Every serious step forward on Venus helps us interpret rocky exoplanets better. “Earth-size” does not automatically mean Earth-like, and Venus is the Solar System reminder that planetary evolution can take a very different turn.
I hear you. I used to have a recurring dream of descending through the atmosphere of Venus in a "submersible", only to implode before I reached the surface. Similar to Michael Biehn's epic scene from Abyss: www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-jW...
Alpha Regio is one of the most interesting places in the Solar System. Its tessera terrain may preserve clues to ancient crustal processes on Venus, and DAVINCI is designed to explore that story by descending through the atmosphere to the surface.
Venus isn’t just our nearest planetary neighbor. It’s one of the best tests we have for how rocky worlds diverge. If we want to understand habitability, climate evolution, and Earth-size exoplanets, we need the full Venus story.
Voyager 1 and 2 continue to inspire me and they explore between the stars.
science.nasa.gov/blogs/voyage...
There are two Earth-size planets in this image.
The use of AI in bringing history to life is something I can definitely get behind. This video, showing the birth and growth of Sydney using AI generated from original paintings, is absolutely beautiful!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjZB...
My episode of the UCR podcast "The Reference Desk" is now available, in which I talk all about planetary habitability, both in science and science-fiction.
open.spotify.com/episode/7eMa...
Honesty is the best policy! 😂
Agreed! I've also told people that I interpret a "gentle reminder" email as the person speaking "MOVE YOUR ASS!" directly into my face with a megaphone.
If it helps Paul, I put us on Mars fighting the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Yeah ... "outreach" ... lets call it that!
ZACTLY!!!
There's a whole lot of heresy out there they you and I have to deal with.
As you wish!
I'm having way too much fun with this. #Warhammer40k
Very sad to hear of the passing of one of my favorite actors, Robert Duvall. His portrayal of the Legendary Texas Ranger, Captain Augustus "Gus" McCrae, is one of the greatest characters ever to appear on screen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBG2...
An important message from our sibling world.
Did you know that the Soviet Venera 4 lander was designed to float in case of a water landing, and reorient itself to transmit from the surface? It was decisively crushed by Venus atmosphere during descent, precipitating a massive redesign of future Venera landers.
This week in my "Planets in Science Fiction" class, I will be discussing the amazing short story "Nightfall" by Isaac Asimov and its insights into the nature of scientific bias. Also be sure to check out the incredible work of @planetplanet.bsky.social at planetplanet.net.
D&D monsters. Currently using a device named dracolich.
I know it's called the "Habitable Worlds Observatory", but what about uninhabitable worlds? Check out the below paper to learn what HWO can teach us about our sister planet and its analogs that are scattered among the stars!
arxiv.org/abs/2602.02728
Ok since I apparently have a little slice of Bluesky's attention regarding planets right now, allow me to rant a little.
This week's newsletter post is all about talking about exoplanets and why we might not want to call any of them "Earth-like" for a few decades 🧪🔭
Me too!! I'm all in!!
This is an amazing book by an incredible author! Jason put a monumental amount research into this tome, and it really shows. I highly recommend it!
I'm definitely coming to yours for a game night the next time I'm in town!!
Right?? How is this even possible? Coincidences like this must cause a rupture in space-time! 😂
One week ago, an asteroid was named after me by the IAU. Today, I discovered that this song exists. I am in awe!! 🤣
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahdA...
