Bart B
@bart22.bsky.social
Retired planetarium director 🪐
Astronomy, Civil War & coin history explained
Astrophotographer • Cyclist
Astronomy, Civil War & coin history explained
Astrophotographer • Cyclist
Pinned
I enjoy explaining across my interests:
🪐 Astronomy — what’s in the sky
🇺🇸 Civil War — citizen soldiers & history
🪙 Coins & stamps — history in objects
🚴🏻♂️ Cycling — trails & observations
• Retired planetarium director
• Astrophotographer
Accurate, calm explanations across topics.
🪐 Astronomy — what’s in the sky
🇺🇸 Civil War — citizen soldiers & history
🪙 Coins & stamps — history in objects
🚴🏻♂️ Cycling — trails & observations
• Retired planetarium director
• Astrophotographer
Accurate, calm explanations across topics.
I enjoy explaining across my interests:
🪐 Astronomy — what’s in the sky
🇺🇸 Civil War — citizen soldiers & history
🪙 Coins & stamps — history in objects
🚴🏻♂️ Cycling — trails & observations
• Retired planetarium director
• Astrophotographer
Accurate, calm explanations across topics.
🪐 Astronomy — what’s in the sky
🇺🇸 Civil War — citizen soldiers & history
🪙 Coins & stamps — history in objects
🚴🏻♂️ Cycling — trails & observations
• Retired planetarium director
• Astrophotographer
Accurate, calm explanations across topics.
February 15, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I enjoy explaining across my interests:
🪐 Astronomy — what’s in the sky
🇺🇸 Civil War — citizen soldiers & history
🪙 Coins & stamps — history in objects
🚴🏻♂️ Cycling — trails & observations
• Retired planetarium director
• Astrophotographer
Accurate, calm explanations across topics.
🪐 Astronomy — what’s in the sky
🇺🇸 Civil War — citizen soldiers & history
🪙 Coins & stamps — history in objects
🚴🏻♂️ Cycling — trails & observations
• Retired planetarium director
• Astrophotographer
Accurate, calm explanations across topics.
Remembering Abraham Lincoln on his birthday, which was in 1809 (217 years ago).
#AbrahamLincoln #CivilWarHistory #americanhistory
#AbrahamLincoln #CivilWarHistory #americanhistory
February 12, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Remembering Abraham Lincoln on his birthday, which was in 1809 (217 years ago).
#AbrahamLincoln #CivilWarHistory #americanhistory
#AbrahamLincoln #CivilWarHistory #americanhistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 12 — Second Inaugural
Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address may be his greatest speech. Delivered in March 1865 as the Civil War neared its end, its famous line
“With malice toward none; with charity for all”
emphasized reconciliation over triumph.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 12 — Second Inaugural
Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address may be his greatest speech. Delivered in March 1865 as the Civil War neared its end, its famous line
“With malice toward none; with charity for all”
emphasized reconciliation over triumph.
#CivilWarHistory
February 12, 2026 at 4:43 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 12 — Second Inaugural
Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address may be his greatest speech. Delivered in March 1865 as the Civil War neared its end, its famous line
“With malice toward none; with charity for all”
emphasized reconciliation over triumph.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 12 — Second Inaugural
Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address may be his greatest speech. Delivered in March 1865 as the Civil War neared its end, its famous line
“With malice toward none; with charity for all”
emphasized reconciliation over triumph.
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 11 — The Lincoln Cent
In 1909, on the centennial of Lincoln’s birth, the U.S. replaced the Indian Head Cent with the Lincoln Cent — the first circulating coin to feature a real person. 117 years later, its obverse design hasn’t changed.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 11 — The Lincoln Cent
In 1909, on the centennial of Lincoln’s birth, the U.S. replaced the Indian Head Cent with the Lincoln Cent — the first circulating coin to feature a real person. 117 years later, its obverse design hasn’t changed.
#CivilWarHistory
February 11, 2026 at 3:29 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 11 — The Lincoln Cent
In 1909, on the centennial of Lincoln’s birth, the U.S. replaced the Indian Head Cent with the Lincoln Cent — the first circulating coin to feature a real person. 117 years later, its obverse design hasn’t changed.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 11 — The Lincoln Cent
In 1909, on the centennial of Lincoln’s birth, the U.S. replaced the Indian Head Cent with the Lincoln Cent — the first circulating coin to feature a real person. 117 years later, its obverse design hasn’t changed.
#CivilWarHistory
Today I enjoyed my first bike ride in 4 weeks! It reached a balmy 45 degrees, with traces of snow still clinging to the less traveled streets.
February 11, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Today I enjoyed my first bike ride in 4 weeks! It reached a balmy 45 degrees, with traces of snow still clinging to the less traveled streets.
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 10 — Places Named Lincoln
Only one town named “Lincoln” existed during his lifetime — Lincoln, Illinois. In the 1850s, Abraham Lincoln helped design the town, practiced law there, and helped shape its future.
All others were named for him after his death.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 10 — Places Named Lincoln
Only one town named “Lincoln” existed during his lifetime — Lincoln, Illinois. In the 1850s, Abraham Lincoln helped design the town, practiced law there, and helped shape its future.
All others were named for him after his death.
#CivilWarHistory
February 10, 2026 at 4:07 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 10 — Places Named Lincoln
Only one town named “Lincoln” existed during his lifetime — Lincoln, Illinois. In the 1850s, Abraham Lincoln helped design the town, practiced law there, and helped shape its future.
All others were named for him after his death.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 10 — Places Named Lincoln
Only one town named “Lincoln” existed during his lifetime — Lincoln, Illinois. In the 1850s, Abraham Lincoln helped design the town, practiced law there, and helped shape its future.
All others were named for him after his death.
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 9 — Lincoln’s Height
In the 1850s, the average American man stood about 5’ 7”.
At 6’ 4”, Lincoln physically towered over his contemporaries — including Stephen Douglas, who stood a full foot shorter. The contrast became part of his legend.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 9 — Lincoln’s Height
In the 1850s, the average American man stood about 5’ 7”.
At 6’ 4”, Lincoln physically towered over his contemporaries — including Stephen Douglas, who stood a full foot shorter. The contrast became part of his legend.
#CivilWarHistory
February 9, 2026 at 3:39 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 9 — Lincoln’s Height
In the 1850s, the average American man stood about 5’ 7”.
At 6’ 4”, Lincoln physically towered over his contemporaries — including Stephen Douglas, who stood a full foot shorter. The contrast became part of his legend.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 9 — Lincoln’s Height
In the 1850s, the average American man stood about 5’ 7”.
At 6’ 4”, Lincoln physically towered over his contemporaries — including Stephen Douglas, who stood a full foot shorter. The contrast became part of his legend.
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 8 — Lincoln’s Beard
In 1860, an 11-year-old girl wrote Lincoln suggesting he grow a beard to soften his appearance. After the election, he did just that! When his train passed through Grace’s town in 1861, he met her and credited her suggestion.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 8 — Lincoln’s Beard
In 1860, an 11-year-old girl wrote Lincoln suggesting he grow a beard to soften his appearance. After the election, he did just that! When his train passed through Grace’s town in 1861, he met her and credited her suggestion.
#CivilWarHistory
February 8, 2026 at 4:17 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 8 — Lincoln’s Beard
In 1860, an 11-year-old girl wrote Lincoln suggesting he grow a beard to soften his appearance. After the election, he did just that! When his train passed through Grace’s town in 1861, he met her and credited her suggestion.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 8 — Lincoln’s Beard
In 1860, an 11-year-old girl wrote Lincoln suggesting he grow a beard to soften his appearance. After the election, he did just that! When his train passed through Grace’s town in 1861, he met her and credited her suggestion.
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 7 — Lincoln’s Speaking Voice (Part 2)
We’ll never hear Lincoln’s real voice, but using historical descriptions, I conducted a thought experiment using ElevenLabs speech synthesis technology. The result was far less strange than expected:
bit.ly/3OeEtFt
#CivilWarHistory
Day 7 — Lincoln’s Speaking Voice (Part 2)
We’ll never hear Lincoln’s real voice, but using historical descriptions, I conducted a thought experiment using ElevenLabs speech synthesis technology. The result was far less strange than expected:
bit.ly/3OeEtFt
#CivilWarHistory
February 7, 2026 at 3:33 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 7 — Lincoln’s Speaking Voice (Part 2)
We’ll never hear Lincoln’s real voice, but using historical descriptions, I conducted a thought experiment using ElevenLabs speech synthesis technology. The result was far less strange than expected:
bit.ly/3OeEtFt
#CivilWarHistory
Day 7 — Lincoln’s Speaking Voice (Part 2)
We’ll never hear Lincoln’s real voice, but using historical descriptions, I conducted a thought experiment using ElevenLabs speech synthesis technology. The result was far less strange than expected:
bit.ly/3OeEtFt
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 6 — Lincoln’s Speaking Voice (Part 1)
Lincoln’s voice was high-pitched and reedy — not the booming baritone we imagine. But it carried across crowds and proved remarkably effective once listeners adjusted.
Tomorrow: a voice reconstruction experiment.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 6 — Lincoln’s Speaking Voice (Part 1)
Lincoln’s voice was high-pitched and reedy — not the booming baritone we imagine. But it carried across crowds and proved remarkably effective once listeners adjusted.
Tomorrow: a voice reconstruction experiment.
#CivilWarHistory
February 6, 2026 at 6:04 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 6 — Lincoln’s Speaking Voice (Part 1)
Lincoln’s voice was high-pitched and reedy — not the booming baritone we imagine. But it carried across crowds and proved remarkably effective once listeners adjusted.
Tomorrow: a voice reconstruction experiment.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 6 — Lincoln’s Speaking Voice (Part 1)
Lincoln’s voice was high-pitched and reedy — not the booming baritone we imagine. But it carried across crowds and proved remarkably effective once listeners adjusted.
Tomorrow: a voice reconstruction experiment.
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 5 — Lincoln at Gettysburg
Following Edward Everett's two hour speech, Lincoln's short address argued that the Civil War was a test of whether a nation founded on equality and self-government could survive. Lincoln’s 272 words redefined American democracy.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 5 — Lincoln at Gettysburg
Following Edward Everett's two hour speech, Lincoln's short address argued that the Civil War was a test of whether a nation founded on equality and self-government could survive. Lincoln’s 272 words redefined American democracy.
#CivilWarHistory
February 5, 2026 at 4:01 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 5 — Lincoln at Gettysburg
Following Edward Everett's two hour speech, Lincoln's short address argued that the Civil War was a test of whether a nation founded on equality and self-government could survive. Lincoln’s 272 words redefined American democracy.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 5 — Lincoln at Gettysburg
Following Edward Everett's two hour speech, Lincoln's short address argued that the Civil War was a test of whether a nation founded on equality and self-government could survive. Lincoln’s 272 words redefined American democracy.
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 4 — Cooper Union: Lincoln the Logician
Lincoln’s 1860 Cooper Union speech made his presidency possible. By calmly proving that the Founders supported restricting slavery, he made his conclusion inescapable — and transformed himself into a national figure.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 4 — Cooper Union: Lincoln the Logician
Lincoln’s 1860 Cooper Union speech made his presidency possible. By calmly proving that the Founders supported restricting slavery, he made his conclusion inescapable — and transformed himself into a national figure.
#CivilWarHistory
February 4, 2026 at 3:10 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 4 — Cooper Union: Lincoln the Logician
Lincoln’s 1860 Cooper Union speech made his presidency possible. By calmly proving that the Founders supported restricting slavery, he made his conclusion inescapable — and transformed himself into a national figure.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 4 — Cooper Union: Lincoln the Logician
Lincoln’s 1860 Cooper Union speech made his presidency possible. By calmly proving that the Founders supported restricting slavery, he made his conclusion inescapable — and transformed himself into a national figure.
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 3 — Thinking Anew (Annual Message, 1862)
In 1862, Lincoln warned that:
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.”
To save the country, Americans had to “think anew” — and free themselves from past traditions and outdated habits.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 3 — Thinking Anew (Annual Message, 1862)
In 1862, Lincoln warned that:
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.”
To save the country, Americans had to “think anew” — and free themselves from past traditions and outdated habits.
#CivilWarHistory
February 3, 2026 at 3:14 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 3 — Thinking Anew (Annual Message, 1862)
In 1862, Lincoln warned that:
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.”
To save the country, Americans had to “think anew” — and free themselves from past traditions and outdated habits.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 3 — Thinking Anew (Annual Message, 1862)
In 1862, Lincoln warned that:
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.”
To save the country, Americans had to “think anew” — and free themselves from past traditions and outdated habits.
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 2 — Public Sentiment
In an 1861 letter to Stephen Douglas, Lincoln warned that “Public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.” Lincoln understood that no policy can succeed without the support of the public.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 2 — Public Sentiment
In an 1861 letter to Stephen Douglas, Lincoln warned that “Public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.” Lincoln understood that no policy can succeed without the support of the public.
#CivilWarHistory
February 2, 2026 at 10:43 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 2 — Public Sentiment
In an 1861 letter to Stephen Douglas, Lincoln warned that “Public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.” Lincoln understood that no policy can succeed without the support of the public.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 2 — Public Sentiment
In an 1861 letter to Stephen Douglas, Lincoln warned that “Public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.” Lincoln understood that no policy can succeed without the support of the public.
#CivilWarHistory
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 1 — Lincoln and Power
In an 1858 letter to his law partner William Herndon, Lincoln warned that adversity builds character — but power tests it. In an era of celebrity politics and constant amplification, the warning feels uncannily modern.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 1 — Lincoln and Power
In an 1858 letter to his law partner William Herndon, Lincoln warned that adversity builds character — but power tests it. In an era of celebrity politics and constant amplification, the warning feels uncannily modern.
#CivilWarHistory
February 1, 2026 at 4:56 PM
12 Days of Lincoln
Day 1 — Lincoln and Power
In an 1858 letter to his law partner William Herndon, Lincoln warned that adversity builds character — but power tests it. In an era of celebrity politics and constant amplification, the warning feels uncannily modern.
#CivilWarHistory
Day 1 — Lincoln and Power
In an 1858 letter to his law partner William Herndon, Lincoln warned that adversity builds character — but power tests it. In an era of celebrity politics and constant amplification, the warning feels uncannily modern.
#CivilWarHistory
Here begins my "12 Days of Lincoln" tribute to our nation's 16th President to commemorate the 217th anniversary of his birth. Each day, I’ll highlight a different Lincoln quote or factoid, ending on his February 12th birthday.
February 1, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Here begins my "12 Days of Lincoln" tribute to our nation's 16th President to commemorate the 217th anniversary of his birth. Each day, I’ll highlight a different Lincoln quote or factoid, ending on his February 12th birthday.
Tonight (Jan. 30), the waxing gibbous Moon will be near Jupiter all night. If you have a clear sky, step outside and have a look. The cold air and beauty of the night sky will do you good! SkySafari rendering. #astronomy
January 30, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Tonight (Jan. 30), the waxing gibbous Moon will be near Jupiter all night. If you have a clear sky, step outside and have a look. The cold air and beauty of the night sky will do you good! SkySafari rendering. #astronomy
2026 Sky Highlight #9: The night of December 23-24 will feature the largest Full Moon of 2026, which will appear 15% larger than the smallest full moon that occurs on the night of May 30-31. December’s “SuperMoon” will also be the largest Full Moon since January of 2023! #astronomy
January 29, 2026 at 4:02 PM
2026 Sky Highlight #9: The night of December 23-24 will feature the largest Full Moon of 2026, which will appear 15% larger than the smallest full moon that occurs on the night of May 30-31. December’s “SuperMoon” will also be the largest Full Moon since January of 2023! #astronomy
40 years ago today, the world was rocked by the tragic loss of Challenger. I was performing a planetarium show to a school group at the Cernan Earth & Space Center at the time. In the days that followed, I made a number of radio and TV appearances to discuss the disaster to a grief-stricken world.
January 28, 2026 at 6:13 PM
40 years ago today, the world was rocked by the tragic loss of Challenger. I was performing a planetarium show to a school group at the Cernan Earth & Space Center at the time. In the days that followed, I made a number of radio and TV appearances to discuss the disaster to a grief-stricken world.
2026 Sky Highlight # 8: Before dawn on Tuesday, October 6th, a rare and lovely celestial event will be visible in much of the U.S. — an occultation of Jupiter and its four large moons by the waning crescent Moon. #astronomy
January 28, 2026 at 3:53 PM
2026 Sky Highlight # 8: Before dawn on Tuesday, October 6th, a rare and lovely celestial event will be visible in much of the U.S. — an occultation of Jupiter and its four large moons by the waning crescent Moon. #astronomy
2026 Sky Highlight #7: Saturn will be closest to Earth on October 4th and remains a fixture in our evening sky through February of 2027. By this time, Saturn’s rings will have opened up considerably since going edge-on in 2025. #astronomy
January 27, 2026 at 4:25 PM
2026 Sky Highlight #7: Saturn will be closest to Earth on October 4th and remains a fixture in our evening sky through February of 2027. By this time, Saturn’s rings will have opened up considerably since going edge-on in 2025. #astronomy
2026 Sky Highlight #6: Late on the evening of August 27th, everyone in the Americas will be able to see a Partial Lunar Eclipse, when 93% of the Moon will be immersed in the Earth’s shadow. Maximum eclipse will occur at 11:14 pm CDT. Best seen in eastern U.S. #astronomy
January 26, 2026 at 5:08 PM
2026 Sky Highlight #6: Late on the evening of August 27th, everyone in the Americas will be able to see a Partial Lunar Eclipse, when 93% of the Moon will be immersed in the Earth’s shadow. Maximum eclipse will occur at 11:14 pm CDT. Best seen in eastern U.S. #astronomy
2026 Sky Highlight #5: This year’s annual Perseid meteor shower on the night of August 12-13 coincides with the New Moon. That makes 2026 a great year to travel to a dark site, set up a comfortable chaise lounge, and wait patiently for meteors to appear anywhere in the sky overhead. #astronomy
January 25, 2026 at 5:15 PM
2026 Sky Highlight #5: This year’s annual Perseid meteor shower on the night of August 12-13 coincides with the New Moon. That makes 2026 a great year to travel to a dark site, set up a comfortable chaise lounge, and wait patiently for meteors to appear anywhere in the sky overhead. #astronomy
2026 Sky Highlight #4: On Wednesday, August 12th, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from Canada and the northeastern U.S. In the north Atlantic, a Total Solar Eclipse will be visible along a narrow path extending from Greenland to near Iceland to Spain. Good luck, eclipse chasers! #astronomy
January 24, 2026 at 5:42 PM
2026 Sky Highlight #4: On Wednesday, August 12th, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from Canada and the northeastern U.S. In the north Atlantic, a Total Solar Eclipse will be visible along a narrow path extending from Greenland to near Iceland to Spain. Good luck, eclipse chasers! #astronomy
2026 Sky Highlight #3: Before dawn on Tuesday, March 3rd, there will be a Total Lunar Eclipse, best seen in western North America. Bathed in the coppery shadow of the Earth, an eclipsed moon can be enjoyed with the naked eye, but it’s better seen with a pair of binoculars. #astronomy
January 23, 2026 at 6:05 PM
2026 Sky Highlight #3: Before dawn on Tuesday, March 3rd, there will be a Total Lunar Eclipse, best seen in western North America. Bathed in the coppery shadow of the Earth, an eclipsed moon can be enjoyed with the naked eye, but it’s better seen with a pair of binoculars. #astronomy