Ava Polzin
@avapolzin.bsky.social
professional nerd/astrophysics PhD candidate at UChicago
avapolzin.github.io
avapolzin.github.io
Reposted by Ava Polzin
"A 25-person startup" should not be allowed to "disrupt" fundamental inputs to the Earth's ecosystem, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
Like, what are we even thinking here?
Like, what are we even thinking here?
This is a VERY long piece about solar geoengineering that starts, scientifically speaking, badly, but gets better, but still has a few issues.
The Strange and Totally Real Plan to Blot Out the Sun and Reverse Global Warming
A 25-person startup is developing technology to block the sun and turn down the planet’s thermostat. The stakes are huge — and the company and its critics say regulations need to catch up.
www.politico.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:58 PM
"A 25-person startup" should not be allowed to "disrupt" fundamental inputs to the Earth's ecosystem, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
Like, what are we even thinking here?
Like, what are we even thinking here?
Reposted by Ava Polzin
In case you aren't already aware of one of the nerdiest, nich-est online games: TeXnique, where the goal is to type LaTeX formulae as quickly as possible. texnique.xyz
It is "fun."
It is "fun."
November 21, 2025 at 9:14 PM
In case you aren't already aware of one of the nerdiest, nich-est online games: TeXnique, where the goal is to type LaTeX formulae as quickly as possible. texnique.xyz
It is "fun."
It is "fun."
Dick Durbin’s Rock Island office is taking voicemails if you are, like me, a betrayed constituent: 309.786.5173
(I called hours ago, but understand it’s still taking messages with no problem, and none of his other numbers allow you to leave a voicemail.)
(I called hours ago, but understand it’s still taking messages with no problem, and none of his other numbers allow you to leave a voicemail.)
November 10, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Dick Durbin’s Rock Island office is taking voicemails if you are, like me, a betrayed constituent: 309.786.5173
(I called hours ago, but understand it’s still taking messages with no problem, and none of his other numbers allow you to leave a voicemail.)
(I called hours ago, but understand it’s still taking messages with no problem, and none of his other numbers allow you to leave a voicemail.)
Reposted by Ava Polzin
#nasa is shuttering the Goddard #space #flight center in a move that may not be entirely legal, according to critics. For months, our #staff #writer @joshdinner.bsky.social interviewed NASA #employees, read #senate reports and more to give you the deepest dive yet.
www.space.com/space-explor...
www.space.com/space-explor...
October 31, 2025 at 12:37 PM
#nasa is shuttering the Goddard #space #flight center in a move that may not be entirely legal, according to critics. For months, our #staff #writer @joshdinner.bsky.social interviewed NASA #employees, read #senate reports and more to give you the deepest dive yet.
www.space.com/space-explor...
www.space.com/space-explor...
Reposted by Ava Polzin
Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government
go.nature.com/47hn0n5
go.nature.com/47hn0n5
7 basic science discoveries that changed the world
Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.
go.nature.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government
go.nature.com/47hn0n5
go.nature.com/47hn0n5
Reposted by Ava Polzin
It's becoming increasingly clear to me that Reflect Orbital's fucking stupid giant mirror satellite, with absolutely NOTHING useful to offer, which will cause countless safety issues, ecological disasters, and destroy the night sky, is going to launch.
A bunch of astronomers and I have sent out […]
A bunch of astronomers and I have sent out […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
October 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
It's becoming increasingly clear to me that Reflect Orbital's fucking stupid giant mirror satellite, with absolutely NOTHING useful to offer, which will cause countless safety issues, ecological disasters, and destroy the night sky, is going to launch.
A bunch of astronomers and I have sent out […]
A bunch of astronomers and I have sent out […]
Reposted by Ava Polzin
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Ava Polzin
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
⚠️ Chinese researchers have invented bone glue that mimics how oysters stick to surfaces underwater.
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
China's oyster-inspired 'bone glue' bonds fractures in minutes
A new oyster-inspired Bone-02 adhesive can revolutionize bone repair without metal fasteners.
interestingengineering.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
Reposted by Ava Polzin
A leading Democrat in the Senate just released an important report documenting how NASA has been working to implement the president's proposed budget, not Congressionally approved funds, in slashing missions. Read more ⬇️
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), top Democrat on Senate Commerce Cmte, is out with a Democratic staff report: "The Destruction of NASA's Mission: Whistleblowers Reveal OMB's Unconstitutional Plot to Gut the Agency."
www.commerce.senate.gov/services/fil...
www.commerce.senate.gov/services/fil...
September 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
A leading Democrat in the Senate just released an important report documenting how NASA has been working to implement the president's proposed budget, not Congressionally approved funds, in slashing missions. Read more ⬇️
Big fan of observing in person 🔭
September 19, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Big fan of observing in person 🔭
Reposted by Ava Polzin
I really dislike how science has started calling almost any fancy computational technique AI. 🧪
The framing of this entire article makes it sound like a benevolent AI independently made these drugs.
That is *pure fantasy*.
Instead: a team of scientists made a machine learning model for a study.
The framing of this entire article makes it sound like a benevolent AI independently made these drugs.
That is *pure fantasy*.
Instead: a team of scientists made a machine learning model for a study.
August 15, 2025 at 6:14 AM
I really dislike how science has started calling almost any fancy computational technique AI. 🧪
The framing of this entire article makes it sound like a benevolent AI independently made these drugs.
That is *pure fantasy*.
Instead: a team of scientists made a machine learning model for a study.
The framing of this entire article makes it sound like a benevolent AI independently made these drugs.
That is *pure fantasy*.
Instead: a team of scientists made a machine learning model for a study.
Reposted by Ava Polzin
For the morning crowd, here are all the observations stored in the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes. A visual created by Julie Imig, one of our amazing astronomical data scientists. Follow the link below for more colors and even a movie.
August 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
For the morning crowd, here are all the observations stored in the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes. A visual created by Julie Imig, one of our amazing astronomical data scientists. Follow the link below for more colors and even a movie.
Now formally published!
It really is perfect that this code, named both for the PSF spikes and as a nod to a favorite Buffy character -- hence the logo, should find its home in JOSS...
github.com/avapolzin/sp...
🔭🧪☄️
It really is perfect that this code, named both for the PSF spikes and as a nod to a favorite Buffy character -- hence the logo, should find its home in JOSS...
github.com/avapolzin/sp...
🔭🧪☄️
July 24, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Now formally published!
It really is perfect that this code, named both for the PSF spikes and as a nod to a favorite Buffy character -- hence the logo, should find its home in JOSS...
github.com/avapolzin/sp...
🔭🧪☄️
It really is perfect that this code, named both for the PSF spikes and as a nod to a favorite Buffy character -- hence the logo, should find its home in JOSS...
github.com/avapolzin/sp...
🔭🧪☄️
Reposted by Ava Polzin
Are you from one of these states? Then we need your help to save American science!
The Senate Appropriations Committee will be marking up the President's Budget Request for science on Wednesday. People have been saying the proposed cuts "decimated" US science, but that's wrong: they are apocalyptic
The Senate Appropriations Committee will be marking up the President's Budget Request for science on Wednesday. People have been saying the proposed cuts "decimated" US science, but that's wrong: they are apocalyptic
July 7, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Are you from one of these states? Then we need your help to save American science!
The Senate Appropriations Committee will be marking up the President's Budget Request for science on Wednesday. People have been saying the proposed cuts "decimated" US science, but that's wrong: they are apocalyptic
The Senate Appropriations Committee will be marking up the President's Budget Request for science on Wednesday. People have been saying the proposed cuts "decimated" US science, but that's wrong: they are apocalyptic
Reposted by Ava Polzin
NASA just won an Emmy for our live broadcast of the total solar eclipse last year. We produced a documentary film about the James Webb Space Telescope that's out in theaters and on Netflix. We have podcasts, we write feature stories. People wear the agency logo on t-shirts. We're still getting cut.
You hear this a lot on the left but it isn't true. USAID did not "fail to tell its story to Americans," the right targeted the agency with lies and misinformation.
Ultimately this narrative turns conservative attacks into even more calls for the left to reform.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/o...
Ultimately this narrative turns conservative attacks into even more calls for the left to reform.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/o...
June 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
NASA just won an Emmy for our live broadcast of the total solar eclipse last year. We produced a documentary film about the James Webb Space Telescope that's out in theaters and on Netflix. We have podcasts, we write feature stories. People wear the agency logo on t-shirts. We're still getting cut.
Reposted by Ava Polzin
NASA is being told to cancel 19 *active* missions to save $6B, which looks to be less than the ICE *hiring/retention* budget going forward.
I need people to let that sentence sink into their bones for a minute.
I need people to let that sentence sink into their bones for a minute.
If the GOP reconciliation bill passes, ICE gets through FY2029:
- $45 billion for detention, on top of the current annual budget of $3.4 billion
- $14.4 billion for transportation and removal, on top of the current annual budget of $750 million
- $8 billion for hiring/retention
- Billions more.
- $45 billion for detention, on top of the current annual budget of $3.4 billion
- $14.4 billion for transportation and removal, on top of the current annual budget of $750 million
- $8 billion for hiring/retention
- Billions more.
‼️‼️
June 29, 2025 at 4:17 PM
NASA is being told to cancel 19 *active* missions to save $6B, which looks to be less than the ICE *hiring/retention* budget going forward.
I need people to let that sentence sink into their bones for a minute.
I need people to let that sentence sink into their bones for a minute.
Definitely using the novel Ji (@alexji.bsky.social) mass-based dwarf galaxy classification scheme moving forward 🔭
June 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Definitely using the novel Ji (@alexji.bsky.social) mass-based dwarf galaxy classification scheme moving forward 🔭
Reposted by Ava Polzin
Introducing...your sneak peek at the cosmos captured by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory!
Can you guess these regions of sky?
This is just a small peek...join us at 11am US EDT for your full First Look at how Rubin will #CaptureTheCosmos! 🔭🧪
#RubinFirstLook
ls.st/rubin-first-look-livestream
Can you guess these regions of sky?
This is just a small peek...join us at 11am US EDT for your full First Look at how Rubin will #CaptureTheCosmos! 🔭🧪
#RubinFirstLook
ls.st/rubin-first-look-livestream
June 23, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Introducing...your sneak peek at the cosmos captured by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory!
Can you guess these regions of sky?
This is just a small peek...join us at 11am US EDT for your full First Look at how Rubin will #CaptureTheCosmos! 🔭🧪
#RubinFirstLook
ls.st/rubin-first-look-livestream
Can you guess these regions of sky?
This is just a small peek...join us at 11am US EDT for your full First Look at how Rubin will #CaptureTheCosmos! 🔭🧪
#RubinFirstLook
ls.st/rubin-first-look-livestream
Reposted by Ava Polzin
"You’re punching a generation-size hole, maybe a multigenerational hole, in the scientific and technical workforce. You don’t just Cryovac these people and pull them out when the money comes back. People are going to move on.”
www.scientificamerican.com/article/prop...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/prop...
This Budget Plan Would Devastate U.S. Space Science
Scientists are rallying to reverse ruinous proposed cuts to both NASA and the National Science Foundation
www.scientificamerican.com
June 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
"You’re punching a generation-size hole, maybe a multigenerational hole, in the scientific and technical workforce. You don’t just Cryovac these people and pull them out when the money comes back. People are going to move on.”
www.scientificamerican.com/article/prop...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/prop...
Reposted by Ava Polzin
Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺
June 3, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺
Reposted by Ava Polzin
Bear Lodge 🌌🐻
If you can’t secure the giant bear of legend for your cliff-scarring needs, Ursa Major will do in a pinch.
🏷️: 📸🌿🐡🔭
If you can’t secure the giant bear of legend for your cliff-scarring needs, Ursa Major will do in a pinch.
🏷️: 📸🌿🐡🔭
May 29, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Bear Lodge 🌌🐻
If you can’t secure the giant bear of legend for your cliff-scarring needs, Ursa Major will do in a pinch.
🏷️: 📸🌿🐡🔭
If you can’t secure the giant bear of legend for your cliff-scarring needs, Ursa Major will do in a pinch.
🏷️: 📸🌿🐡🔭
Reposted by Ava Polzin
Bonus: here's an animation I generated showing how the sausage was made. Each frame is one commit from the paper repo.
May 20, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Bonus: here's an animation I generated showing how the sausage was made. Each frame is one commit from the paper repo.
Looks like Fefe has been reading the news…
May 13, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Looks like Fefe has been reading the news…
Reposted by Ava Polzin
Hey I’m hiring a 4-year PhD student in #astronomy at UCC to work on studying massive black holes in cosmological simulations! Fast turn around on this bc it is so late (due 6 June) but please pass on to any interested and qualified students! Feel free to dm/email me! 🔭🧪
www.ucc.ie/en/astro/job...
www.ucc.ie/en/astro/job...
Job Opportunities | University College Cork
Learn, Study and Research in UCC, Ireland's first 5 star university. Our tradition of independent thinking will prepare you for the world and the workplace in a vibrant, modern, green campus.
www.ucc.ie
May 8, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Hey I’m hiring a 4-year PhD student in #astronomy at UCC to work on studying massive black holes in cosmological simulations! Fast turn around on this bc it is so late (due 6 June) but please pass on to any interested and qualified students! Feel free to dm/email me! 🔭🧪
www.ucc.ie/en/astro/job...
www.ucc.ie/en/astro/job...
Reposted by Ava Polzin
NOAA's new GOES-19 satellite continuously monitors solar activity, to protect satellites, communications & electrical systems. (It also catches the Earth & Moon photobombing its view of the Sun.)
One small example of what NOAA funding does... 🧪🔭
www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/noaas-l...
One small example of what NOAA funding does... 🧪🔭
www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/noaas-l...
March 29, 2025 at 4:05 AM
NOAA's new GOES-19 satellite continuously monitors solar activity, to protect satellites, communications & electrical systems. (It also catches the Earth & Moon photobombing its view of the Sun.)
One small example of what NOAA funding does... 🧪🔭
www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/noaas-l...
One small example of what NOAA funding does... 🧪🔭
www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/noaas-l...