Christine Pulliam

It’s very easy to lie and manipulate when you control the sources of information. Just ask Putin.

"There is something haunting in the light of the [red giant].”

Have a happy and safe Halloween, from STScI! 🎃

Credit: Illustration: Ralf Crawford/STScI; Quote: Joseph Conrad.

The Red Spider Nebula, caught by Webb The Red Spider Nebula, caught by Webb

Just in time for Halloween, our friends at ESA have released a new photo of a cosmic creepy crawly! esawebb.org/images/potm2...

Same, Cody. Same!

A stat we don't talk about enough: Newspapers have lost 77% of their jobs over the last 20 year, more than any of the 532 other industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are going to be a LOT of people in thrift shops this year.
And in food banks.
And at holiday soup kitchens.

For the love of CHRIST - now that someone's brought this to your attention, please go through your stuff - for kids *and* for grown-ups - and for once, give some GOOD stuff away.

Aging White Dwarf Still Consuming Its Planetary System

Munch, munch, munch! This white dwarf is snacking on one of its ex-planets. www.stsci.edu/contents/new...

Now that’s a winning platform!

The fact that Republicans get upset about tearing down confederate monuments, but not demolishing the White House, says a lot.

This was a fun thread to start my morning.

It’s amazing how much a person’s mood can improve after 10 hours of mostly uninterrupted sleep.

I can vouch for Mark - he’s good!

Procrastination takes may forms. Tonight as a service to the astronomical community I offer help with your JWST proposal titles.
#JWST 🧪🔭✨

I am being asked to tell my department which pieces of lab equipment should be supported with backup power because they expect rolling blackouts and brownouts in 2026 due to increased energy demands from AI. In case you're wondering how my day is going.

Hot Water Balloon This means you're free to copy and share these comics (but not to sell them). More details.

The hot water balloon festival in Albuquerque should not be missed. ;-) xkcd.com/3153/

Of course there is also some… not so gorgeous work.

Today I learned there is a Mister Global National Costume Competition. And I am HERE for it! If you need a smile, or just want to admire some truly gorgeous costume work, this is the thread for you.

Social post by Donald J. Trump that says: 'Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also!'

The President of the United States calling for the imprisonment of elected officials with no legal basis should alarm everyone, regardless of party.

Jane Goodall crouched down and reaching out as a baby chimp reached out to touch her

I hope people spend days and days talking about her (she is 10,000,000 times more important than Charlie Kirk) and the amazing work she did.

This photo will always be so powerful and as defining of who we all can be.

Be like Jane Goodall.

Photographer: Hugo van Lawick

NASA’s First-Ever Alien-Hunting Space Telescope Could Enlighten Our New Dark Age The Habitable Worlds Observatory is poised to tell us whether Earthlike planets are common—if it can get off the ground

Now on @sciam.bsky.social: NASA’s next-gen Habitable Worlds Observatory may be our best chance to find alien life. But can a nation busy ripping itself apart unite to launch a mission to solve life’s cosmic mysteries? By @nadiadrake.bsky.social (and me).

www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-...

Old floppy drive with printed label 'Works, but makes Sad Noises'

Got my performance review.

Yay!

Science!!

Now I know what not to buy when we eventually replace our fridge.

The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other - to disturb, even - is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people. It is not to be denied. Not by violence, not by the abuse of governmental power, nor by acts of corporate cowardice. As a Guild, we stand united in opposition to anyone who uses their power and influence to silence the voices of writers, or anyone who speaks in dissent. If free speech applied only to ideas we like, we needn't have bothered to write it into the Constitution. What we have signed on to - painful as it may be at times - is the freeing agreement to disagree. Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth. As for our employers, our words have made you rich. Silencing us impoverishes the whole world. The WA stands with Jimmy Kimmel and his writers.

WGA Statement on ABC’s Decision to Pull Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Me with a bandaid on my upper arm

Got my flu and COVID jabs!

A $100-Million Mission to Another Star Just Disappeared An abandoned plan to visit another star highlights the perils of billionaire-funded science

Ever wonder what happened to that $100 million interstellar spaceship program? Me too. www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...

rusted wendy's sign is horrifying

"Sir, this is a [HOWLING OF MILLIONS OF DEMONS OF HELL]."

I just visited Zion for the first time on Friday and yes, it is beautiful! Sorry to miss the astronomy festival.

In case you could use a brief timeline cleanse: