Misty Bentz
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astronomisty.bsky.social
Misty Bentz
@astronomisty.bsky.social
Astronomer and Professor at Georgia State University. She/Her. Big fan of black holes, cats, and cross-stitch. Seestar smart telescope enthusiast. Novice gardener with a penchant for native plants.
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Sitting outside at night with my little telescope and marveling at our universe. We are so lucky to be alive and witnessing these wonders, and we are also so small and alone, together, in a vast and empty space. It’s a good reminder that we MUST take care of each other; we are all we have.
Reposted by Misty Bentz
Y'all the latest episode of the #Kilauea #eruption just went CRAZY. It looks like pressure built up enough to explode out the ground around the two existing vents (first few seconds), leading to a massive surge in lava fountaining.🌋🤯

USGS Live stream: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiyt...
December 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Misty Bentz
I think too often physics students unconsciously have the idea that some people have brains that are "natural" for physics and some don't and who knows maybe that's true to some extent but regardless of natural tendency at some point everyone has to practice practice practice
December 4, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The sky conditions are Not Great for observing tonight 🔭
December 4, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Just saw Michael Buble singing at Rockefeller Center, so it’s time once again for this SNL skit 😂

m.youtube.com/watch?v=cLC7...
Michael Bublé Christmas Duets - SNL
YouTube video by Saturday Night Live
m.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Reposted by Misty Bentz
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”

Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
December 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I have exceeded my limit and I just can’t anymore today. Even so, I wanted to share this pretty image of NGC 281, the Pacman Nebula. It’s about 9000 light years away in the direction of Cassiopeia.

5.3 hrs, #Seestar S50 from N. Atlanta suburbs 🔭 🧪
Siril, GraXpert, Starnet, GIMP
December 3, 2025 at 12:35 AM
0mg, A Man on the Inside is set on a campus with a bunch of wacky professors this season 😂
the man is wearing glasses and a bow tie and is giving a thumbs up .
Alt: Michael from The Good Place is wearing glasses and a bow tie and is giving a thumbs up .
media.tenor.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:43 AM
It’s the last day of Nov and we have already had freezing temperatures overnight a few times, but my Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) is still happily blooming! 🌱 🌺 #nativeplants
More info re. this SE native: www.wildflower.org/plants/resul...
November 30, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Stabby stabby 🧶
November 30, 2025 at 1:44 AM
My first attempt with IC 1805, the Heart Nebula, which is about 7500 light years away in the direction of Cassiopeia. Open cluster Melotte 15 at its center contains young stars that are heating the surrounding gas and causing it to glow.

4.1hrs, #Seestar S50 🔭 🧪
Siril, GraXpert, Starnet, GIMP
November 29, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Misty Bentz
I think life would be better if more people read books and spent time looking up at the stars
November 29, 2025 at 8:16 AM
This was actually a pretty cute movie. It’s the least terrible Christmas movie I’ve seen this year (TBH I’ve already watched quite a few…)
Locally produced comedy movie ‘Festival of Trees’ brings laughter, heart, and magic this holiday season - Georgia Entertainment
This holiday season, Argentum Entertainment is thrilled to announce Festival of Trees, a holiday comedy set against the backdrop of Atlanta’s vibrant arts community.
www.georgiaentertainment.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Setting up the #Seestar 🔭 and I’m reminded how much I love the effect of the streetlamp on this particular beech tree in the fall
November 27, 2025 at 10:59 PM
In between rounds of stuffing yourself silly, please enjoy SH 2-157, the Lobster Claw Nebula 🦞
Associated with the young star-forming region Cassiopeia OB2, it’s located about 7000 light years away in the Perseus arm of our Milky Way galaxy.

7.4hrs, #Seestar S50 🔭 🧪
Siril, GraXpert, GIMP, Starnet
November 27, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Happy Thanksgiving from us to you!
November 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I might not wait until tomorrow to cut into this plum frangipane tart!
It’s just for the two of us and my husband is not a dessert fan anyway, so…
November 26, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Some progress 🧶 #crossstitch
November 26, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Some beautiful lava fountains right now! 🌋
November 26, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Reposted by Misty Bentz
This is an incredible image of comet 3I/ATLAS, taken by Satoru Murata ICQ Comet Observations group on 16 November 2025 from western New Mexico.

Structure within the major dust tail from the comet is clearly visible, together with two smaller jets trailing the nucleus and maybe even an anti-tail.
November 24, 2025 at 11:50 PM
All kitties are the cutest kitties 🥰
November 24, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Good evening Luna
November 23, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Reposted by Misty Bentz
An honor and dream come true to perform alongside Yo-Yo Ma, presented by Celebrity Series at Boston Symphony Hall. 💜

🎼Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
November 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Little friend helped me with a small project in the garden today. 🌱 #bugsky
November 22, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Reposted by Misty Bentz
Guion Stewart Bluford Jr was born #OTD in 1942.

Engineer, computational fluid dynamicist, decorated Air Force pilot, veteran of four shuttle missions, and the first Black American in space. 🧪 🔭 ⚛️

Image: NASA
November 22, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Jason Mendoza approves
November 21, 2025 at 10:42 PM