Artemis II ends its historic lunar journey After looping around the moon, the Artemis II crew — and their capsule’s heat shield — passed the mission’s final major test: coming home.

WHEW
www.sciencenews.org/article/arte...

On moonshots and Minneapolis Space exploration can bring people together and reflect deep societal divisions.

I had the honor of editing this essay by my friend and colleague @astrolisa.bsky.social. As she wrote in her pitch: "Space exploration is never separate from the planet it starts on and the people who live there." www.sciencenews.org/article/moon...

Huge thanks to @cassiemartin.bsky.social for helping me say what I needed to say here. ❤️

On moonshots and Minneapolis Space exploration can bring people together and reflect deep societal divisions.

I've been really struggling to write about space while living through the ICE occupation in Minneapolis this winter. I was shocked to find myself thinking, "Who cares about sending people to the moon?"

That feeling is more historically resonant than I thought. 🧪🔭
www.sciencenews.org/article/moon...

Yes this

Latest Comet 3I/ATLAS news: Comet close approach today Friday, Dec. 19, 2025: Your daily feed for the holiday flyby of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS by Earth.

Happy interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS closest approach day to those who celebrate! 🧪🔭☄️
www.space.com/news/live/in...

"... innovative ways to strengthen the camaraderie we built over the years. Instead our leaders doubled down and created two employee streams — remote and in office — hurting both parties in the process." @sujatagupta.bsky.social

"When pandemic restrictions lifted, I had hoped the company would create a new normal, one that valued and recognized the myriad ways in which we all showed up to work even when we could not show up in person. I had hoped the company would find ..."

"I want to keep sharing the wonder of the universe with our readers alongside a strong team with sustainable working conditions, where all of our contributions are valued and respected equally." @astrolisa.bsky.social

"We’ve demonstrated that we can do our jobs, and do them well, from all over the country and even world. We’ve built a collaborative team that thrives on trust and respect. But we need the support of our employer to keep delivering the award-winning reporting we’re known for." Jill Sakai

"The pandemic proved we can do award-winning science journalism from anywhere in the world. I and my colleagues who are fully remote continue to prove it every day. If only the Society could see that it’s the work and the people that matter, not where they sit and when." Chris Crockett

"Clear, informed reporting is as crucial now as it has ever been. Yet it doesn’t always feel like that work is appreciated. Our CEO has gotten raises that outpace my salary — as well as some other people on staff — while many of ours barely keep up with rising costs." @viruswhiz.bsky.social

"We all know, deep in our bones, that what we do is foundational to a functional, literate society. That's true today more than ever before. None of us do this job for the money, but we do ask for fair treatment." @laura-sanders.bsky.social

Our remote workers may not be able to join the #picket, but they have things to say too!

"I would love to believe that the @society4science.bsky.social believes in us. Instead, I am in disbelief at how little they offer those who pour so much of themselves into its mission." @nikkogasa.bsky.social

I'm so proud of my @sn-media-guild.bsky.social colleagues, who have been picketing in front of the schmancy new @society4science.bsky.social building ALL DAY LONG. They are so cool and smart and funny and have so much freaking stamina 🥹

Astrophysics Data System (ADS) User Feedback Survey Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) digital library. Your insights will help us improve the platform and better serve the scientific community. All ...

Hey, astronomers. Can you imagine astronomy research without ADS?!?!? No? So, have you filled out the ADS survey yet?

Help archives help you!

(Help archives keep funding!)

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Our @sn-media-guild.bsky.social reporters are multitalented!

12 hours until the workers of the Science News Media Guild will conduct a 24-hour #strike. This comes after our members voted to reject the @society4science.bsky.social's latest contract proposal. Rally with us for a fair contract on 11/5, from 8 AM to 8 PM at 1776 Massachusetts Ave, NW.

Here we go ✊

The Lies Have It: Advice for Journalists Approaching Misinformation Kai Kupferschmidt, KSJ '24, shares actionable tips for journalists seeking to reduce the harm of misinformation.

@kakape.bsky.social KSJ '24, shares actionable tips for journalists seeking to reduce the harm of misinformation.

ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/10...

Calls to restart nuclear weapons tests stir dismay and debate among scientists Many scientists say “subcritical” experiments and computer simulations make nuclear weapons testing unnecessary.

See my recent feature on nuclear weapons testing for explanations www.sciencenews.org/article/nucl...

Annotating Trump's statement on nuclear weapons. (My comments in []):
Trump: The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. [No it doesn’t.]This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. [No it wasn’t.]

How Pluto Helped Me Accept My Trans Partner's New Name Or, how I learned to stop worrying and love calling my husband by his masculine moniker…with a little help from everyone's favorite dwarf planet.

I wrote a love letter to my husband, and also Pluto.
www.narratively.com/p/pluto-tran...

ooh this is relevant to my interests

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin ✨ figured out what stars are made of ✨ when she was just 25. 🔭🧪

Her PhD thesis basically established the Harvard astro department — at a time when Harvard didn't officially allow woman students.

I wrote this little profile to mark the 100th anniversary of her thesis:

Duffy says today's announcement is consistent with "the president's vision and mission of continuing science to support human exploration beyond Earth."

Fact check: this administration has proposed canceling Mars sample return.

To sum up: we have

🪨 A cool rock from #Mars that may or may not hold evidence of ancient life

🛰️ An internal fight over whether NASA should spend its money on science or human exploration, and on what planet

🤔 A totally uncertain future for this amazing rock

🧪

There are many layers going on in this NASA press conference. Notably, the head of science Nicky Fox just gave a hard sell for NASA science missions, in the presence of the acting administrator who has not said a lot about science to-date.

omg I want one

Is that a Percy stuffy?? 😍