Marina Koren
@marinakoren.bsky.social
Freelance science journalist. Bylines in National Geographic, The New York Times, and elsewhere. Former staff writer and union boss at The Atlantic.
www.marinakoren.com / Signal: @marinakoren.08
www.marinakoren.com / Signal: @marinakoren.08
Pinned
Marina Koren
@marinakoren.bsky.social
· Jul 31
Marina Koren
marinakoren.com
Fun little freelance thing: I have a website now! Please be gentle, I haven't built a website since the MySpace era marinakoren.com
Reposted by Marina Koren
My first piece of in-person reporting from Thailand!
At the Thai Space Expo in October, space companies flocked to Bangkok to discuss opportunities in the region. What does the future hold?
ter.li/JO
At the Thai Space Expo in October, space companies flocked to Bangkok to discuss opportunities in the region. What does the future hold?
ter.li/JO
Southeast Asia seeks its place in space
At the Thai Space Expo, attendees explored possible futures for the region.
ter.li
December 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
My first piece of in-person reporting from Thailand!
At the Thai Space Expo in October, space companies flocked to Bangkok to discuss opportunities in the region. What does the future hold?
ter.li/JO
At the Thai Space Expo in October, space companies flocked to Bangkok to discuss opportunities in the region. What does the future hold?
ter.li/JO
Reposted by Marina Koren
Day 12 of the 2025 Space Telescope Advent Calendar: A Barred Spiral. This galaxy, NGC 5335, is categorized as a flocculent spiral galaxy, displaying a striking bar-like structure across its center, backdropped by dozens of other more-distant galaxies. Gift link: theatln.tc/pS0boJ4g
December 12, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Day 12 of the 2025 Space Telescope Advent Calendar: A Barred Spiral. This galaxy, NGC 5335, is categorized as a flocculent spiral galaxy, displaying a striking bar-like structure across its center, backdropped by dozens of other more-distant galaxies. Gift link: theatln.tc/pS0boJ4g
Reposted by Marina Koren
This year, we @statnews.com have brought you the stories of who-knows-how-many scientists, federal workers, policy experts, and patients
For the next part of American Science, Shattered we revisit the stories of some of those people and how the year panned out
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/a...
For the next part of American Science, Shattered we revisit the stories of some of those people and how the year panned out
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/a...
Postscripts from the frontlines of Trump's attacks on science: no simple happy endings
Stories from the frontlines of Trump's attack on science: Follow-ups from a year of struggles in Part 7 of our series "American Science, Shattered."
www.statnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This year, we @statnews.com have brought you the stories of who-knows-how-many scientists, federal workers, policy experts, and patients
For the next part of American Science, Shattered we revisit the stories of some of those people and how the year panned out
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/a...
For the next part of American Science, Shattered we revisit the stories of some of those people and how the year panned out
www.statnews.com/2025/12/11/a...
Reposted by Marina Koren
At last, some resolution www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump Revives Billionaire Isaacman’s Nomination to Top NASA Job
President Donald Trump renominated Elon Musk ally Jared Isaacman to lead NASA on Tuesday, a major about-face just five months after the White House ended his candidacy as relations between Trump and M...
www.bloomberg.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:02 PM
At last, some resolution www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Marina Koren
Astronomers sure do conjure up a lot of spooky images when they look out into deep space. A short Halloween thread:
Let's start with the Cosmic Bat Nebula (LDN 43). 🧪🔭
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap24102...
Let's start with the Cosmic Bat Nebula (LDN 43). 🧪🔭
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap24102...
October 31, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Astronomers sure do conjure up a lot of spooky images when they look out into deep space. A short Halloween thread:
Let's start with the Cosmic Bat Nebula (LDN 43). 🧪🔭
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap24102...
Let's start with the Cosmic Bat Nebula (LDN 43). 🧪🔭
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap24102...
An important and deeply reported story from @joshdinner.bsky.social about the hollowing out of NASA, particularly its science centers, where some current employees now refer to "climate" only as "the c-word." www.space.com/space-explor...
NASA is sinking its flagship science center during the government shutdown — and may be breaking the law in the process, critics say
"There is just a general acknowledgement that a lot of what is happening is illegal…"
www.space.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:47 PM
An important and deeply reported story from @joshdinner.bsky.social about the hollowing out of NASA, particularly its science centers, where some current employees now refer to "climate" only as "the c-word." www.space.com/space-explor...
Reposted by Marina Koren
You can't talk me out of thinking there's something just very cool about an image of an interstellar comet taken by a spacecraft orbiting Mars: 🧪 🔭 www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
The Race to Study an Interstellar Comet from Deep Space
Astronomers are hustling to use interplanetary spacecraft to study the interstellar comet dubbed 3I/ATLAS while the sun is hiding it from Earth
www.scientificamerican.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:12 PM
You can't talk me out of thinking there's something just very cool about an image of an interstellar comet taken by a spacecraft orbiting Mars: 🧪 🔭 www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
This took me out
![Pop Base tweets: "Kim Kardashian said on ‘The Kardashians’ that she believes the moon landing was fake:
“They’re gonna say I’m crazy no matter what, but like, go to TikTok. See for yourself. […] There’s no gravity on the moon. Why is the flag blowing? The shoes that they have in the museum that they wore on the moon is a different print in the photos. Why are there no stars?”"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ks3gpa6ftoyaq7hmf6c4qx4c/bafkreickzwdynkak7r4lur6afktglm3gontqsq5r5c7jeewyecyd4dczla@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 1:45 PM
This took me out
Reposted by Marina Koren
This day ten years ago.
On 30 October 2015 the now-destroyed Arecibo radio telescope images this giant skull looming out of the dark of space.
On 30 October 2015 the now-destroyed Arecibo radio telescope images this giant skull looming out of the dark of space.
October 30, 2025 at 5:27 PM
This day ten years ago.
On 30 October 2015 the now-destroyed Arecibo radio telescope images this giant skull looming out of the dark of space.
On 30 October 2015 the now-destroyed Arecibo radio telescope images this giant skull looming out of the dark of space.
Reposted by Marina Koren
Thrilled to share that I'm in the October issue of National Geographic, with a story about two photography buddies—one standing on Earth, the other floating 250 miles above it—and the breathtaking views they captured:
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...
October 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Thrilled to share that I'm in the October issue of National Geographic, with a story about two photography buddies—one standing on Earth, the other floating 250 miles above it—and the breathtaking views they captured:
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...
Thrilled to share that I'm in the October issue of National Geographic, with a story about two photography buddies—one standing on Earth, the other floating 250 miles above it—and the breathtaking views they captured:
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...
October 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Thrilled to share that I'm in the October issue of National Geographic, with a story about two photography buddies—one standing on Earth, the other floating 250 miles above it—and the breathtaking views they captured:
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...
Reposted by Marina Koren
This is one of those weeks where I'm reminded that space reporting is 95% talking about going to space and 5% actually going to space
October 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This is one of those weeks where I'm reminded that space reporting is 95% talking about going to space and 5% actually going to space
For TIME's Best Inventions of 2025 list, I wrote about the Rubin Observatory and other fascinating projects in space, climate, and green energy: time.com/collections/...
Vera C. Rubin Observatory: The Best Inventions of 2025
Find out why Vera C. Rubin Observatory is on TIME's list of 2025's best inventions.
time.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM
For TIME's Best Inventions of 2025 list, I wrote about the Rubin Observatory and other fascinating projects in space, climate, and green energy: time.com/collections/...
Reposted by Marina Koren
Jared Isaacman may not totally be out of the NASA game just yet www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Billionaire Isaacman Met With Trump Over Top NASA Job
Jared Isaacman and President Donald Trump have met in recent weeks and discussed reviving the fintech billionaire’s nomination to lead NASA, according to a person familiar with the matter.
www.bloomberg.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Jared Isaacman may not totally be out of the NASA game just yet www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Marina Koren
This month, skywatchers will have the opportunity to observe not one but two once-in-a-lifetime comets.
Astronomy's Quanzhi Ye shared some tips on how to locate and view comets A6 (Lemmon) and R2 (SWAN) with @marinakoren.bsky.social for @nytimes.com ☄️ 🔭
Astronomy's Quanzhi Ye shared some tips on how to locate and view comets A6 (Lemmon) and R2 (SWAN) with @marinakoren.bsky.social for @nytimes.com ☄️ 🔭
Two Comets Are Moving Into Your Night Skies in October: How to Watch
www.nytimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
This month, skywatchers will have the opportunity to observe not one but two once-in-a-lifetime comets.
Astronomy's Quanzhi Ye shared some tips on how to locate and view comets A6 (Lemmon) and R2 (SWAN) with @marinakoren.bsky.social for @nytimes.com ☄️ 🔭
Astronomy's Quanzhi Ye shared some tips on how to locate and view comets A6 (Lemmon) and R2 (SWAN) with @marinakoren.bsky.social for @nytimes.com ☄️ 🔭
Reposted by Marina Koren
We’ve got 2 good binocular comets this month. R2 SWAN is poised to pass 0.26 AU from the Earth on Oct 19th, while A6 Lemmon will put on its late October dusk encore performance, low to the west. Both could be Halloween sky treats if they hold up to expectations. www.universetoday.com/articles/new...
October 3, 2025 at 3:45 PM
We’ve got 2 good binocular comets this month. R2 SWAN is poised to pass 0.26 AU from the Earth on Oct 19th, while A6 Lemmon will put on its late October dusk encore performance, low to the west. Both could be Halloween sky treats if they hold up to expectations. www.universetoday.com/articles/new...
Reposted by Marina Koren
We were interviewed recently by science writer @marinakoren.bsky.social for the New York Times on the up and coming October comet parade: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/s...
Two Comets Are Moving Into Your Night Skies in October: How to Watch
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
We were interviewed recently by science writer @marinakoren.bsky.social for the New York Times on the up and coming October comet parade: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/s...
Have a little cosmic wonder with your spooky season: My first story for @nytimes.com, about a pair of once-in-a-lifetime cosmic visitors gracing the northern skies this month www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/s...
Two Comets Are Moving Into Your Night Skies in October: How to Watch
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Have a little cosmic wonder with your spooky season: My first story for @nytimes.com, about a pair of once-in-a-lifetime cosmic visitors gracing the northern skies this month www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/s...
🤯
#NASAWebb has found the first direct evidence of potential moon formation around a giant exoplanet. The discovery is shedding light on how such systems evolve and why moons could be potentially habitable worlds: https://bit.ly/46xGodN 🔭 🧪
September 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
🤯
Reposted by Marina Koren
If you liked my media hits in The New York Times, MSNBC and CNN and want to learn more about autism, I wrote a book about #Autism, #Neurodiversity and arguing we should stop trying to cure #ActuallyAutistic people and accept them. It's on sale for $15.19.
www.harpercollins.com/products/wer...
www.harpercollins.com/products/wer...
We're Not Broken
“This book is a message from autistic people to their parents, friends, teachers, coworkers and doctors showing what life is like on the spectrum. It’s also...
www.harpercollins.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
If you liked my media hits in The New York Times, MSNBC and CNN and want to learn more about autism, I wrote a book about #Autism, #Neurodiversity and arguing we should stop trying to cure #ActuallyAutistic people and accept them. It's on sale for $15.19.
www.harpercollins.com/products/wer...
www.harpercollins.com/products/wer...
Reposted by Marina Koren
Meet Artemis II: the first mission to send humans around the moon since 1972. I’ll be covering this mission for National Geographic, so you’ll be seeing a lot from me about it, but here’s the first:
www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
NASA's Artemis II ushers in a new era of human exploration
NASA's Artemis II mission could happen as early as February. Here's why this flight will be one to watch.
www.nationalgeographic.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Meet Artemis II: the first mission to send humans around the moon since 1972. I’ll be covering this mission for National Geographic, so you’ll be seeing a lot from me about it, but here’s the first:
www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Marina Koren
NEW
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
The Story of DOGE, as Told by Federal Workers
WIRED spoke with more than 200 federal workers in dozens of agencies to learn what happened as the Department of Government Efficiency tore through their offices.
www.wired.com
September 25, 2025 at 11:22 AM
NEW
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
Reposted by Marina Koren
Sagittarius B2 is the Milky Way galaxy’s most massive and active star forming cloud, producing half of the stars created in the galactic center region despite having only 10 percent of the area’s star-making material. (1/4) 🧵 🔭 🧪
September 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Sagittarius B2 is the Milky Way galaxy’s most massive and active star forming cloud, producing half of the stars created in the galactic center region despite having only 10 percent of the area’s star-making material. (1/4) 🧵 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Marina Koren
Ever wonder what happened to that $100 million interstellar spaceship program? Me too. www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
A $100-Million Mission to Another Star Just Disappeared
An abandoned plan to visit another star highlights the perils of billionaire-funded science
www.scientificamerican.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Ever wonder what happened to that $100 million interstellar spaceship program? Me too. www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
An absolute banger of a story from @sarahscoles.bsky.social about Breakthrough Starshot and its dreams of interstellar travel, a decade after the big-deal project was announced, including what happened to that dazzling $100 million promise: www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
A $100-Million Mission to Another Star Just Disappeared
An abandoned plan to visit another star highlights the perils of billionaire-funded science
www.scientificamerican.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:51 PM
An absolute banger of a story from @sarahscoles.bsky.social about Breakthrough Starshot and its dreams of interstellar travel, a decade after the big-deal project was announced, including what happened to that dazzling $100 million promise: www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...