Taylor Bell
@taylorbell275.bsky.social
ESA/AURA Astronomer at STScI, working on exoplanet atmospheric characterization, MIRI, and time-series observations. Posts are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of STScI, ESA, or AURA.
Passionate about hiking, camping, and canoeing.
He/him
Passionate about hiking, camping, and canoeing.
He/him
Reposted by Taylor Bell
We are hiring a new Assistant Professor in Astrophysics at Trinity College Dublin!! ☘
Job ad here: aas.org/jobregister/...
Deadline: Jan 02 2026
Please share widely! 🪐🔭
Job ad here: aas.org/jobregister/...
Deadline: Jan 02 2026
Please share widely! 🪐🔭
Assistant Professor in Astrophysics | American Astronomical Society
The School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin invites applications for a position at the level of Assistant Professor in the field of observational or theoretical astrophysics. We seek motivated ind...
aas.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
We are hiring a new Assistant Professor in Astrophysics at Trinity College Dublin!! ☘
Job ad here: aas.org/jobregister/...
Deadline: Jan 02 2026
Please share widely! 🪐🔭
Job ad here: aas.org/jobregister/...
Deadline: Jan 02 2026
Please share widely! 🪐🔭
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Dr. Munazza Alam, an assistant astronomer at STScI, was named in The City University of New York's 50 Under 50 alumni awards in 2025. Each year the school celebrates a class of distinguished graduates who have made headway in their respective fields over the past year. 👏
Munazza Alam – The City University of New York
26 Colleges. One University.
www.cuny.edu
November 21, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Dr. Munazza Alam, an assistant astronomer at STScI, was named in The City University of New York's 50 Under 50 alumni awards in 2025. Each year the school celebrates a class of distinguished graduates who have made headway in their respective fields over the past year. 👏
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Are you an IR detectors nerd, or need to go deep into detector systematics for your #JWST MIRI science? You might be interested in this paper on MIRI's Reset Switch Charge Decay effect (RSCD) by Mike Ressler et al 🔭🧪https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/ae0afb
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iopscience.iop.org
October 27, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Are you an IR detectors nerd, or need to go deep into detector systematics for your #JWST MIRI science? You might be interested in this paper on MIRI's Reset Switch Charge Decay effect (RSCD) by Mike Ressler et al 🔭🧪https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/ae0afb
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Seeking PhD candidates that want to do a thesis on exoplanet atmosphere retrieval + machine learning inference. Please apply by 31 October to Dr. Max Dax's and my shared project here: is.mpg.de/news/new-max... . Abstract for the thesis project is attached to this thread below!
New Max Planck Artificial Intelligence Network Starts Call for Applications for its Ph.D. Program
The Max Planck Artificial Intelligence Network is a Ph.D. Program that provides doctoral researchers with fully funded Ph.D. fellowships and a pool of outstanding faculty comprising directors and inde...
is.mpg.de
October 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Seeking PhD candidates that want to do a thesis on exoplanet atmosphere retrieval + machine learning inference. Please apply by 31 October to Dr. Max Dax's and my shared project here: is.mpg.de/news/new-max... . Abstract for the thesis project is attached to this thread below!
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Can a small planet maintain an atmosphere in the blazing light of a small, cool red dwarf star? #NASAWebb and Hubble are teaming up to find out. Learn more about the Rocky Worlds program designed to understand the most common type of planetary system in the galaxy: https://go.nasa.gov/3VLUJ1n 🔭 🧪
October 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Can a small planet maintain an atmosphere in the blazing light of a small, cool red dwarf star? #NASAWebb and Hubble are teaming up to find out. Learn more about the Rocky Worlds program designed to understand the most common type of planetary system in the galaxy: https://go.nasa.gov/3VLUJ1n 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Taylor Bell
In the event of a U.S. government shutdown, STScI will extend the James Webb Space Telescope Cycle 5 proposal submission deadline for affected scientists. Details: https://www.stsci.edu/contents/news/jwst/2025/jwst-cycle-5-deadline-extension-in-case-of-government-shutdown #NASAWebb 🔭 🧪 ☄️
September 29, 2025 at 8:15 PM
In the event of a U.S. government shutdown, STScI will extend the James Webb Space Telescope Cycle 5 proposal submission deadline for affected scientists. Details: https://www.stsci.edu/contents/news/jwst/2025/jwst-cycle-5-deadline-extension-in-case-of-government-shutdown #NASAWebb 🔭 🧪 ☄️
Excited to share the 1st High-Level Science Product release from the Rocky Words DDT! Each RWDDT eclipse will result in HLSPs which you can use for preliminary science investigations or as a starting point for your own reduction/fit. Awesome work by Tyler Baines, Achrène Dyrek, and the RWDDT CIT
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🪐🔭
New HLSP: First results from the Rocky Worlds DDT program are now available at MAST! This release includes calibrated light curves, model fits, preliminary eclipse depth estimation, and auxiliary data for GJ 3929 b. archive.stsci.edu/hlsp/rocky-w... #HLSP #RockyWorlds #JWST #HST #Exoplanets #MAST 🔭
September 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Excited to share the 1st High-Level Science Product release from the Rocky Words DDT! Each RWDDT eclipse will result in HLSPs which you can use for preliminary science investigations or as a starting point for your own reduction/fit. Awesome work by Tyler Baines, Achrène Dyrek, and the RWDDT CIT
🪐🔭
🪐🔭
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Join us tomorrow (September 10) at 11:00 EDT to learn about What's New in JWST Cycle 5! Presenters will cover policy changes, tips on proposal writing, and updates to available tools.
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JWebbinar 45 - What's New in JWST Cycle 5
www.stsci.edu
September 9, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Join us tomorrow (September 10) at 11:00 EDT to learn about What's New in JWST Cycle 5! Presenters will cover policy changes, tips on proposal writing, and updates to available tools.
🔭
🔭
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Read the latest about JWST's Rocky Worlds Director's Discretionary Time program, including final targets and an upcoming information session: ow.ly/mgxA50WReQt
September 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Read the latest about JWST's Rocky Worlds Director's Discretionary Time program, including final targets and an upcoming information session: ow.ly/mgxA50WReQt
Reposted by Taylor Bell
The Rocky Worlds DDT has published our final target list. Join us for an information session on September 15 to learn more about the 9 targeted planets and the goals of the program.
🔭 #exoplanets
🔭 #exoplanets
Rocky Worlds DDT Updates: Final Target List and Virtual Information Session
www.stsci.edu
September 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The Rocky Worlds DDT has published our final target list. Join us for an information session on September 15 to learn more about the 9 targeted planets and the goals of the program.
🔭 #exoplanets
🔭 #exoplanets
Reposted by Taylor Bell
STScI is now accepting applications for the Giacconi Fellowship in astrophysics. Start date is Fall 2026 and funding is available for 3 years. More info here: www.stsci.edu/stsci-resear...
Giacconi Fellowship
Learn about the requirements for STScI’s Giacconi Fellowship, which recognizes postdoctoral researchers in astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science.
www.stsci.edu
August 28, 2025 at 3:09 AM
STScI is now accepting applications for the Giacconi Fellowship in astrophysics. Start date is Fall 2026 and funding is available for 3 years. More info here: www.stsci.edu/stsci-resear...
Reposted by Taylor Bell
“Our results confirm that there is no statistical significance for DMS or DMDS in K2-18 b's atmosphere. … we estimate that ~25 more MIRI transits would be needed for a 3-sigma rejection of a flat line relative to DMS/DMDS features ….” arxiv.org/abs/2505.13407
Insufficient evidence for DMS and DMDS in the atmosphere of K2-18 b. From a joint analysis of JWST NIRISS, NIRSpec, and MIRI observations
Recent JWST observations of the temperate sub-Neptune K2-18 b have been interpreted as suggestive of a liquid water ocean with possible biological activity. Signatures of DMS and DMDS have been claime...
arxiv.org
May 21, 2025 at 11:19 AM
“Our results confirm that there is no statistical significance for DMS or DMDS in K2-18 b's atmosphere. … we estimate that ~25 more MIRI transits would be needed for a 3-sigma rejection of a flat line relative to DMS/DMDS features ….” arxiv.org/abs/2505.13407
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Upcoming JWebbinar on Exoplanet Time Series Observations, special MIRI edition! The @spacetelescope.bsky.social #JWST MIRI team has some great transiting exoplanet experts (including @taylorbell275.bsky.social) and they will be presenting this JWebbinar - registration details below.
Registration is now open for the next #JWST JWebbinar – Exoplanet Time-Series Observations with MIRI: From Pixels to Transit/Eclipse Light Curves to Results – to be held on May 5th. Get the details: ow.ly/r0VK50VxvbB
April 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Upcoming JWebbinar on Exoplanet Time Series Observations, special MIRI edition! The @spacetelescope.bsky.social #JWST MIRI team has some great transiting exoplanet experts (including @taylorbell275.bsky.social) and they will be presenting this JWebbinar - registration details below.
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Hey, artists, in case you were wondering if your work matters: I'm a scientist working on climate change and biodiversity, and I would not be who I am today without The Lorax, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn, and The X-Files. I know I'm not alone. Thank you for all you do.
February 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Hey, artists, in case you were wondering if your work matters: I'm a scientist working on climate change and biodiversity, and I would not be who I am today without The Lorax, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn, and The X-Files. I know I'm not alone. Thank you for all you do.
Literally moments away from being safely transported to Maryland on a big auto transport truck, our car got rear ended while stationary... Thankfully still drivable and en route to Maryland, but really not what we were hoping for today...
🚗 💥 🚗
🚗 💥 🚗
January 21, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Literally moments away from being safely transported to Maryland on a big auto transport truck, our car got rear ended while stationary... Thankfully still drivable and en route to Maryland, but really not what we were hoping for today...
🚗 💥 🚗
🚗 💥 🚗
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Proud to see the special collection of Transiting Exoplanet Community Early Release Science papers out (all open-access)! www.nature.com/collections/...
This has been such a whirlwind of effort over the last few years, with a great team - it's hard to even imagine the pre-JWST era now.
This has been such a whirlwind of effort over the last few years, with a great team - it's hard to even imagine the pre-JWST era now.
www.nature.com
January 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Proud to see the special collection of Transiting Exoplanet Community Early Release Science papers out (all open-access)! www.nature.com/collections/...
This has been such a whirlwind of effort over the last few years, with a great team - it's hard to even imagine the pre-JWST era now.
This has been such a whirlwind of effort over the last few years, with a great team - it's hard to even imagine the pre-JWST era now.
Excited to share that on Jan 27th I'll be starting at @spacetelescope.bsky.social as an ESA/AURA Astronomer on the JWST/MIRI team! Thrilled to be joining an amazing group of people where I'll spend 50% of my time on support work (including supporting the Rocky Worlds DDT 🪐) and 50% on research 🔭
January 13, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Excited to share that on Jan 27th I'll be starting at @spacetelescope.bsky.social as an ESA/AURA Astronomer on the JWST/MIRI team! Thrilled to be joining an amazing group of people where I'll spend 50% of my time on support work (including supporting the Rocky Worlds DDT 🪐) and 50% on research 🔭
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Exoplaneteers! The leads of the @spacetelescope.bsky.social Rocky Worlds program with Hubble and JWST will be providing an update for the community on Jan 21st at 11 am Eastern Time. You're encouraged to submit your questions ahead of the event. More info here > www.stsci.edu/contents/new... 🔭
Rocky Worlds DDT Information Session Coming Soon
www.stsci.edu
January 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Exoplaneteers! The leads of the @spacetelescope.bsky.social Rocky Worlds program with Hubble and JWST will be providing an update for the community on Jan 21st at 11 am Eastern Time. You're encouraged to submit your questions ahead of the event. More info here > www.stsci.edu/contents/new... 🔭
Reposted by Taylor Bell
Happy to announce v1.0 of Eureka! for JWST time-series observations, with bug patches and new features. We made several backwards-compatibility breaking changes to make the pipeline easier to use and easier to maintain. Please check out the new version github.com/kevin218/Eur... 🔭🪐
Release v1.0: Major release that breaks backward compatibility in favor of simplicity and efficiency · kevin218/Eureka
What's Changed
Calibrated MIRI spectra by @kevin218 in #585
Accounting for light travel time in starry model by @taylorbell57 in #587
Logging Eureka! version and CRDS pmap by @taylorbell57 in #581...
github.com
October 1, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Happy to announce v1.0 of Eureka! for JWST time-series observations, with bug patches and new features. We made several backwards-compatibility breaking changes to make the pipeline easier to use and easier to maintain. Please check out the new version github.com/kevin218/Eur... 🔭🪐
This was a very exciting Hubble+NIRCam+MIRI dataset to work on, and happy to have it published now! A huge congrats to lead author @luiswel.bsky.social
go.nasa.gov/3WNFMh9
go.nasa.gov/3WNFMh9
Webb Cracks Case of Inflated Exoplanet - NASA Science
Why is the warm gas-giant exoplanet WASP-107 b so puffy? Two independent teams of researchers have an answer. Data collected using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, combined with prior observations f...
go.nasa.gov
May 20, 2024 at 4:33 PM
This was a very exciting Hubble+NIRCam+MIRI dataset to work on, and happy to have it published now! A huge congrats to lead author @luiswel.bsky.social
go.nasa.gov/3WNFMh9
go.nasa.gov/3WNFMh9
I was pleased and surprised to be able to see tonight's Aurora from Mountain View, California!
May 11, 2024 at 8:07 AM
I was pleased and surprised to be able to see tonight's Aurora from Mountain View, California!
Really excited to have this amazing JWST Early Release Science paper now published! This was a huge team effort, and it was such a pleasure working with everyone.
go.nasa.gov/4dnI6RR
go.nasa.gov/4dnI6RR
NASA’s Webb Maps Weather on Planet 280 Light-Years Away - NASA Science
An international team of researchers has successfully used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to map the weather on the hot gas-giant exoplanet WASP-43 b. Precise brightness measurements over a broad s...
go.nasa.gov
April 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Really excited to have this amazing JWST Early Release Science paper now published! This was a huge team effort, and it was such a pleasure working with everyone.
go.nasa.gov/4dnI6RR
go.nasa.gov/4dnI6RR
"The proposal does not adequately address the out of field impact, which counts as 1/3 of the total rating."
Are others surprised that this was weighted so heavily for JWST Cycle 3? What are we supposed to say: "It is critically important to study Exoplanet # b to understand galactic formation"? 🪐🔭
Are others surprised that this was weighted so heavily for JWST Cycle 3? What are we supposed to say: "It is critically important to study Exoplanet # b to understand galactic formation"? 🪐🔭
February 29, 2024 at 4:57 PM
"The proposal does not adequately address the out of field impact, which counts as 1/3 of the total rating."
Are others surprised that this was weighted so heavily for JWST Cycle 3? What are we supposed to say: "It is critically important to study Exoplanet # b to understand galactic formation"? 🪐🔭
Are others surprised that this was weighted so heavily for JWST Cycle 3? What are we supposed to say: "It is critically important to study Exoplanet # b to understand galactic formation"? 🪐🔭