Maria Varmazis
@varmaz.is
🎙️ Host of T-Minus #Space Daily podcast, Hacking Humans, Sticky Pickles
🪐 #NASAsocial alum, JWST fan
🚴🏻♀️ Cycling, comics, visual arts, astronomy, gardening, geekitude & nerdery
📍Massachusetts 💖
Opinions mine alone, not my shows'
"Too colorful to be AI"
🪐 #NASAsocial alum, JWST fan
🚴🏻♀️ Cycling, comics, visual arts, astronomy, gardening, geekitude & nerdery
📍Massachusetts 💖
Opinions mine alone, not my shows'
"Too colorful to be AI"
Pinned
Maria Varmazis
@varmaz.is
· Nov 21
#introduction thread! Here's a bit about me:
Professionally, I'm a podcast host for T-Minus Space Daily, providing daily intel briefings for space professionals.
I also co-host Hacking Humans, where we cover scams and social engineering schemes every week. (1/4)
Professionally, I'm a podcast host for T-Minus Space Daily, providing daily intel briefings for space professionals.
I also co-host Hacking Humans, where we cover scams and social engineering schemes every week. (1/4)
Snagged one of the Market Basket ornaments. I still need the parking lot Christmas tree, but the clock was my fave. Glad I found one.
November 26, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Snagged one of the Market Basket ornaments. I still need the parking lot Christmas tree, but the clock was my fave. Glad I found one.
I'm prepping for Thanksgiving in earnest now, while also excited for the holiday AND getting ready for my upcoming work trip to Tallinn, Estonia on Sunday.
It'll be a very quick trip but I'm thrilled to be going.
It'll be a very quick trip but I'm thrilled to be going.
November 25, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I'm prepping for Thanksgiving in earnest now, while also excited for the holiday AND getting ready for my upcoming work trip to Tallinn, Estonia on Sunday.
It'll be a very quick trip but I'm thrilled to be going.
It'll be a very quick trip but I'm thrilled to be going.
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
There’s so gorgeously clear skies above me tonight, if that’s the case for you too, this time of year is PERFECT for anyone wanting to see the stars ✨
The big fan faves are all there to see.
Right now, Taurus is visible, including the asterism which makes part of this constellation: the Pleiades
The big fan faves are all there to see.
Right now, Taurus is visible, including the asterism which makes part of this constellation: the Pleiades
November 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM
There’s so gorgeously clear skies above me tonight, if that’s the case for you too, this time of year is PERFECT for anyone wanting to see the stars ✨
The big fan faves are all there to see.
Right now, Taurus is visible, including the asterism which makes part of this constellation: the Pleiades
The big fan faves are all there to see.
Right now, Taurus is visible, including the asterism which makes part of this constellation: the Pleiades
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
These sisters are defectors from North Korea and recently came to the US for the first time - specifically starting in Boston. What a treat to see our city through their perspective! It's really charming. (h/t r/boston)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeU1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeU1...
E4. 🇰🇵 🇺🇸North Korean Sisters SHOCKED by Boston Streets!
YouTube video by Hanaya
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:16 PM
These sisters are defectors from North Korea and recently came to the US for the first time - specifically starting in Boston. What a treat to see our city through their perspective! It's really charming. (h/t r/boston)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeU1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeU1...
Wow. Uh, wow. Put that move down as a hell of an unforced error.
November 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Wow. Uh, wow. Put that move down as a hell of an unforced error.
THANKSGIVENING HATH BEGUN. Trying out the turkey brine method in Alton Brown’s latest video (youtu.be/hdUXDhIBxis)
November 24, 2025 at 12:33 AM
THANKSGIVENING HATH BEGUN. Trying out the turkey brine method in Alton Brown’s latest video (youtu.be/hdUXDhIBxis)
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
It's less knowing how to cook and more knowing how to prep. A classic Thanksgiving dinners requires very little in the way of culinary skills, but it takes days of prep -- and ten pounds of butter
the “thanksgiving food is bad” discourse raises its ugly head every year, but the truth remains that thanksgiving food can be amazing as long as you know how to cook. the problem is we’re throwing a few million sunday drivers directly into a grand prix
I think this is unfair to turkey. turkey is good but hard to cook well because it is so damn big. turkey *parts* are great but lack the esthetic appeal of a centerpiece bird.
November 23, 2025 at 9:08 PM
It's less knowing how to cook and more knowing how to prep. A classic Thanksgiving dinners requires very little in the way of culinary skills, but it takes days of prep -- and ten pounds of butter
Enthusiastic recommendation to check out the Worcester Art Museum if you haven’t been in a while. Love the curation and direction, and the new armor exhibit (from the old Higgins collection) is stellar.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Enthusiastic recommendation to check out the Worcester Art Museum if you haven’t been in a while. Love the curation and direction, and the new armor exhibit (from the old Higgins collection) is stellar.
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
Boston's Mayor Wu playing with Yo-Yo Ma at Symphony Hall
November 23, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Boston's Mayor Wu playing with Yo-Yo Ma at Symphony Hall
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
Here's an opportunity to visit NASA and attend the launch of the Artemis II mission to the Moon. Non-US citizens can apply. 🔭 🧪 www.nasa.gov/general/expe...
Experience the Launch of Artemis II - NASA
Lee esta nota en español aquí
www.nasa.gov
November 22, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Here's an opportunity to visit NASA and attend the launch of the Artemis II mission to the Moon. Non-US citizens can apply. 🔭 🧪 www.nasa.gov/general/expe...
I don't allow my kid to use Roblox, I never have, and I continue to feel good about that decision.
This interview is a snapshot into where tech companies are with online harassment right now.
They know how to end it, but they decided not to spend the money. They’re prioritizing growth (and profit) above all else. And they’re blaming YOU for logging on to the platform they designed to be unsafe.
They know how to end it, but they decided not to spend the money. They’re prioritizing growth (and profit) above all else. And they’re blaming YOU for logging on to the platform they designed to be unsafe.
We Asked Roblox’s C.E.O. About Child Safety. It Got Tense.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I don't allow my kid to use Roblox, I never have, and I continue to feel good about that decision.
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
A lot of folks, including kids, who saw my speech on Tuesday really liked it and thought it was helpful, so I thought I'd post it online - it's an overview of just how nonlinear my path to science was. Maybe it'll help you or someone you know too: medium.com/@adeene.dent...
A Planetary Scientist’s Guide to Finding Your Momentum
This essay is adapted from a speech I gave at my local high school on November 18, 2025. If you’re a kid, have a kid, or just need a…
medium.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:21 PM
A lot of folks, including kids, who saw my speech on Tuesday really liked it and thought it was helpful, so I thought I'd post it online - it's an overview of just how nonlinear my path to science was. Maybe it'll help you or someone you know too: medium.com/@adeene.dent...
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
It's Friday, and apparently bluesky is ready for this fun revelation:
Dinosaurs lived on the other side the Galaxy.
Dinosaurs lived on the other side the Galaxy.
November 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
It's Friday, and apparently bluesky is ready for this fun revelation:
Dinosaurs lived on the other side the Galaxy.
Dinosaurs lived on the other side the Galaxy.
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
talkin' about the AI bubble
November 20, 2025 at 6:56 PM
talkin' about the AI bubble
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
A giant impact between proto-Earth and a planet called Theia produced the Moon. Hopp et al. use isotopic measurements of lunar samples and cosmochemical modelling to show that Theia formed in the inner Solar System, probably closer to the Sun than Earth. ☄️ #planetsci
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The Moon-forming impactor Theia originated from the inner Solar System
The Moon formed from a giant impact of a planetary body, called Theia, with proto-Earth. It is unknown whether Theia formed in the inner or outer Solar System. We measured iron isotopes in lunar sampl...
www.science.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:52 PM
A giant impact between proto-Earth and a planet called Theia produced the Moon. Hopp et al. use isotopic measurements of lunar samples and cosmochemical modelling to show that Theia formed in the inner Solar System, probably closer to the Sun than Earth. ☄️ #planetsci
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
For an alternative to the tuxedo tshirt, may I suggest the bike jersey version.
When my husband biked up Mt. Washington in 2022, he wore a tuxedo bike jersey. Photo proof that lycra hides sweat well, and for a politician, I'm sure it'd be great for coffee stains and uh... anything else, better.
When my husband biked up Mt. Washington in 2022, he wore a tuxedo bike jersey. Photo proof that lycra hides sweat well, and for a politician, I'm sure it'd be great for coffee stains and uh... anything else, better.
November 21, 2025 at 1:57 AM
For an alternative to the tuxedo tshirt, may I suggest the bike jersey version.
When my husband biked up Mt. Washington in 2022, he wore a tuxedo bike jersey. Photo proof that lycra hides sweat well, and for a politician, I'm sure it'd be great for coffee stains and uh... anything else, better.
When my husband biked up Mt. Washington in 2022, he wore a tuxedo bike jersey. Photo proof that lycra hides sweat well, and for a politician, I'm sure it'd be great for coffee stains and uh... anything else, better.
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
The sky is a blank slate for us to project images buried deep in our minds. I look at this gorgeous new JWST image & see a human embryo.
(It's actually two dying stars circling each other, casting out shells of dust. Which is a pretty cool image, too.) 🧪🔭
science.nasa.gov/missions/web...
(It's actually two dying stars circling each other, casting out shells of dust. Which is a pretty cool image, too.) 🧪🔭
science.nasa.gov/missions/web...
November 20, 2025 at 4:52 PM
The sky is a blank slate for us to project images buried deep in our minds. I look at this gorgeous new JWST image & see a human embryo.
(It's actually two dying stars circling each other, casting out shells of dust. Which is a pretty cool image, too.) 🧪🔭
science.nasa.gov/missions/web...
(It's actually two dying stars circling each other, casting out shells of dust. Which is a pretty cool image, too.) 🧪🔭
science.nasa.gov/missions/web...
This is my new favorite thing EVER
November 20, 2025 at 2:58 PM
This is my new favorite thing EVER
An unexpected joy of my kitties Cookie and Pumpkin has been taking them to the vet! They both have very chill temperaments so getting them to the vet was SO easy, and their full bloodwork check reveals they are both in perfect health. It's so nice to get happy vet phone calls!
November 20, 2025 at 2:54 PM
An unexpected joy of my kitties Cookie and Pumpkin has been taking them to the vet! They both have very chill temperaments so getting them to the vet was SO easy, and their full bloodwork check reveals they are both in perfect health. It's so nice to get happy vet phone calls!
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
For the astronomers: I found an accretion disk diagram cheese. A quesar.
November 20, 2025 at 12:47 PM
For the astronomers: I found an accretion disk diagram cheese. A quesar.
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
“Your parents are so cool and quick-witted. I guess what people say is true—it’s impossible to make fun of elder millennials.”
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/thi...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/thi...
Things My Tween’s Friends Probably Aren’t Saying During Their Sleepover at Our House
“Your parents keep such a clean and tidy house. You’d never know they have kids.” “No thanks, I’ve seen enough YouTube. It’s a little passé at this...
www.mcsweeneys.net
November 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
“Your parents are so cool and quick-witted. I guess what people say is true—it’s impossible to make fun of elder millennials.”
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/thi...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/thi...
Reposted by Maria Varmazis
