 10 yrs, family visits, seeing her best bud again in MA, dog park walks, & weekly pack Shabbat. At 15, we finally said goodbye to Dina on Sat.
April 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
In Dec, the vet said Dina had days left. She had other ideas. Over 3 months, we hit each bucket list item 2-3x: knafeh w/ lamb, visit by her best dog bud of 10 yrs, family visits, seeing her best bud again in MA, dog park walks, & weekly pack Shabbat. At 15, we finally said goodbye to Dina on Sat.
It was. We never got there, but were getting close, which is why they came for affirmative action. After Prop II passed, Pres. Coleman recommitted the UM to the goal while acknowledging it would be harder in the new legal environment. It's how DEI started here. Took a long time to start paying off.
March 28, 2025 at 1:59 AM
It was. We never got there, but were getting close, which is why they came for affirmative action. After Prop II passed, Pres. Coleman recommitted the UM to the goal while acknowledging it would be harder in the new legal environment. It's how DEI started here. Took a long time to start paying off.
As they retreat from core values, university leaders don't want us asking why diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are under attack now.
It is because they are working.
UMich 1st-year enrollment of Black students rose from 3.5% in 2019 to 6.3% in 2024. Hispanic enrollments from 7.6% to 14.8%.
It is because they are working.
UMich 1st-year enrollment of Black students rose from 3.5% in 2019 to 6.3% in 2024. Hispanic enrollments from 7.6% to 14.8%.
March 28, 2025 at 1:45 AM
As they retreat from core values, university leaders don't want us asking why diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are under attack now.
It is because they are working.
UMich 1st-year enrollment of Black students rose from 3.5% in 2019 to 6.3% in 2024. Hispanic enrollments from 7.6% to 14.8%.
It is because they are working.
UMich 1st-year enrollment of Black students rose from 3.5% in 2019 to 6.3% in 2024. Hispanic enrollments from 7.6% to 14.8%.
March 14, 2025 at 3:24 AM
You’re goddamned right.
February 23, 2025 at 5:48 PM
You’re goddamned right.
Dina and Habibi in their happy place
February 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Dina and Habibi in their happy place
When the NYT published a bad faith piece on DEI at Michigan, they claimed it had failed, asserting that UMich student demographics are stalled. Vice Provost Chavous challenged the claims in the Michigan Chronicle.
Anyway, I made a plot based on public OBP data for an upcoming talk.
Anyway, I made a plot based on public OBP data for an upcoming talk.
February 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
When the NYT published a bad faith piece on DEI at Michigan, they claimed it had failed, asserting that UMich student demographics are stalled. Vice Provost Chavous challenged the claims in the Michigan Chronicle.
Anyway, I made a plot based on public OBP data for an upcoming talk.
Anyway, I made a plot based on public OBP data for an upcoming talk.
Was doing a bit of searching to see how far in advance our research orgs are taking their compliance and google AI said the quiet part out loud.
February 8, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Was doing a bit of searching to see how far in advance our research orgs are taking their compliance and google AI said the quiet part out loud.
The Michigan Daily: how will the university respond to the Presidents Executive orders?
The President of the University of Michigan: why are you asking me?? There are like… I dunno, maybe 100,000 other people here you could ask
The President of the University of Michigan: why are you asking me?? There are like… I dunno, maybe 100,000 other people here you could ask
February 5, 2025 at 3:53 AM
The Michigan Daily: how will the university respond to the Presidents Executive orders?
The President of the University of Michigan: why are you asking me?? There are like… I dunno, maybe 100,000 other people here you could ask
The President of the University of Michigan: why are you asking me?? There are like… I dunno, maybe 100,000 other people here you could ask
This sure did age well.
![Screenshot of an email to all students, faculty, and staff at the University of Michigan sent by the Provost, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at 9:21 AM on Jan. 22, 2025 with the title "University of Michigan and the incoming presidential administration".
Part of the email is highlighted in blue and reads, "Our aim, as President Santa J. Ono noted in his January 8th message, is to analyze new policies and establish a thoughtful approach for engagement with the new administration.
While emerging executive orders and legislative changes may bring uncertainty, we are committed to forging a path forward that includes working with policymakers, listening to our community and keeping our values in the foreground. As in any period of change, there will be a range of opinions and questions from our community."
The full email reads as follows:
This week marked the start of a new executive and legislative administration within the U.S. government, bringing changes to laws and policies affecting healthcare, research, education and our institution.
At the University of Michigan, we have established a process to carefully review these actions and understand their implications. This process draws on the deep expertise of the university’s leaders and stakeholders.
...[previously quoted content]...
Individual students, faculty and staff are free to exercise their right to free speech and expression. We support and encourage civil discourse, constructive debate and diverse viewpoints, which are hallmarks of any great public university.
Now and always, we will stay true to our mission. We will pursue academic excellence, advance field-defining research and dedicate ourselves to learning and teaching in ways that improve lives and make a meaningful impact in Michigan and on the world.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:aglrkneul5f3at7t3ewap5db/bafkreieicq3srh4jk2mazoloir2btvp6s46o3axpjho4bxnvd4t5s6iv7e@jpeg)
January 23, 2025 at 2:31 AM
This sure did age well.
Was planning on making some bean bags with eyes to cheer up chosen family, but didn’t check the dimensions of the googly eyes… oops
January 21, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Was planning on making some bean bags with eyes to cheer up chosen family, but didn’t check the dimensions of the googly eyes… oops
Not sure where to begin with this one
December 27, 2024 at 2:59 PM
Not sure where to begin with this one
Paper day!
Deep MUSE data reveal large optical, [O II]-emitting nebulae around most luminous quasars at z~1. The nebulae are not correlated with quasar luminosity or radio-loudness, suggesting the gas may be common in massive halos & rendered visible by photoionization.
arxiv.org/abs/2404.00088
Deep MUSE data reveal large optical, [O II]-emitting nebulae around most luminous quasars at z~1. The nebulae are not correlated with quasar luminosity or radio-loudness, suggesting the gas may be common in massive halos & rendered visible by photoionization.
arxiv.org/abs/2404.00088
![Images of 50-100 kpc, [O II] emitting nebulae around 4 z~1 quasars.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:aglrkneul5f3at7t3ewap5db/bafkreibavos7ugspwxpfpq77wfjtbvler7uauoga7ka75sywp667bcnesq@jpeg)
April 2, 2024 at 2:43 PM
Paper day!
Deep MUSE data reveal large optical, [O II]-emitting nebulae around most luminous quasars at z~1. The nebulae are not correlated with quasar luminosity or radio-loudness, suggesting the gas may be common in massive halos & rendered visible by photoionization.
arxiv.org/abs/2404.00088
Deep MUSE data reveal large optical, [O II]-emitting nebulae around most luminous quasars at z~1. The nebulae are not correlated with quasar luminosity or radio-loudness, suggesting the gas may be common in massive halos & rendered visible by photoionization.
arxiv.org/abs/2404.00088
We are finally done with Grey’s antibiotics. No more rage foam! It’s chicken flavored & doesn’t even taste bad (yes, I tried it). For two weeks he was happily downing it. But then Grey realized that we wanted him to eat it more than normal food and suddenly we were clearly trying to murder him.
September 16, 2023 at 1:06 AM
We are finally done with Grey’s antibiotics. No more rage foam! It’s chicken flavored & doesn’t even taste bad (yes, I tried it). For two weeks he was happily downing it. But then Grey realized that we wanted him to eat it more than normal food and suddenly we were clearly trying to murder him.
They neglected NJ’s Trenton Tomato Pie (my favorite regional pizza variety, Detroit style is a close 2nd) and it shows
September 2, 2023 at 12:06 AM
They neglected NJ’s Trenton Tomato Pie (my favorite regional pizza variety, Detroit style is a close 2nd) and it shows
New achievement unlocked—injecting a cat with subcutaneous fluids! Honestly easier than getting Grey to swallow some meds.
Vet says his blood work is already back within normal ranges and Grey is feeling well enough to sit in his favorite living dangerously spot (only if you are cat, water!)
Vet says his blood work is already back within normal ranges and Grey is feeling well enough to sit in his favorite living dangerously spot (only if you are cat, water!)
August 22, 2023 at 4:36 PM
New achievement unlocked—injecting a cat with subcutaneous fluids! Honestly easier than getting Grey to swallow some meds.
Vet says his blood work is already back within normal ranges and Grey is feeling well enough to sit in his favorite living dangerously spot (only if you are cat, water!)
Vet says his blood work is already back within normal ranges and Grey is feeling well enough to sit in his favorite living dangerously spot (only if you are cat, water!)
Grey heading back home after a week at the vet, now on the way to recovering from pancreatitis, kidney infection, and peritonitis. He barely even noticed that he was sick, but Dina (our dog) smelled something was off. She is very happy to be back to doting on him now!
August 20, 2023 at 1:47 AM
Grey heading back home after a week at the vet, now on the way to recovering from pancreatitis, kidney infection, and peritonitis. He barely even noticed that he was sick, but Dina (our dog) smelled something was off. She is very happy to be back to doting on him now!
One day in Idaho and now this is my Twitter feed
July 31, 2023 at 7:14 PM
One day in Idaho and now this is my Twitter feed