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Stephen Kane

@exocytherean.bsky.social

Planetary Astrophysicist at the University of California, Riverside. I like Venus. A lot. Exoplanets are also kinda cool.

324 Followers  |  168 Following  |  150 Posts  |  Joined: 21.08.2023
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Posts by Stephen Kane (@exocytherean.bsky.social)

Colonial Sydney (AI Reconstruction)
YouTube video by Matt Reconstructs History Colonial Sydney (AI Reconstruction)

The use of AI in bringing history to life is something I can definitely get behind. This video, showing the birth and growth of Sydney using AI generated from original paintings, is absolutely beautiful!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjZB...

01.03.2026 17:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Habitability Beyond Earth

My episode of the UCR podcast "The Reference Desk" is now available, in which I talk all about planetary habitability, both in science and science-fiction.
open.spotify.com/episode/7eMa...

25.02.2026 23:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Honesty is the best policy! ๐Ÿ˜‚

24.02.2026 05:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Agreed! I've also told people that I interpret a "gentle reminder" email as the person speaking "MOVE YOUR ASS!" directly into my face with a megaphone.

24.02.2026 05:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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If it helps Paul, I put us on Mars fighting the Adeptus Mechanicus.

23.02.2026 01:58 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Yeah ... "outreach" ... lets call it that!

23.02.2026 00:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

ZACTLY!!!

22.02.2026 22:40 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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There's a whole lot of heresy out there they you and I have to deal with.

22.02.2026 22:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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As you wish!

22.02.2026 21:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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I'm having way too much fun with this. #Warhammer40k

22.02.2026 21:19 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
The Gus McCrae School of Bartending
YouTube video by Max Brazil The Gus McCrae School of Bartending

Very sad to hear of the passing of one of my favorite actors, Robert Duvall. His portrayal of the Legendary Texas Ranger, Captain Augustus "Gus" McCrae, is one of the greatest characters ever to appear on screen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBG2...

17.02.2026 00:16 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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An important message from our sibling world.

14.02.2026 17:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Did you know that the Soviet Venera 4 lander was designed to float in case of a water landing, and reorient itself to transmit from the surface? It was decisively crushed by Venus atmosphere during descent, precipitating a massive redesign of future Venera landers.

12.02.2026 19:18 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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This week in my "Planets in Science Fiction" class, I will be discussing the amazing short story "Nightfall" by Isaac Asimov and its insights into the nature of scientific bias. Also be sure to check out the incredible work of @planetplanet.bsky.social at planetplanet.net.

09.02.2026 18:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

D&D monsters. Currently using a device named dracolich.

06.02.2026 02:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Imaging Venus-like Worlds: Spectral, Polarimetric, and UV Diagnostics for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Understanding planetary habitability requires a comparative approach that explores the divergent evolutionary outcomes of Earth and Venus. The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) will be uniquely posit...

I know it's called the "Habitable Worlds Observatory", but what about uninhabitable worlds? Check out the below paper to learn what HWO can teach us about our sister planet and its analogs that are scattered among the stars!
arxiv.org/abs/2602.02728

04.02.2026 03:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Maybe don't call exoplanets "Earth-like" until the 2040s A plea and a note on science communication

Ok since I apparently have a little slice of Bluesky's attention regarding planets right now, allow me to rant a little.

This week's newsletter post is all about talking about exoplanets and why we might not want to call any of them "Earth-like" for a few decades ๐Ÿงช๐Ÿ”ญ

29.01.2026 20:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 56    ๐Ÿ” 10    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
27.01.2026 18:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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a close up of a man 's face with the words `` it 's done '' written on the bottom . ALT: a close up of a man 's face with the words `` it 's done '' written on the bottom .

www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...

24.01.2026 03:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Me too!! I'm all in!!

22.01.2026 20:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

This is an amazing book by an incredible author! Jason put a monumental amount research into this tome, and it really shows. I highly recommend it!

21.01.2026 04:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I'm definitely coming to yours for a game night the next time I'm in town!!

21.01.2026 03:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Right?? How is this even possible? Coincidences like this must cause a rupture in space-time! ๐Ÿ˜‚

19.01.2026 23:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
An Asteroid Called Kane
YouTube video by Asteroid Kane - Topic An Asteroid Called Kane

One week ago, an asteroid was named after me by the IAU. Today, I discovered that this song exists. I am in awe!! ๐Ÿคฃ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahdA...

19.01.2026 21:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

"The Mild Boys"

18.01.2026 21:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

For what it's worth Jason, your hard work and passion for the project is obvious in the final result, which is beautiful! Everyone should own a copy of the book!

18.01.2026 21:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Poet Jodie Foster GIF ALT: Poet Jodie Foster GIF

My research group watched the movie "Contact" together last Friday night, including two people seeing it for the first time. It's such a wonderful experience to share.

18.01.2026 21:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I love the phrase "writing jail". That will be the title of my memoirs. ๐Ÿ˜„

16.01.2026 17:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Congress passes bill to fund U.S. science agencies, rebuffing Trump's requested cuts The Senate voted to provide billions more to NASA, NOAA and the National Science Foundation than the president had asked for.

The Senate has voted in favor of the spending bill, and so the Congressional hurdle has been passed. After a long year of advocating for NASA science, this brought tears to my eyes.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...

16.01.2026 06:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Congrats to @exocytherean.bsky.social who now has his own (minor) planet!

12.01.2026 23:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 11    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0