Galaxy Map
@galaxymap.bsky.social
The first accurate and detailed maps of the Milky Way and ways to promote and visualize them (including VR).
Website: https://kevinjardine.dev
Tip jar: https://tiptopjar.com/kevinjardine
Also follow me on @[email protected]
Website: https://kevinjardine.dev
Tip jar: https://tiptopjar.com/kevinjardine
Also follow me on @[email protected]
Here is a very preliminary reworking of my 1 kpc map using the new Quintana association names. I only used the associations where they seem to be connected with hot star concentrations. They provide names for almost all of the concentrations except for the smaller one around Messier 6.
December 12, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Here is a very preliminary reworking of my 1 kpc map using the new Quintana association names. I only used the associations where they seem to be connected with hot star concentrations. They provide names for almost all of the concentrations except for the smaller one around Messier 6.
Following up on the new Quintana paper on OB associations. There are many hot star concentrations in Gaia DR3 that do not have names, and the Quintana paper seems to help with that! Here is my 1 kpc poster overlaid by the new Quintana map.
I do notice that the Quintana map is missing Mon OB1.
I do notice that the Quintana map is missing Mon OB1.
December 12, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Following up on the new Quintana paper on OB associations. There are many hot star concentrations in Gaia DR3 that do not have names, and the Quintana paper seems to help with that! Here is my 1 kpc poster overlaid by the new Quintana map.
I do notice that the Quintana map is missing Mon OB1.
I do notice that the Quintana map is missing Mon OB1.
Very interesting to see this. Cartography is not just about science but about shared usage. Looking forward to seeing if any of the "new" OB associations in this paper get used by other researchers.
A new census of OB associations with Gaia!
In this study, we took advantage of my OB stars map to find new OB associations within 1 kpc. The goal was to create a useful reference catalogue for this era, and to trace the star formation and structure of the local Milky Way.
#stellarastro #galactic
In this study, we took advantage of my OB stars map to find new OB associations within 1 kpc. The goal was to create a useful reference catalogue for this era, and to trace the star formation and structure of the local Milky Way.
#stellarastro #galactic
December 11, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Very interesting to see this. Cartography is not just about science but about shared usage. Looking forward to seeing if any of the "new" OB associations in this paper get used by other researchers.
Reposted by Galaxy Map
A new census of OB associations with Gaia!
In this study, we took advantage of my OB stars map to find new OB associations within 1 kpc. The goal was to create a useful reference catalogue for this era, and to trace the star formation and structure of the local Milky Way.
#stellarastro #galactic
In this study, we took advantage of my OB stars map to find new OB associations within 1 kpc. The goal was to create a useful reference catalogue for this era, and to trace the star formation and structure of the local Milky Way.
#stellarastro #galactic
December 8, 2025 at 8:06 AM
A new census of OB associations with Gaia!
In this study, we took advantage of my OB stars map to find new OB associations within 1 kpc. The goal was to create a useful reference catalogue for this era, and to trace the star formation and structure of the local Milky Way.
#stellarastro #galactic
In this study, we took advantage of my OB stars map to find new OB associations within 1 kpc. The goal was to create a useful reference catalogue for this era, and to trace the star formation and structure of the local Milky Way.
#stellarastro #galactic
Love this cluster. I've always called it the Eye of Horus but not an official name.
Found 8000 light-years away, the cluster NGC 3293 is less than 10 million years old.
Star clusters like NGC 3293 contain stars that all formed at the same time and out of the same cloud of gas and dust. Hence, they are ideal for testing stellar evolution.
https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1422/ 🔭
Star clusters like NGC 3293 contain stars that all formed at the same time and out of the same cloud of gas and dust. Hence, they are ideal for testing stellar evolution.
https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1422/ 🔭
December 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Love this cluster. I've always called it the Eye of Horus but not an official name.
In January, as part of my series on potential discoveries using Gaia DR4, I'll be writing an article on the history of human attempts to map the inner galaxy. As research for this article, I've been having fun tracing the history of publications on the "Sagittarius arm".
December 11, 2025 at 9:47 AM
In January, as part of my series on potential discoveries using Gaia DR4, I'll be writing an article on the history of human attempts to map the inner galaxy. As research for this article, I've been having fun tracing the history of publications on the "Sagittarius arm".
My latest VR project is, paradoxically, a 2D text adventure engine. For more details and information on how you can create your own adventures using a simple JSON file, see this article:
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-14/
#GameDev #IndieDev
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-14/
#GameDev #IndieDev
Adventure Engine
A system to create illustrated text adventures
kevinjardine.dev
December 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM
My latest VR project is, paradoxically, a 2D text adventure engine. For more details and information on how you can create your own adventures using a simple JSON file, see this article:
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-14/
#GameDev #IndieDev
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-14/
#GameDev #IndieDev
Reposted by Galaxy Map
I got this encyclopedia of planets in a box of Cracker Jacks back in the 70s.
December 10, 2025 at 6:35 AM
I got this encyclopedia of planets in a box of Cracker Jacks back in the 70s.
I love this cautionary tale. Thanks to @chrislintott.bsky.social for the link. A reminder that not everyone who pushes lies is an outright con man. Some are deluded by their own desires.
newrepublic.com/article/2028...
newrepublic.com/article/2028...
The Man Who Wanted to Believe in Life on Mars
The Mars craze is a case study in twisting evidence and defying facts.
newrepublic.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:53 AM
I love this cautionary tale. Thanks to @chrislintott.bsky.social for the link. A reminder that not everyone who pushes lies is an outright con man. Some are deluded by their own desires.
newrepublic.com/article/2028...
newrepublic.com/article/2028...
Shocked that this still hasn't been resolved.
Eminent researchers have written an open letter to the Chilean Government appealing for the protection of the #DarkSkies above our Paranal Observatory, threatened by the industrial complex INNA — planned to be located just a few kilometres away.
https://www.eso.org/public/announcements/ann25009
🔭 🧪
https://www.eso.org/public/announcements/ann25009
🔭 🧪
December 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Shocked that this still hasn't been resolved.
I'm best known these days for visualizing Gaia Mission data but I've also tried my hand at visualizing HI velocity data. Here, for example, is a slice of HI4PI. I'd love to see more papers about HI4PI.
December 2, 2025 at 10:05 AM
I'm best known these days for visualizing Gaia Mission data but I've also tried my hand at visualizing HI velocity data. Here, for example, is a slice of HI4PI. I'd love to see more papers about HI4PI.
In case anyone missed this yesterday. The countdown has begun!
Gaia DR4 is expected to be released in December 2026, so today is a good day to start the countdown!
Why is Gaia DR4 going to be so exciting? Here are several reasons.
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-13/
Why is Gaia DR4 going to be so exciting? Here are several reasons.
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-13/
Counting down to Gaia DR4
The next data release from the revolutionary star mapping Gaia Mission
kevinjardine.dev
December 2, 2025 at 7:47 AM
In case anyone missed this yesterday. The countdown has begun!
I have to give Star Trek writers big credit for their decision to choose a real nearby star as the location for Star Fleet's disastrous battle with the Borg. It's usually the only reason why people have heard of Wolf 359.
Jayce’s Fighting Ships of Wolf 359 is here — early for Patreon!
Our first community-led book is finally complete, featuring gorgeous art by @pundus.art and @steillustrates.bsky.social stunning design work by Hye. Patreon members can download it right now — a full month before public release.
Our first community-led book is finally complete, featuring gorgeous art by @pundus.art and @steillustrates.bsky.social stunning design work by Hye. Patreon members can download it right now — a full month before public release.
New Release! Jayce's Fighting Ships of Wolf 359 | Tranquilty Press
Get more from Tranquilty Press on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I have to give Star Trek writers big credit for their decision to choose a real nearby star as the location for Star Fleet's disastrous battle with the Borg. It's usually the only reason why people have heard of Wolf 359.
Gaia DR4 is expected to be released in December 2026, so today is a good day to start the countdown!
Why is Gaia DR4 going to be so exciting? Here are several reasons.
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-13/
Why is Gaia DR4 going to be so exciting? Here are several reasons.
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-13/
Counting down to Gaia DR4
The next data release from the revolutionary star mapping Gaia Mission
kevinjardine.dev
December 1, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Gaia DR4 is expected to be released in December 2026, so today is a good day to start the countdown!
Why is Gaia DR4 going to be so exciting? Here are several reasons.
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-13/
Why is Gaia DR4 going to be so exciting? Here are several reasons.
kevinjardine.dev/blog/post-13/
It would be amazing if Pico were to release an affordable (less than 1000 euros) 4K per eye VR headset.
www.uploadvr.com/pico-2026-he...
www.uploadvr.com/pico-2026-he...
Pico's 2026 Headset To Have 4K Micro-OLED Displays & R1-Style Chip
Pico's 2026 headset will have 4K micro-OLED displays and a dedicated R1-style passthrough chip, a ByteDance executive reportedly said.
www.uploadvr.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:01 PM
It would be amazing if Pico were to release an affordable (less than 1000 euros) 4K per eye VR headset.
www.uploadvr.com/pico-2026-he...
www.uploadvr.com/pico-2026-he...
Reposted by Galaxy Map
A confusing statement. NASA's proposed 2025 budget was 25.4 billion dollars. If this ESA budget was annual, it would be similar. But I think this is for 3 years. ☹️
22.1 billion euros subscribed.
A record.
A first.
And a clear message that Europe is serious about space and that @esa.int is the agency it trusts to deliver.
A historic Ministerial. A united Europe. A stronger ESA.
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
A record.
A first.
And a clear message that Europe is serious about space and that @esa.int is the agency it trusts to deliver.
A historic Ministerial. A united Europe. A stronger ESA.
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
ESA Member States commit to largest contributions at Ministerial
The largest contributions in the history of the European Space Agency, €22.1 bn, have been approved at its Council meeting at Ministerial level in Bremen, ...
www.esa.int
November 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
A confusing statement. NASA's proposed 2025 budget was 25.4 billion dollars. If this ESA budget was annual, it would be similar. But I think this is for 3 years. ☹️
A confusing statement. NASA's proposed 2025 budget was 25.4 billion dollars. If this ESA budget was annual, it would be similar. But I think this is for 3 years. ☹️
22.1 billion euros subscribed.
A record.
A first.
And a clear message that Europe is serious about space and that @esa.int is the agency it trusts to deliver.
A historic Ministerial. A united Europe. A stronger ESA.
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
A record.
A first.
And a clear message that Europe is serious about space and that @esa.int is the agency it trusts to deliver.
A historic Ministerial. A united Europe. A stronger ESA.
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
ESA Member States commit to largest contributions at Ministerial
The largest contributions in the history of the European Space Agency, €22.1 bn, have been approved at its Council meeting at Ministerial level in Bremen, ...
www.esa.int
November 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
A confusing statement. NASA's proposed 2025 budget was 25.4 billion dollars. If this ESA budget was annual, it would be similar. But I think this is for 3 years. ☹️
I'd like to talk to people organizing VR field trips for schools, seniors or other groups. Any suggestions?
November 22, 2025 at 9:27 AM
I'd like to talk to people organizing VR field trips for schools, seniors or other groups. Any suggestions?
It would be fun to work out what the sky would have looked like 66 million years ago, on the day before the asteroid wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs. I think quite different. Has anyone already done that?
It's Friday, and apparently bluesky is ready for this fun revelation:
Dinosaurs lived on the other side the Galaxy.
Dinosaurs lived on the other side the Galaxy.
November 22, 2025 at 2:06 AM
It would be fun to work out what the sky would have looked like 66 million years ago, on the day before the asteroid wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs. I think quite different. Has anyone already done that?
‘Now we need to choose our friends very, very wisely, so when we come to America, we come to Canada now.’
Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch
Clever phrasing. When I was growing up in Canada, the country to our south was the "United States".
"America" was the continents.
Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch
Clever phrasing. When I was growing up in Canada, the country to our south was the "United States".
"America" was the continents.
November 21, 2025 at 10:42 PM
‘Now we need to choose our friends very, very wisely, so when we come to America, we come to Canada now.’
Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch
Clever phrasing. When I was growing up in Canada, the country to our south was the "United States".
"America" was the continents.
Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch
Clever phrasing. When I was growing up in Canada, the country to our south was the "United States".
"America" was the continents.
Well OK, I can sort of understand the excitement of being able to visit real environments in VR, but the astronomy worlds I can create in VR are way more interesting than my home office.
youtu.be/ybdWf6P3FKE?...
youtu.be/ybdWf6P3FKE?...
The Quest 3 Just Unlocked Something Wild
YouTube video by BMFVR
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Well OK, I can sort of understand the excitement of being able to visit real environments in VR, but the astronomy worlds I can create in VR are way more interesting than my home office.
youtu.be/ybdWf6P3FKE?...
youtu.be/ybdWf6P3FKE?...
Reposted by Galaxy Map
Webb has revealed for the first time that there are four shells of dust around this pair of Wolf-Rayet stars, which are known as Apep.
Read more 👉 https://esawebb.org/images/wolf-rayet-apep/
🔭
Read more 👉 https://esawebb.org/images/wolf-rayet-apep/
🔭
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Webb has revealed for the first time that there are four shells of dust around this pair of Wolf-Rayet stars, which are known as Apep.
Read more 👉 https://esawebb.org/images/wolf-rayet-apep/
🔭
Read more 👉 https://esawebb.org/images/wolf-rayet-apep/
🔭
Reposted by Galaxy Map
Our Director @cmundell.esa.int is “proud that the collaboration between our Chinese colleagues & our ESA teams has gone so well and that we’re on the right track to launch in spring 2026 [...] Smile is the next big step in revealing how our planet’s magnetic shield protects us from the solar wind.”
November 20, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Our Director @cmundell.esa.int is “proud that the collaboration between our Chinese colleagues & our ESA teams has gone so well and that we’re on the right track to launch in spring 2026 [...] Smile is the next big step in revealing how our planet’s magnetic shield protects us from the solar wind.”
I've done a revised version of my O-type star poster which uses Bailer-Jones distances where available. This eliminated 7 stars that are now further than 1250 pc but added 11 more.
png: gruze.org/ha_grid/o_st...
pdf: gruze.org/ha_grid/o_st...
png: gruze.org/ha_grid/o_st...
pdf: gruze.org/ha_grid/o_st...
November 20, 2025 at 12:10 PM
I've done a revised version of my O-type star poster which uses Bailer-Jones distances where available. This eliminated 7 stars that are now further than 1250 pc but added 11 more.
png: gruze.org/ha_grid/o_st...
pdf: gruze.org/ha_grid/o_st...
png: gruze.org/ha_grid/o_st...
pdf: gruze.org/ha_grid/o_st...