Meredith Rawls
@merrdiff.bsky.social
Astronomer at UW, data pipeline wrangler for Rubin Observatory, satellite mitigation leader via IAU CPS SatHub, mom, violist, Ballardite (Seattle), family cargo e-bike evangelist, Episcopalian, etc. Opinions all mine
Pinned
Meredith Rawls
@merrdiff.bsky.social
· Aug 7
Sometimes instead of going to bed at a reasonable hour you take pictures with your astronomer mom in matching @startorialist.com shirts featuring the @vrubinobs.bsky.social Lagoon Nebula "first look" image she helped make happen 🔭
Louder for the people in the back
Who are sitting in their car
Likely exceeding the speed limit
Or maybe sending a text real quick
To complain about, say, traffic
(which they ARE)
Or maybe the proliferation of e-scooters—
one of the only transport modes that regularly uses speed limiters
For safety
Who are sitting in their car
Likely exceeding the speed limit
Or maybe sending a text real quick
To complain about, say, traffic
(which they ARE)
Or maybe the proliferation of e-scooters—
one of the only transport modes that regularly uses speed limiters
For safety
Safety is important for scooter users but the biggest hazard is drivers. Any public safety messaging about road safety should lead with this fact, and public safety dollars should go toward automatic speed enforcement.
Money from fines used to build separated bike lanes.
Money from fines used to build separated bike lanes.
E-Scooters are not toys, and there are rules and regulations regarding their use in North Vancouver. All parents and riders should refer to this helpful infographic from North Vancouver RCMP and help keep our kids and streets safe.
November 25, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Louder for the people in the back
Who are sitting in their car
Likely exceeding the speed limit
Or maybe sending a text real quick
To complain about, say, traffic
(which they ARE)
Or maybe the proliferation of e-scooters—
one of the only transport modes that regularly uses speed limiters
For safety
Who are sitting in their car
Likely exceeding the speed limit
Or maybe sending a text real quick
To complain about, say, traffic
(which they ARE)
Or maybe the proliferation of e-scooters—
one of the only transport modes that regularly uses speed limiters
For safety
Two passenger-transporting devices that each used a parking space and left their motor on while dropping off their preschooler today 🤢
November 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Two passenger-transporting devices that each used a parking space and left their motor on while dropping off their preschooler today 🤢
Great recap and new resource!!
Ridiculous IMO, however, that directors pointed out "if a [web]site was blocked by SPS it was probably blocked for a reason." Who vets this?! We use @kagi.com to avoid Google AI slop and it is blocked by SPS (or, at least, was blocked on my kid's SPS iPad last spring)
Ridiculous IMO, however, that directors pointed out "if a [web]site was blocked by SPS it was probably blocked for a reason." Who vets this?! We use @kagi.com to avoid Google AI slop and it is blocked by SPS (or, at least, was blocked on my kid's SPS iPad last spring)
First of many SPS School Board recaps to come! Publilshed on @thebulletinsea.org, a new source for SPS news. thebulletinsea.org/issue-5-nove...
Issue 5 -- November 19, 2025 Board Meeting Recap
In this issue: Beth Day and Julie Letchner recap the November 19 school board meeting, the last with the current board lineup.
thebulletinsea.org
November 23, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Great recap and new resource!!
Ridiculous IMO, however, that directors pointed out "if a [web]site was blocked by SPS it was probably blocked for a reason." Who vets this?! We use @kagi.com to avoid Google AI slop and it is blocked by SPS (or, at least, was blocked on my kid's SPS iPad last spring)
Ridiculous IMO, however, that directors pointed out "if a [web]site was blocked by SPS it was probably blocked for a reason." Who vets this?! We use @kagi.com to avoid Google AI slop and it is blocked by SPS (or, at least, was blocked on my kid's SPS iPad last spring)
Don't worry though, we're going to ban them in high schools, the real place policing phone use makes sense 🙄
We’ve 100% lost the war on using phones while driving and it’s the worst.
November 21, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Don't worry though, we're going to ban them in high schools, the real place policing phone use makes sense 🙄
Reposted by Meredith Rawls
Just want to emphasize here that this is an image of an INTERSTELLAR COMET taken by a camera orbiting MARS. Space is so cool!
NASA's pix of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS are now up science.nasa.gov/solar-system...
This is the HiRISE/MRO image ⬇️
This is the HiRISE/MRO image ⬇️
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Just want to emphasize here that this is an image of an INTERSTELLAR COMET taken by a camera orbiting MARS. Space is so cool!
Reposted by Meredith Rawls
I’ve been a FreeTaxUSA proselytizer for years and years and I strongly encourage everyone to make the switch. same kind of step by step “for dummies” interface, even for my complicated freelancer taxes, and you don’t have to give your money to one of our most evil lobbyists
TurboTax is about to be integrated into ChatGPT, where customers will be guided through tasks tied to their tax filings or financial profile by the AI chatbot.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
November 19, 2025 at 3:41 AM
I’ve been a FreeTaxUSA proselytizer for years and years and I strongly encourage everyone to make the switch. same kind of step by step “for dummies” interface, even for my complicated freelancer taxes, and you don’t have to give your money to one of our most evil lobbyists
"the university’s Amazon professor of machine learning [...] will lead the [new AI] initiative as the vice provost for artificial intelligence"
is a real phrase I just read 😵💫
is a real phrase I just read 😵💫
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 AM
"the university’s Amazon professor of machine learning [...] will lead the [new AI] initiative as the vice provost for artificial intelligence"
is a real phrase I just read 😵💫
is a real phrase I just read 😵💫
Reposted by Meredith Rawls
Something’s a little sus… 👀
Flares, flashes, and fakes — not every change in the night sky is what it seems 💥✨
Test your skills with Rubin Difference Detectives on Zooniverse! Help Rubin scientists spot cosmic events (and catch the imposters). 🌌🔍
👉 zooniverse.org/rubin
Flares, flashes, and fakes — not every change in the night sky is what it seems 💥✨
Test your skills with Rubin Difference Detectives on Zooniverse! Help Rubin scientists spot cosmic events (and catch the imposters). 🌌🔍
👉 zooniverse.org/rubin
November 17, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Something’s a little sus… 👀
Flares, flashes, and fakes — not every change in the night sky is what it seems 💥✨
Test your skills with Rubin Difference Detectives on Zooniverse! Help Rubin scientists spot cosmic events (and catch the imposters). 🌌🔍
👉 zooniverse.org/rubin
Flares, flashes, and fakes — not every change in the night sky is what it seems 💥✨
Test your skills with Rubin Difference Detectives on Zooniverse! Help Rubin scientists spot cosmic events (and catch the imposters). 🌌🔍
👉 zooniverse.org/rubin
My mayor-elect rides the bus and knows how expensive childcare is 🤩
After much deliberation and a grueling interview process, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve accepted a new job and will not need any financial support from my parents to cover the high costs of childcare going forward. #AmericanDream #ThisIsYourCity
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
My mayor-elect rides the bus and knows how expensive childcare is 🤩
I love that I can buy a Sound Transit pillow, but what I really need is a King County Metro bus toy. Purple, red, green, and blue variants, of course.
I can by 80,000 kinds of toy car for my kids, and a decent number of trains, but all I want are buses and bikes soundtransitshop.com/products/lin...
I can by 80,000 kinds of toy car for my kids, and a decent number of trains, but all I want are buses and bikes soundtransitshop.com/products/lin...
Link Pillow
Your dream transit is here. • 100% polyester • 10″ × 10″ • Spot wash with warm water.
soundtransitshop.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I love that I can buy a Sound Transit pillow, but what I really need is a King County Metro bus toy. Purple, red, green, and blue variants, of course.
I can by 80,000 kinds of toy car for my kids, and a decent number of trains, but all I want are buses and bikes soundtransitshop.com/products/lin...
I can by 80,000 kinds of toy car for my kids, and a decent number of trains, but all I want are buses and bikes soundtransitshop.com/products/lin...
All cars should be required to have speed limiters that don't allow you to exceed the posted speed limit, just like the e-scooters you won't stop complaining about
When you bring your car in to get yours installed, you can choose either $0 tab renewals for the life of the vehicle or a free ebike
When you bring your car in to get yours installed, you can choose either $0 tab renewals for the life of the vehicle or a free ebike
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
All cars should be required to have speed limiters that don't allow you to exceed the posted speed limit, just like the e-scooters you won't stop complaining about
When you bring your car in to get yours installed, you can choose either $0 tab renewals for the life of the vehicle or a free ebike
When you bring your car in to get yours installed, you can choose either $0 tab renewals for the life of the vehicle or a free ebike
Last summer I was lucky enough to witness the aurora dance above a perfectly dark northern horizon (bortle class 2) on Vancouver Island.
So few people know what they're missing by existing in a perpetually-lit world.
Not to mention, many aurora pics from dark sites still have satellite streaks. 🔭
So few people know what they're missing by existing in a perpetually-lit world.
Not to mention, many aurora pics from dark sites still have satellite streaks. 🔭
Lots of folks captioning aurora photos like "for a few minutes we didn't think about politics"
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
November 13, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Last summer I was lucky enough to witness the aurora dance above a perfectly dark northern horizon (bortle class 2) on Vancouver Island.
So few people know what they're missing by existing in a perpetually-lit world.
Not to mention, many aurora pics from dark sites still have satellite streaks. 🔭
So few people know what they're missing by existing in a perpetually-lit world.
Not to mention, many aurora pics from dark sites still have satellite streaks. 🔭
Reposted by Meredith Rawls
Aurora color guide! What creates the different shades?
Different atoms getting "excited" at different altitudes
The bright reds are a sign of a particularly intense event
Different atoms getting "excited" at different altitudes
The bright reds are a sign of a particularly intense event
November 12, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Aurora color guide! What creates the different shades?
Different atoms getting "excited" at different altitudes
The bright reds are a sign of a particularly intense event
Different atoms getting "excited" at different altitudes
The bright reds are a sign of a particularly intense event
Reposted by Meredith Rawls
I had good luck at Magnuson park!
November 12, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I had good luck at Magnuson park!
Seattle Aurora 🙄 ... squint for colors that are only visible to cameras and increasingly hidden by clouds! (but it's real, you are not making it up!)
November 12, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Seattle Aurora 🙄 ... squint for colors that are only visible to cameras and increasingly hidden by clouds! (but it's real, you are not making it up!)
Reposted by Meredith Rawls
Near the Utah/Wyoming border now
November 12, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Near the Utah/Wyoming border now
Reposted by Meredith Rawls
Seeing the Northern Lights! (taken with an iPhone in the Southern Suburbs of St Paul)
November 12, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Seeing the Northern Lights! (taken with an iPhone in the Southern Suburbs of St Paul)
If you are blessed with halfway clear skies and a latitude north of, like, 40, go look for Aurorae!!
November 12, 2025 at 1:40 AM
If you are blessed with halfway clear skies and a latitude north of, like, 40, go look for Aurorae!!
Hey look it's a @vrubinobs.bsky.social difference imaging zooniverse game! Help us classify real vs bogus detections with REAL RUBIN DATA! www.zooniverse.org/projects/ebe...
November 11, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Hey look it's a @vrubinobs.bsky.social difference imaging zooniverse game! Help us classify real vs bogus detections with REAL RUBIN DATA! www.zooniverse.org/projects/ebe...
Reposted by Meredith Rawls
You have to send this link to everyone you know who voted I Seattle: info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/... It takes like 30 seconds to make sure your vote was counted. Folks on here have all seen this probably, but your friends and family might not have!
King County Elections
Led by Director Julie Wise, King County Elections conducts accurate, secure, and accessible elections for King County's over 1.4 million registered voters.
info.kingcounty.gov
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
You have to send this link to everyone you know who voted I Seattle: info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/... It takes like 30 seconds to make sure your vote was counted. Folks on here have all seen this probably, but your friends and family might not have!
If you voted in Seattle
Are you sure it was counted???
Now would be the time to check on that
Are you sure it was counted???
Now would be the time to check on that
Incredible. Progressive challenger Katie Wilson now has a 91-vote lead in Seattle’s race for mayor. She had been steadily gaining on incumbent Bruce Harrell.
There are about 8,000 ballots left to count.
There are about 8,000 ballots left to count.
November 11, 2025 at 12:13 AM
If you voted in Seattle
Are you sure it was counted???
Now would be the time to check on that
Are you sure it was counted???
Now would be the time to check on that
Seattle area space nerds! Join me at UW's Space Diplomacy Symposium and help me feel a little less like the only scientist in the room (which was last year's vibe). It's Fri Nov 7 and costs $45 ($20 for students), which I think includes lunch and def includes coffee. www.law.uw.edu/academics/pr...
Space Diplomacy Symposium 2025 | UW School of Law
The University of Washington School of Law is a top-ranked public law school.
www.law.uw.edu
October 31, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Seattle area space nerds! Join me at UW's Space Diplomacy Symposium and help me feel a little less like the only scientist in the room (which was last year's vibe). It's Fri Nov 7 and costs $45 ($20 for students), which I think includes lunch and def includes coffee. www.law.uw.edu/academics/pr...
Just stumbled across an astophotographer's timelapse reel of Comet Lemmon, and it clearly shows what we've done to the sky in the last 5 years
A screenshot does not do it justice; the reel is on both fb and insta www.instagram.com/reel/DQcijH0...
Credit: Lars Leber Photography, larsleber.com/info
A screenshot does not do it justice; the reel is on both fb and insta www.instagram.com/reel/DQcijH0...
Credit: Lars Leber Photography, larsleber.com/info
October 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Just stumbled across an astophotographer's timelapse reel of Comet Lemmon, and it clearly shows what we've done to the sky in the last 5 years
A screenshot does not do it justice; the reel is on both fb and insta www.instagram.com/reel/DQcijH0...
Credit: Lars Leber Photography, larsleber.com/info
A screenshot does not do it justice; the reel is on both fb and insta www.instagram.com/reel/DQcijH0...
Credit: Lars Leber Photography, larsleber.com/info
An appropriately terrifying story for Halloween — and why "we need to hire a crossing guard!" cannot fix school traffic safety. Fewer drivers and slower drivers could, but we're pretty awful at that!
Hundreds of school crossing guards have suffered injuries on the job after being hit by a vehicle, and dozens of them have died, according to an investigation by AP and Cox Media Group Television Stations.
Crossing guards face life-threatening dangers on the job
An investigation by The Associated Press and Cox Media Group Television Stations found that school crossing guards face dangerous conditions, with many injured or killed on the job.
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 2:57 PM
An appropriately terrifying story for Halloween — and why "we need to hire a crossing guard!" cannot fix school traffic safety. Fewer drivers and slower drivers could, but we're pretty awful at that!
Driving tomorrow?
SLOW DOWN
Kids and pedestrians deserve to live
SLOW DOWN
Kids and pedestrians deserve to live
Your annual reminder that US streets and vehicles are generally not designed to keep pedestrians, especially small ones, safe.
So wonderful Halloween is the most likely day you’ll kill a child with your car, and someone will kill a child you care about with theirs.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
So wonderful Halloween is the most likely day you’ll kill a child with your car, and someone will kill a child you care about with theirs.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
October 31, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Driving tomorrow?
SLOW DOWN
Kids and pedestrians deserve to live
SLOW DOWN
Kids and pedestrians deserve to live