Bastian Blankenburg
@databu.bsky.social
Co-founder and CTO at utu.io, founder of and blogger at https://night.ke
Interested in tech and astronomy.
Trekkie. Husband and father. Christian. Based near Nairobi.
Interested in tech and astronomy.
Trekkie. Husband and father. Christian. Based near Nairobi.
Pinned
Got around to processing a shot from earlier this year: Antares and surrounding nebulosity, with globular clusters M4 and NGC 6144.
#astrophotography
#astrophotography
December 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
Here's what I've been looking at the past week:
* NGC 2403, a weird galaxy that produces too many supernovae
* Thor's Helmet, looks cool
* NGC 660, another weird galaxy whose core is on a different axis than its arms
* The Snow Angel - you can only see the wings
#science #astronomy 🔭👩🏾🔬
* NGC 2403, a weird galaxy that produces too many supernovae
* Thor's Helmet, looks cool
* NGC 660, another weird galaxy whose core is on a different axis than its arms
* The Snow Angel - you can only see the wings
#science #astronomy 🔭👩🏾🔬
November 29, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Here's what I've been looking at the past week:
* NGC 2403, a weird galaxy that produces too many supernovae
* Thor's Helmet, looks cool
* NGC 660, another weird galaxy whose core is on a different axis than its arms
* The Snow Angel - you can only see the wings
#science #astronomy 🔭👩🏾🔬
* NGC 2403, a weird galaxy that produces too many supernovae
* Thor's Helmet, looks cool
* NGC 660, another weird galaxy whose core is on a different axis than its arms
* The Snow Angel - you can only see the wings
#science #astronomy 🔭👩🏾🔬
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
At about 49 million light years from Earth, NGC 7331 and friends are wishing you all a great Thanksgiving. This was an 18 hour LRGB capture taken from my yard, under Bortle 5 skies in central MA using an 8” SCT at 1422mm focal length. Happy Thanksgiving! 🔭 #Astrophotography
November 27, 2025 at 2:18 AM
At about 49 million light years from Earth, NGC 7331 and friends are wishing you all a great Thanksgiving. This was an 18 hour LRGB capture taken from my yard, under Bortle 5 skies in central MA using an 8” SCT at 1422mm focal length. Happy Thanksgiving! 🔭 #Astrophotography
Got around to processing a shot from earlier this year: Antares and surrounding nebulosity, with globular clusters M4 and NGC 6144.
#astrophotography
#astrophotography
November 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Got around to processing a shot from earlier this year: Antares and surrounding nebulosity, with globular clusters M4 and NGC 6144.
#astrophotography
#astrophotography
40 Eridani, the system of Mr. Spock’s home planet Vulcan 🖖
A triple system of a star slightly smaller than the Sun, a white and a red dwarf.
80 x 0.019s sub-exposures with the AstroShader app on 10“ Dob at 100x. AS couldn’t align, so raws processed using Siril, GraXpert and Gimp.
#astrophotography
A triple system of a star slightly smaller than the Sun, a white and a red dwarf.
80 x 0.019s sub-exposures with the AstroShader app on 10“ Dob at 100x. AS couldn’t align, so raws processed using Siril, GraXpert and Gimp.
#astrophotography
November 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
40 Eridani, the system of Mr. Spock’s home planet Vulcan 🖖
A triple system of a star slightly smaller than the Sun, a white and a red dwarf.
80 x 0.019s sub-exposures with the AstroShader app on 10“ Dob at 100x. AS couldn’t align, so raws processed using Siril, GraXpert and Gimp.
#astrophotography
A triple system of a star slightly smaller than the Sun, a white and a red dwarf.
80 x 0.019s sub-exposures with the AstroShader app on 10“ Dob at 100x. AS couldn’t align, so raws processed using Siril, GraXpert and Gimp.
#astrophotography
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
Es wirkt seltsam, heute an die Novemberpogrome von 1938 zu erinnern. In einer Zeit, in denen der Antisemitismus allgegenwärtig ist und global eskaliert. In denen jedes „Nie wieder“ fast zynisch wirkt. Aber es bleibt dabei: Es ist geschehen und es kann wieder geschehen. Und wir müssen uns erinnern.
November 9, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Es wirkt seltsam, heute an die Novemberpogrome von 1938 zu erinnern. In einer Zeit, in denen der Antisemitismus allgegenwärtig ist und global eskaliert. In denen jedes „Nie wieder“ fast zynisch wirkt. Aber es bleibt dabei: Es ist geschehen und es kann wieder geschehen. Und wir müssen uns erinnern.
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
A personal reflection on the destructive erosion of ethics, norms and respect for law at NASA:
🧪🔭
🧵
🧪🔭
🧵
October 31, 2025 at 2:16 PM
A personal reflection on the destructive erosion of ethics, norms and respect for law at NASA:
🧪🔭
🧵
🧪🔭
🧵
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
This is from the national press in Kenya. Don't underestimate how problematic this issue has become out there.
When the west forgets its morality — The shame of British soldiers in Kenya
www.ippmedia.com/the-guardian...
When the west forgets its morality — The shame of British soldiers in Kenya
www.ippmedia.com/the-guardian...
When the west forgets its morality — The shame of British soldiers in Kenya | The Guardian
www.ippmedia.com
October 25, 2025 at 6:53 PM
This is from the national press in Kenya. Don't underestimate how problematic this issue has become out there.
When the west forgets its morality — The shame of British soldiers in Kenya
www.ippmedia.com/the-guardian...
When the west forgets its morality — The shame of British soldiers in Kenya
www.ippmedia.com/the-guardian...
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
RIP Barbara Gips (1936-2025)
"The Alien slogan has been named to countless lists of the best movie taglines ever written. New York Times critic Janet Maslin opened her review of Alien writing, “The thing that most made me want to see Alien was that irresistible line they’ve been using in the ads.”
"The Alien slogan has been named to countless lists of the best movie taglines ever written. New York Times critic Janet Maslin opened her review of Alien writing, “The thing that most made me want to see Alien was that irresistible line they’ve been using in the ads.”
October 22, 2025 at 2:53 PM
RIP Barbara Gips (1936-2025)
"The Alien slogan has been named to countless lists of the best movie taglines ever written. New York Times critic Janet Maslin opened her review of Alien writing, “The thing that most made me want to see Alien was that irresistible line they’ve been using in the ads.”
"The Alien slogan has been named to countless lists of the best movie taglines ever written. New York Times critic Janet Maslin opened her review of Alien writing, “The thing that most made me want to see Alien was that irresistible line they’ve been using in the ads.”
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
This is how president Ruto is doing to his harmless citizens yesterday... 😭
October 16, 2025 at 10:32 PM
This is how president Ruto is doing to his harmless citizens yesterday... 😭
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
Guten Tag, ich bin das Problem im Stadtbild.
October 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Guten Tag, ich bin das Problem im Stadtbild.
I have this compilation and it’s awesome.
♪ #nowplaying Mama matotoya - The Mombasa Vikings (Kenya special /Selected East African recordings from the 1970s & '80s - 1972) https://www.radiofrance.fr/fip
October 13, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I have this compilation and it’s awesome.
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
🧵
What is coming down from the left is the Moon, appearing so large because photographed through a telescopic lens.
The video, made during the 2018 full Milk Moon,
isn't time-lapse: this was really how fast the Moon was setting behind Mount Teide.
➡️ apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap20032...
🔭 🧪 #science
1/
What is coming down from the left is the Moon, appearing so large because photographed through a telescopic lens.
The video, made during the 2018 full Milk Moon,
isn't time-lapse: this was really how fast the Moon was setting behind Mount Teide.
➡️ apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap20032...
🔭 🧪 #science
1/
October 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
🧵
What is coming down from the left is the Moon, appearing so large because photographed through a telescopic lens.
The video, made during the 2018 full Milk Moon,
isn't time-lapse: this was really how fast the Moon was setting behind Mount Teide.
➡️ apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap20032...
🔭 🧪 #science
1/
What is coming down from the left is the Moon, appearing so large because photographed through a telescopic lens.
The video, made during the 2018 full Milk Moon,
isn't time-lapse: this was really how fast the Moon was setting behind Mount Teide.
➡️ apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap20032...
🔭 🧪 #science
1/
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
This.
One of the weirdest claims about tech, is that if people only studied humanities, they would be more inclusive and kind.
No.
That's not the important dimension. Studying art or philosophy or history does not magically make you an ethical person.
Hitler was a painter. Wagner was a composer.
One of the weirdest claims about tech, is that if people only studied humanities, they would be more inclusive and kind.
No.
That's not the important dimension. Studying art or philosophy or history does not magically make you an ethical person.
Hitler was a painter. Wagner was a composer.
Anyone who claims that Silicon Valley would be better with more humanities education has to grapple with the fact that Peter Thiel was a philosophy major.
October 12, 2025 at 4:42 PM
This.
One of the weirdest claims about tech, is that if people only studied humanities, they would be more inclusive and kind.
No.
That's not the important dimension. Studying art or philosophy or history does not magically make you an ethical person.
Hitler was a painter. Wagner was a composer.
One of the weirdest claims about tech, is that if people only studied humanities, they would be more inclusive and kind.
No.
That's not the important dimension. Studying art or philosophy or history does not magically make you an ethical person.
Hitler was a painter. Wagner was a composer.
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
I see the apocalypse is well underway. Odd place to start...
October 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I see the apocalypse is well underway. Odd place to start...
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
I don’t need therapy, I just need everyone to stop being wrong.
October 12, 2025 at 11:04 AM
I don’t need therapy, I just need everyone to stop being wrong.
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
Neueste Enthüllung im Frankreich 🇮🇱🇫🇷:
Das Französische Konsulat in Jerusalem kooperiert mit Hamas und Palästinensischen Terrornetzwerken.
In Frankreich ist ein großer Skandal aufgedeckt worden. Vertrauliche Dokumente und E-Mails belegen, dass das französische Konsulat in Ostjerusalem und
1/x
Das Französische Konsulat in Jerusalem kooperiert mit Hamas und Palästinensischen Terrornetzwerken.
In Frankreich ist ein großer Skandal aufgedeckt worden. Vertrauliche Dokumente und E-Mails belegen, dass das französische Konsulat in Ostjerusalem und
1/x
October 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Neueste Enthüllung im Frankreich 🇮🇱🇫🇷:
Das Französische Konsulat in Jerusalem kooperiert mit Hamas und Palästinensischen Terrornetzwerken.
In Frankreich ist ein großer Skandal aufgedeckt worden. Vertrauliche Dokumente und E-Mails belegen, dass das französische Konsulat in Ostjerusalem und
1/x
Das Französische Konsulat in Jerusalem kooperiert mit Hamas und Palästinensischen Terrornetzwerken.
In Frankreich ist ein großer Skandal aufgedeckt worden. Vertrauliche Dokumente und E-Mails belegen, dass das französische Konsulat in Ostjerusalem und
1/x
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
Kenya🇰🇪 has converted its $5 billion railway loan into yuan, saving about $250 million annually. The move diversifies its debt portfolio, reduces U.S. dollar reliance, and highlights China’s growing currency influence as Kenya pursues innovative strategies to strengthen fiscal stability.
October 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Kenya🇰🇪 has converted its $5 billion railway loan into yuan, saving about $250 million annually. The move diversifies its debt portfolio, reduces U.S. dollar reliance, and highlights China’s growing currency influence as Kenya pursues innovative strategies to strengthen fiscal stability.
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
No. They are not all being ignored. You are not being ignored if you vote for someone that promises to do the exact opposite of what you claim to want.
And they do not want the same things. Trump's most popular policy with GOP voters *by far* are his "immigration policies."
His voters want this.
And they do not want the same things. Trump's most popular policy with GOP voters *by far* are his "immigration policies."
His voters want this.
Most Americans, across parties, want the same things: affordable healthcare, protection of their Medicare/SS, a livable wage to put food on the table and reasonable gun reform. And they are all being ignored. Our current government is only addressing the wishes of the few and screwing the many.
October 7, 2025 at 3:05 AM
No. They are not all being ignored. You are not being ignored if you vote for someone that promises to do the exact opposite of what you claim to want.
And they do not want the same things. Trump's most popular policy with GOP voters *by far* are his "immigration policies."
His voters want this.
And they do not want the same things. Trump's most popular policy with GOP voters *by far* are his "immigration policies."
His voters want this.
Google-translated:
> 🔭 A bizarre spiral in a new image from the James Webb Space Telescope
> At the center of the frame is a triple star system: a supergiant and a pair of Wolf-Rayet stars (in the image, they visually merge into one).
😱
> 🔭 A bizarre spiral in a new image from the James Webb Space Telescope
> At the center of the frame is a triple star system: a supergiant and a pair of Wolf-Rayet stars (in the image, they visually merge into one).
😱
🔭 Причудливая спираль на новом снимке "Джеймса Уэбба"
В центре кадра находится тройная система звезд: сверхгигант и пара звезд Вольфа-Райе (на снимке они визуально сливаются в одну).
В центре кадра находится тройная система звезд: сверхгигант и пара звезд Вольфа-Райе (на снимке они визуально сливаются в одну).
October 3, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Google-translated:
> 🔭 A bizarre spiral in a new image from the James Webb Space Telescope
> At the center of the frame is a triple star system: a supergiant and a pair of Wolf-Rayet stars (in the image, they visually merge into one).
😱
> 🔭 A bizarre spiral in a new image from the James Webb Space Telescope
> At the center of the frame is a triple star system: a supergiant and a pair of Wolf-Rayet stars (in the image, they visually merge into one).
😱
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
I think Perseverance may have spotted interstellar comet 3I/Atlas last night from Mars!
After stacking 20 images from Mastcam-Z, I found a faint smudge of light in the constellation Corona Borealis close to the location where the comet was expected. 🔭
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Simeon Schmauß
After stacking 20 images from Mastcam-Z, I found a faint smudge of light in the constellation Corona Borealis close to the location where the comet was expected. 🔭
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Simeon Schmauß
October 2, 2025 at 11:50 PM
I think Perseverance may have spotted interstellar comet 3I/Atlas last night from Mars!
After stacking 20 images from Mastcam-Z, I found a faint smudge of light in the constellation Corona Borealis close to the location where the comet was expected. 🔭
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Simeon Schmauß
After stacking 20 images from Mastcam-Z, I found a faint smudge of light in the constellation Corona Borealis close to the location where the comet was expected. 🔭
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Simeon Schmauß
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
Today marks the 7th anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
“It’s easier to talk here than it is in America.”
— Dave Chappelle, doing his shtick in front of a whooping, cheering crowd in … Riyadh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...
— Dave Chappelle, doing his shtick in front of a whooping, cheering crowd in … Riyadh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...
At Saudi Comedy Fest, American Free Speech Becomes the Punchline
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Today marks the 7th anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
Reposted by Bastian Blankenburg
Gestern auf der ArabCon in Dearborn, Michigan, US. Das Lachen möge ihnen im Halse stecken bleiben und sie für den Rest ihres erbärmlichen Lebens begleiten. 🤬😡
September 29, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Gestern auf der ArabCon in Dearborn, Michigan, US. Das Lachen möge ihnen im Halse stecken bleiben und sie für den Rest ihres erbärmlichen Lebens begleiten. 🤬😡
First light with my new (but used) 10” Dob yesterday, in full daylight. Taken with phone and the Astroshader app on Sky Rover 30mm UFF.
#🌒 #astrophotography #astronomy
#🌒 #astrophotography #astronomy
September 29, 2025 at 5:45 PM
First light with my new (but used) 10” Dob yesterday, in full daylight. Taken with phone and the Astroshader app on Sky Rover 30mm UFF.
#🌒 #astrophotography #astronomy
#🌒 #astrophotography #astronomy