Maybe something went terribly wrong with the author's bookkeeping (i.e., retrieving IDs of interesting candidates from some giant sample table).
These days, though, Occam's Razor says AI. :/
This week, NASA announced it had shut down one of that spacecraft's remaining science instruments — not because the mission has failed, but to keep it alive a little longer. n.pr/41HfdLS
The first time I experienced this I was so confused about my feelings -- because someone was trying to be nice by holding back like that, so why was it making me so bummed out?
Packing to leave for a conference tomorrow and suddenly realized I'm supposed to GIVE A TALK the morning I arrive. A literal nightmare -- seriously, a nightmare I've actually had many times before -- almost came to life right there, oh boy.
Our REU renewal was funded!
We found out today so we are accepting applications now! Like right now!
Application review is going to happen swiftly as we know we’re are late in the typical cycle.
pa.msu.edu/undergraduat...
#reu #physics #astronomy #research
I felt the same way in San Diego! I mean, do people truly enjoy hiking in 95 degrees, full direct sunlight, no shade in sight? It's like hiking across the face of Mercury!
Being practiced at doing nothing is such a superpower. At a coffee shop or conference I can just sit and watch for familiar faces. Or when my phone is low battery, I can preserve it so easily.
The community and academic vibe at Reed was so important for forming my current learning and teaching philosophies. No grades, living the life of the mind, etc. etc. I hope we don't lose too many more academically "weird" schools in the coming years.
Finally Hampshire College is closing for real.
As someone who attended another weird hippie school (Reed), I feel so much affinity with Hampshire. I'm co-advising a Hampshire Div III project (i.e. thesis) right now and it's been so cool to get insight into their world.
Hey, that's where I went! It was seriously a dream. Big congratulations to him, and well done to you as parents :)
On the plus side lately, my first honors thesis student is finishing up their impactful project, and soon my 12 observational astro students will be finishing their mini-research projects on SO MANY cool topics. This is the best part of the semester.
The odds of me quitting astronomy were already kinda high, because now I need the next job to be permanent and in a safe state -- and how is that possible with only 1 postdoc, in this environment? But this really adds a nail to that coffin. This is eating me up inside constantly rn
Yes exactly! My spouse works retail so his days off are really unpredictable.
I know the answer is "don't have babies during postdoc", but then I'd be starting at age 37-38, no way I'm rolling those dice on something this important to us. :/
Parenting is turnout to be ridiculously, terribly incompatible with my "early-career academic" schedule.
If I'm out of town for a talk, conference, observing, etc., someone needs to pick up my daughter from daycare each day and watch her until my spouse gets home. How can I say yes to anything? 🧪🔭
My grad TA has come up with an amazing 2-hour activity for his first experience leading our class tonight, and I'm so bummed that all our thoughts will be elsewhere instead. Class is at 7:00 EDT 😬
Graphic with the text "Action Alert: AAS urges advocacy against proposed cuts to science in President's Budget Request"
The President's Budget Request proposes a 47% cut to NASA Science, a 55% cut to NSF, and a 13% cut to the DOE Office of Science. AAS President Dr. Dara Norman sent a call to action to AAS members via email today. Urge your members of Congress to reject these cuts now! aas.org/reject-2027-...
I don't know the answer, but the flawed success parameters are also what creates the yearly bloodbath of grad apps (in combo with sheer number of applicants) and hyper-competitive vying for undergrad research positions. The system is def broken, with so many ripple effects.
"A slow, comfortable drift toward not understanding what you're doing" -- this is exactly the problem. This should be required reading for everyone in our field, especially those earliest-career students.
Well, I would also put human Moon landing missions pretty low on the priority list too, tbh. I just think sending any sort of probe out there is inspiring, as is the engineering feat of life-supporting space flight.
A small child sits with her back to us, watching the rocket launch on TV.
Rocket launches are always inspiring on such a deep level. We watched it together. :) 🔭
Hi astronomers 🔭 -- we have a couple openings this year on SGMA, our LGBT+ AAS committee. Please consider applying! It's fun work!! :)
Deadline is April 18, and the application is a google form (see the post below).
Teaching Baby to crawl using all her favorite objects: electrical cords, fingernail clippers, TV remote, cell phone. (their illicit nature is a draw, apparently)
Once upon a time, you'd go to give a talk at another university and a nice administrator would hand you a W-9 to sign and they'd send you a check in the mail for the honorarium.
Now you have to spend a half hour entering data on a Special Contractor Website that was designed in a lab by sadists.
Our 7-month-old (human) likes to take her bottles like this, and it's pretty super adorable. Maybe a bad habit, but it's hard to say no.
#AAS248 The Society's FAMOUS Travel Grants program helps members from historically underrepresented groups attend AAS meetings. Grant requests for the summer meeting (14-18 June 2026) are due by 16 April. aas.org/grants-and-p... 🔭
Spring break 2026: two days of blissful, uninterrupted work, five days of being a human sofa because Baby is sick again. 😭
Me standing in front of the dome building at MIT in Boston. The sky is cloudy but bright, and I am squinting.
Visiting MIT Kavli today to give a talk. Today started rainy but I guess it's getting brighter!
This photo is like an I Spy for deer!
The other day someone referred to me as Baby's mommy, and today someone else assumed I'm a straight cis man. Gender is made up lol
This morning it's 48 degrees and misty
and my heart says this is how the air is supposed to feel, just perfect and connected to the world
seems pretty clear we need to move back to Oregon