Michael Busch
@michael-w-busch.bsky.social
Planetary astronomer, studying piles of rock in space. Reader of books. Drinker of tea. He/him. This is a personal account. To bigotry no sanction.
Pinned
PSA: Anyone showing up in my mentions trying to defend or excuse bigotry and things that kill people gets reported and blocked.
Yet again, USA:
Require that Congress affirm that the Department of Energy will act as it has ordered and anything Donald Trump says to the contrary is void.
And #ImpeachWright for spending his time promoting climate change denialism and scams that are running up costs & destabilizing power grids.
Require that Congress affirm that the Department of Energy will act as it has ordered and anything Donald Trump says to the contrary is void.
And #ImpeachWright for spending his time promoting climate change denialism and scams that are running up costs & destabilizing power grids.
Ok so.
"The Genesis Mission will build an integrated AI platform to harness Federal scientific datasets — the world’s largest collection ... — to train scientific foundation models and create AI agents to test new hypotheses, automate research workflows, and accelerate scientific breakthroughs."
"The Genesis Mission will build an integrated AI platform to harness Federal scientific datasets — the world’s largest collection ... — to train scientific foundation models and create AI agents to test new hypotheses, automate research workflows, and accelerate scientific breakthroughs."
"the president has directed the Department of Energy to launch an AI project called the genesis mission" sounds like something out of a technothriller
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
November 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Yet again, USA:
Require that Congress affirm that the Department of Energy will act as it has ordered and anything Donald Trump says to the contrary is void.
And #ImpeachWright for spending his time promoting climate change denialism and scams that are running up costs & destabilizing power grids.
Require that Congress affirm that the Department of Energy will act as it has ordered and anything Donald Trump says to the contrary is void.
And #ImpeachWright for spending his time promoting climate change denialism and scams that are running up costs & destabilizing power grids.
Reposted by Michael Busch
If you want to feel old, we are now further from the formation of the Kenorland Supercontinent than the formation of the Kenorland Supercontinent is from the formation of the Solar System.
November 25, 2025 at 5:35 AM
If you want to feel old, we are now further from the formation of the Kenorland Supercontinent than the formation of the Kenorland Supercontinent is from the formation of the Solar System.
Reposted by Michael Busch
The #HayliGubbi eruption came after a period of unrest that started in June-July 2025 with a large dike intrusion in the southern sector of the Erta Ale rift. Our InSAR study will be out soon but you can have a summary at the link below. @earth-science.bsky.social #geoscience
Basaltic dike in Erta Ale triggers explosive eruption in Hayli Gubbi. Read our new paper!
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ear...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ear...
Frontiers | Segmented dike intrusion linked to multi-level magma storage during and before the 2025 eruption at Erta Ale (East Africa)
Dike intrusions can assist continental rifting and plate divergence. However, our understanding of the magma dynamics during diking and the architecture of t...
www.frontiersin.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:11 AM
The #HayliGubbi eruption came after a period of unrest that started in June-July 2025 with a large dike intrusion in the southern sector of the Erta Ale rift. Our InSAR study will be out soon but you can have a summary at the link below. @earth-science.bsky.social #geoscience
Reposted by Michael Busch
The NSBP/SAO EHT Scholars Program is now accepting applications for Summer 2026!
Apply by Dec. 15th by contacting [email protected]
Apply by Dec. 15th by contacting [email protected]
November 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The NSBP/SAO EHT Scholars Program is now accepting applications for Summer 2026!
Apply by Dec. 15th by contacting [email protected]
Apply by Dec. 15th by contacting [email protected]
Reposted by Michael Busch
1/ THREAD: This year ICE has sent a record 600 immigrant kids into federal shelters, more than in the previous four years combined. Data suggests some are being separated from their families.
For one 15-year-old, it began with a cracked windshield 👇
For one 15-year-old, it began with a cracked windshield 👇
November 25, 2025 at 2:01 AM
1/ THREAD: This year ICE has sent a record 600 immigrant kids into federal shelters, more than in the previous four years combined. Data suggests some are being separated from their families.
For one 15-year-old, it began with a cracked windshield 👇
For one 15-year-old, it began with a cracked windshield 👇
Reposted by Michael Busch
November 24, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Yet again, USA:
Require that your members of Congress act to #ImpeachHegseth and #ImpeachTrump.
Give them no choice otherwise.
Require that your members of Congress act to #ImpeachHegseth and #ImpeachTrump.
Give them no choice otherwise.
AZ Sen. Mark Kelly appeared in a video alongside other lawmakers, urging service members to refuse orders that violate the law. Trump called this "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" Now Kelly is under investigation by the Pentagon. minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/24/r...
Pentagon investigates Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly after he appears in video blasted by Trump • Minnesota Reformer
WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense announced on social media Monday it’s looking into “serious allegations of misconduct” against Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, one of several lawmakers who p...
minnesotareformer.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Yet again, USA:
Require that your members of Congress act to #ImpeachHegseth and #ImpeachTrump.
Give them no choice otherwise.
Require that your members of Congress act to #ImpeachHegseth and #ImpeachTrump.
Give them no choice otherwise.
Reposted by Michael Busch
Okay space/science/book nerds, I've come up with a way to share ALL the @astrosociety.org books that are available for purchase: www.asplibraryproject.com 🧪 📚 🔭
Each bookcase is a blog post with photos of each and every shelf. If you see something you like, fill out the contact form!
#ASPLIbrary
Each bookcase is a blog post with photos of each and every shelf. If you see something you like, fill out the contact form!
#ASPLIbrary
ASP Library Project
www.asplibraryproject.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Okay space/science/book nerds, I've come up with a way to share ALL the @astrosociety.org books that are available for purchase: www.asplibraryproject.com 🧪 📚 🔭
Each bookcase is a blog post with photos of each and every shelf. If you see something you like, fill out the contact form!
#ASPLIbrary
Each bookcase is a blog post with photos of each and every shelf. If you see something you like, fill out the contact form!
#ASPLIbrary
Reposted by Michael Busch
📷 This NASA/ESA #Hubble Space Telescope image shows a gigantic cloud of cold hydrogen gas called N159. It's one of the largest star-forming clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud, neighbouring our galaxy. 🧪🔭
esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
November 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
📷 This NASA/ESA #Hubble Space Telescope image shows a gigantic cloud of cold hydrogen gas called N159. It's one of the largest star-forming clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud, neighbouring our galaxy. 🧪🔭
esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
The physicist Daniel Whiteson has asked "Can aliens taste electrons?" as a rhetorical introduction to a discussion of various ways of perceiving the universe.
My immediate response was to recall that we can taste protons.
So, maybe?
My immediate response was to recall that we can taste protons.
So, maybe?
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The physicist Daniel Whiteson has asked "Can aliens taste electrons?" as a rhetorical introduction to a discussion of various ways of perceiving the universe.
My immediate response was to recall that we can taste protons.
So, maybe?
My immediate response was to recall that we can taste protons.
So, maybe?
This is a reminder that vaccine denialists are not operating in good faith, and there is no obligation to pretend that they are.
Since I just encountered such a person.
Since I just encountered such a person.
November 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
This is a reminder that vaccine denialists are not operating in good faith, and there is no obligation to pretend that they are.
Since I just encountered such a person.
Since I just encountered such a person.
Reposted by Michael Busch
🚨 Final call to apply for ESA Internships 2026!
⏰ The clock is ticking!
Applications for the ESA Student Internship Programme 2026 close on 30 November. This is your chance to take your first step into the world of space 🚀 #ESArecruits
⏰ The clock is ticking!
Applications for the ESA Student Internship Programme 2026 close on 30 November. This is your chance to take your first step into the world of space 🚀 #ESArecruits
🚀 Ready to launch your career into space? ESA Student Internships 2026 are now open!
www.esa.int/About_Us/Car... #ESArecruits
www.esa.int/About_Us/Car... #ESArecruits
November 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM
🚨 Final call to apply for ESA Internships 2026!
⏰ The clock is ticking!
Applications for the ESA Student Internship Programme 2026 close on 30 November. This is your chance to take your first step into the world of space 🚀 #ESArecruits
⏰ The clock is ticking!
Applications for the ESA Student Internship Programme 2026 close on 30 November. This is your chance to take your first step into the world of space 🚀 #ESArecruits
Reposted by Michael Busch
Mohammad, an MSF nurse in #Gaza, spent months fleeing airstrikes and starvation with his children. His 5-year-old son Omar was seriously injured and later medically evacuated to MSF’s surgical hospital in #Jordan.
He’s now recovering.
Read their story: ow.ly/Usos50Xun5Y
He’s now recovering.
Read their story: ow.ly/Usos50Xun5Y
November 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Mohammad, an MSF nurse in #Gaza, spent months fleeing airstrikes and starvation with his children. His 5-year-old son Omar was seriously injured and later medically evacuated to MSF’s surgical hospital in #Jordan.
He’s now recovering.
Read their story: ow.ly/Usos50Xun5Y
He’s now recovering.
Read their story: ow.ly/Usos50Xun5Y
Reposted by Michael Busch
Remember that striking Starbucks workers are asking you not to buy Starbucks right now
November 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Remember that striking Starbucks workers are asking you not to buy Starbucks right now
Reposted by Michael Busch
So many things happening, I nearly missed the @newrepublic.com piece I was quoted in last week. It raises the possibility of continued political threats to SNAP, underscoring a point I make often: the best way to politically protect the safety net is to build the power of those who rely on it.
November 23, 2025 at 6:25 PM
So many things happening, I nearly missed the @newrepublic.com piece I was quoted in last week. It raises the possibility of continued political threats to SNAP, underscoring a point I make often: the best way to politically protect the safety net is to build the power of those who rely on it.
Reposted by Michael Busch
November 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Michael Busch
St. Paul folks who live in 64A, there's now a recorded statement from each candidate on the 64A special election page.
Saint Paul, here’s your one-stop-shop for all things special election in 64A:
www.sd64dfl.org/64a-special-...
Once campaign websites are shared with us we will update with declared candidates. If you live in the district, hear from 4 of them tonight at our 7pm meeting @ Davanni’s on Cleveland
www.sd64dfl.org/64a-special-...
Once campaign websites are shared with us we will update with declared candidates. If you live in the district, hear from 4 of them tonight at our 7pm meeting @ Davanni’s on Cleveland
64A Special Election — SD64 DFL
www.sd64dfl.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:13 AM
St. Paul folks who live in 64A, there's now a recorded statement from each candidate on the 64A special election page.
Pretty good books in this thread.
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein (@chanda.blacksky.app) is a cosmologist and I highly recommend her book, The Disordered Cosmos. She also has an upcoming book, The Edge of Space-Time, that's available for pre-order!
November 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Pretty good books in this thread.
Reposted by Michael Busch
A very close view of the craters that cover the surface of Saturn’s icy moon Rhea. NASA’s Cassini mission made this flyby in January 2011, passing within 76 kilometers (47 miles) at a speed of 8 km/sec (18,000 mph). This image had a resolution up to 22.6 meters per pixel towards the closer terrain.
November 23, 2025 at 1:31 AM
A very close view of the craters that cover the surface of Saturn’s icy moon Rhea. NASA’s Cassini mission made this flyby in January 2011, passing within 76 kilometers (47 miles) at a speed of 8 km/sec (18,000 mph). This image had a resolution up to 22.6 meters per pixel towards the closer terrain.
Reposted by Michael Busch
We had only recently passed 350 ppm when I started my PhD in Earth System Science, already a value understood to be dangerous and a threat to society.
And now, 33 years and 30 COPs later, we are at a value that is unprecedented for the past 3 million years and maybe even the past 8 million years.
And now, 33 years and 30 COPs later, we are at a value that is unprecedented for the past 3 million years and maybe even the past 8 million years.
425.82 parts per million (ppm) CO2 in air 20-Nov-2025
keelingcurve.ucsd.edu
keelingcurve.ucsd.edu
The Keeling Curve
The Keeling Curve is a daily record of global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration maintained by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.
keelingcurve.ucsd.edu
November 23, 2025 at 7:54 AM
We had only recently passed 350 ppm when I started my PhD in Earth System Science, already a value understood to be dangerous and a threat to society.
And now, 33 years and 30 COPs later, we are at a value that is unprecedented for the past 3 million years and maybe even the past 8 million years.
And now, 33 years and 30 COPs later, we are at a value that is unprecedented for the past 3 million years and maybe even the past 8 million years.
For those unaware:
NASA and other agencies working to address the asteroid impact hazard have produced a series of hypothetical impact scenarios as a training tool: cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/pd/cs/.
It has gotten very hard to create an impact scenario that is not already ruled out by observations.
NASA and other agencies working to address the asteroid impact hazard have produced a series of hypothetical impact scenarios as a training tool: cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/pd/cs/.
It has gotten very hard to create an impact scenario that is not already ruled out by observations.
Hypothetical Impact Scenarios
NASA's Near-Earth Object (NEO) web-site. Data related to Earth impact risk, close-approaches, and much more.
cneos.jpl.nasa.gov
November 22, 2025 at 11:35 PM
For those unaware:
NASA and other agencies working to address the asteroid impact hazard have produced a series of hypothetical impact scenarios as a training tool: cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/pd/cs/.
It has gotten very hard to create an impact scenario that is not already ruled out by observations.
NASA and other agencies working to address the asteroid impact hazard have produced a series of hypothetical impact scenarios as a training tool: cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/pd/cs/.
It has gotten very hard to create an impact scenario that is not already ruled out by observations.
Trump’s Dept. of Transportation has:
• Scrapped possible limits on train/bus driver hours to keep them from falling asleep
• Delayed a rule to help prevent 9/11-style cockpit takeovers
• Proposed exempting school bus child-restraint systems from crash-protection rules
• Scrapped possible limits on train/bus driver hours to keep them from falling asleep
• Delayed a rule to help prevent 9/11-style cockpit takeovers
• Proposed exempting school bus child-restraint systems from crash-protection rules
How Trump’s Transportation Department Is Loosening Safety Rules Meant to Protect the Public
ProPublica has identified dozens of instances in which the Trump administration’s DOT has moved to cut, soften or delay safety regulations for cars, trucks, planes, trains and even oil pipelines. Expe...
www.propublica.org
November 22, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Devastating essay about living with a terminal cancer diagnosis at 35, made more devastating by the author's relation to the health and human services secretary who's spent the past year cutting cancer research.
A Battle with My Blood
When I was diagnosed with leukemia, my first thought was that this couldn’t be happening to me, to my family.
www.newyorker.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Michael Busch
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:52 AM
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷