Austin
@settingcircle.bsky.social
Michigan
Astronomy, History, Photography
Astronomy, History, Photography
Reposted by Austin
The world's first trillionaire did this
June 14, 2026 at 12:30 AM
The world's first trillionaire did this
Reposted by Austin
May 4, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Austin
i have to believe that, at the end of the day, craft will save us. That our attention-spans can and will make time for it, both to slow down and make the thing you're proud of and for the person who encounters it and stops to soak it in. It's the only thing they can't take from us.
February 26, 2026 at 11:36 PM
i have to believe that, at the end of the day, craft will save us. That our attention-spans can and will make time for it, both to slow down and make the thing you're proud of and for the person who encounters it and stops to soak it in. It's the only thing they can't take from us.
Good to see this coming from the AAS. Variety and novelty are two very important drivers of scientific progress. Unregulated technological progress should also not eclipse our basic needs as humans.
February 27, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Good to see this coming from the AAS. Variety and novelty are two very important drivers of scientific progress. Unregulated technological progress should also not eclipse our basic needs as humans.
Reposted by Austin
AAS President Dara Norman and Past President Kelsey Johnson published an opinion article in SpaceNews today titled "The future of astronomy is both on Earth and in space." The article is signed by 15 past, current, and incoming AAS presidents.
The future of astronomy is both on Earth and in space
A recent SpaceNews opinion article argued that it is time to “take astronomy off Earth.” The suggestion is straightforward: If satellite constellations and commercial space activity threaten ground-based astronomy, perhaps astronomers should…
A recent SpaceNews opinion article argued that it is time to “take astronomy off Earth.” The suggestion is straightforward: If satellite constellations and commercial space activity threaten ground-based astronomy, perhaps astronomers should…
The future of astronomy is both on Earth and in space
A recent SpaceNews opinion article argued that it is time to “take astronomy off Earth.” The suggestion is straightforward: If satellite constellations and commercial space activity threaten ground-based astronomy, perhaps astronomers should simply move their work into space. As current, incoming and past presidents of the American Astronomical Society, we feel impelled to respond. As leaders in our professional field, we have spent countless hours in the rooms where decisions are made that shape humanity’s ability to understand the universe — at NASA, the National Science Foundation and the National Academies.
spacenews.com
February 25, 2026 at 10:17 PM
AAS President Dara Norman and Past President Kelsey Johnson published an opinion article in SpaceNews today titled "The future of astronomy is both on Earth and in space." The article is signed by 15 past, current, and incoming AAS presidents.
Reposted by Austin
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
February 18, 2026 at 5:39 PM
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
Reposted by Austin
Victorian astronomers used a dictionary to send each other secret messages about comets.
This the story of how - and why - they did it.
🧵 (1/7)
#astronomy #history
This the story of how - and why - they did it.
🧵 (1/7)
#astronomy #history
February 5, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Victorian astronomers used a dictionary to send each other secret messages about comets.
This the story of how - and why - they did it.
🧵 (1/7)
#astronomy #history
This the story of how - and why - they did it.
🧵 (1/7)
#astronomy #history
Reposted by Austin
They are just so blatantly racist.
Bondi directed federal agents to arrest four journalists.
Georgia Fort, Don Lemon, Jamael Lundy, and Trahern Crews.
All Black. All doing their jobs.
Georgia Fort, Don Lemon, Jamael Lundy, and Trahern Crews.
All Black. All doing their jobs.
January 30, 2026 at 7:08 PM
They are just so blatantly racist.
Reposted by Austin
Another day, another cold-blooded murder by Federal goons. This is the end result of voting for policies of hatred and othering.
Abolish ICE. Prosecute the whole chain of command. Ripping them out by the root and salting the Earth is the only way forward.
Abolish ICE. Prosecute the whole chain of command. Ripping them out by the root and salting the Earth is the only way forward.
“Federal agents briefly detained our reporter at the scene, who says he was tackled to the ground and had a gun put in his face.”
BREAKING: Federal agent shoots man in south Minneapolis
A Bring Me The News reporter was near the scene, and recorded multiple gunshots.
bringmethenews.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Another day, another cold-blooded murder by Federal goons. This is the end result of voting for policies of hatred and othering.
Abolish ICE. Prosecute the whole chain of command. Ripping them out by the root and salting the Earth is the only way forward.
Abolish ICE. Prosecute the whole chain of command. Ripping them out by the root and salting the Earth is the only way forward.
Reposted by Austin
"abolish ICE and prosecute everyone involved" is the moderate position
January 24, 2026 at 4:15 PM
"abolish ICE and prosecute everyone involved" is the moderate position
Reposted by Austin
Gentle reminder that EVERYONE shot by ICE or the police is innocent. Every single one. Cops aren't Judge Dredd. A person is innocent until proven guilty IN A COURT, so until a person is found guilty by a judge or jury, they're innocent. They're ALL innocent.
January 8, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Gentle reminder that EVERYONE shot by ICE or the police is innocent. Every single one. Cops aren't Judge Dredd. A person is innocent until proven guilty IN A COURT, so until a person is found guilty by a judge or jury, they're innocent. They're ALL innocent.
Reposted by Austin
A splendid cold walk to Fiddlers Gill to see the fab but rusting Victorian #Braidwood Telescope! Once part of the now long-gone Lanark Observatory, its optics are safe at the Lanark Museum. Sadly I see no hope in restoring this beauty tho, that's been long-abandoned in this field ☹️ #histsci 🔭🏴
January 4, 2026 at 12:32 PM
A splendid cold walk to Fiddlers Gill to see the fab but rusting Victorian #Braidwood Telescope! Once part of the now long-gone Lanark Observatory, its optics are safe at the Lanark Museum. Sadly I see no hope in restoring this beauty tho, that's been long-abandoned in this field ☹️ #histsci 🔭🏴
Reposted by Austin
conservatives basically want to implement the caricature of affirmative action for conservative students. acceptance without meeting qualifications, good grades and degrees without having to do the work.
OU has put the professor here on administrative leave:
December 1, 2025 at 1:29 AM
conservatives basically want to implement the caricature of affirmative action for conservative students. acceptance without meeting qualifications, good grades and degrees without having to do the work.
Reposted by Austin
This is pretty significant and that it’s been 11 years since they tried to build on Maunakea and Kanaka Maoli protectors have successfully impeded them is a major victory for traditional knowledge keepers and people fighting for Kanaka sovereignty. 🔭🧪
www.tmt.org/news/708
www.tmt.org/news/708
November 12, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This is pretty significant and that it’s been 11 years since they tried to build on Maunakea and Kanaka Maoli protectors have successfully impeded them is a major victory for traditional knowledge keepers and people fighting for Kanaka sovereignty. 🔭🧪
www.tmt.org/news/708
www.tmt.org/news/708
Reposted by Austin
If any of you fine folks are planetarians in (or want to be in) mid-Michigan, the Abrams Planetarium is hiring a full-time-staff position for the first time in 11 years!! Come work with the astro, scicomm, and informal ed folks at MSU!! 🔭 🧪 (reskeets welcome) careers.msu.edu/jobs/educati...
Educational Program Coordinator II - East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Position Summary
The program coordinator will maintain the planetarium, present live shows, and create new planetarium visualizations. In addition, this position will assist customers, assist in educa...
careers.msu.edu
September 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
If any of you fine folks are planetarians in (or want to be in) mid-Michigan, the Abrams Planetarium is hiring a full-time-staff position for the first time in 11 years!! Come work with the astro, scicomm, and informal ed folks at MSU!! 🔭 🧪 (reskeets welcome) careers.msu.edu/jobs/educati...
Reposted by Austin
Illinois Gov. Pritzker ahead of Trump National Guard deployment:
"To Chicagoans... Look out for your communities and your neighbours. Know your rights. Film things that you see happening... Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America."
"To Chicagoans... Look out for your communities and your neighbours. Know your rights. Film things that you see happening... Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America."
September 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Illinois Gov. Pritzker ahead of Trump National Guard deployment:
"To Chicagoans... Look out for your communities and your neighbours. Know your rights. Film things that you see happening... Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America."
"To Chicagoans... Look out for your communities and your neighbours. Know your rights. Film things that you see happening... Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America."
Reposted by Austin
I know, I know, but: The president of the US saying, literally, "we're going in" in reference to sending the military to an American city for no reason beyond terrorizing the local population should be the most immediately impeachable shit imaginable
September 2, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I know, I know, but: The president of the US saying, literally, "we're going in" in reference to sending the military to an American city for no reason beyond terrorizing the local population should be the most immediately impeachable shit imaginable
Had a wonderful visit to McDonald Observatory for the Docent Meeting organized for the Alliance of Historic Observatories. So many great things to take away from the meeting, among those being memories of these beautiful west Texas mountains.
August 31, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Had a wonderful visit to McDonald Observatory for the Docent Meeting organized for the Alliance of Historic Observatories. So many great things to take away from the meeting, among those being memories of these beautiful west Texas mountains.
Reposted by Austin
I made a promise to the women of Illinois — as governor, I will ensure your medical decisions will be your own.
Now, we continue fulfilling that promise.
Public colleges will now provide contraception and medication abortion at on-campus pharmacies and student health centers.
Now, we continue fulfilling that promise.
Public colleges will now provide contraception and medication abortion at on-campus pharmacies and student health centers.
August 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I made a promise to the women of Illinois — as governor, I will ensure your medical decisions will be your own.
Now, we continue fulfilling that promise.
Public colleges will now provide contraception and medication abortion at on-campus pharmacies and student health centers.
Now, we continue fulfilling that promise.
Public colleges will now provide contraception and medication abortion at on-campus pharmacies and student health centers.
Reposted by Austin
Apple Blossom
Acryla gouache
Acryla gouache
August 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Apple Blossom
Acryla gouache
Acryla gouache
Reposted by Austin
Kim Davis going from "my religious beliefs demand that I don't facilitate a same-sex marriages" to "my religious beliefs demand that there are NO same-sex marriages anywhere" *should* make Democrats realize there is no "sincere" compromise with bigots on trans issues.
August 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Kim Davis going from "my religious beliefs demand that I don't facilitate a same-sex marriages" to "my religious beliefs demand that there are NO same-sex marriages anywhere" *should* make Democrats realize there is no "sincere" compromise with bigots on trans issues.
What an extraordinarily beautiful photo.
Icy moons Enceladus and Dione, respectively, out in front of Saturn. Imaged by Cassini in 2007 and 2005.
flic.kr/p/2qAvjKN
flic.kr/p/2qzJeML
flic.kr/p/2qAvjKN
flic.kr/p/2qzJeML
July 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
What an extraordinarily beautiful photo.
Dusk over the observatory
July 23, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Dusk over the observatory