Michael Battalio
@battalio.com
Research Scientist at Yale studying planetary climates
Pinned
Michael Battalio
@battalio.com
· Nov 11
Intro thread: I’m a #climate and #planetary scientist. I try to find atmospheric processes common across planets. I interpret each planet as an instance on a continuum of possible climates. Without exception, I’ve found that cool stuff that happens on one has parallels to help interpret the others.
Only well-off AAAS fellows are "ok"; the rest of us aren't.
If the science minibus passes, the decimation remains. Colette notes NIH ECRs are crushed. NCAR is not explicitly protected. Money won't arrive before a 5% grant success rate at NASA planetary forces more ECRs out after the 20% NASA RIF.
If the science minibus passes, the decimation remains. Colette notes NIH ECRs are crushed. NCAR is not explicitly protected. Money won't arrive before a 5% grant success rate at NASA planetary forces more ECRs out after the 20% NASA RIF.
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Only well-off AAAS fellows are "ok"; the rest of us aren't.
If the science minibus passes, the decimation remains. Colette notes NIH ECRs are crushed. NCAR is not explicitly protected. Money won't arrive before a 5% grant success rate at NASA planetary forces more ECRs out after the 20% NASA RIF.
If the science minibus passes, the decimation remains. Colette notes NIH ECRs are crushed. NCAR is not explicitly protected. Money won't arrive before a 5% grant success rate at NASA planetary forces more ECRs out after the 20% NASA RIF.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Keeping funding levels high while installing apparatchiks to steer it in political favored directions will fund at least as much corruption as it will science.
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Keeping funding levels high while installing apparatchiks to steer it in political favored directions will fund at least as much corruption as it will science.
I think this is a terrific idea, and I've already registered. I'll see everyone in April.
I've been to this venue for Exoplanets in our Backyard a few years ago. It is an excellent locale with views overlooking the Ohio River.
I've been to this venue for Exoplanets in our Backyard a few years ago. It is an excellent locale with views overlooking the Ohio River.
Planetary friends!
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
PSCW 2026
planetaryworkshop.org
January 9, 2026 at 2:42 AM
I think this is a terrific idea, and I've already registered. I'll see everyone in April.
I've been to this venue for Exoplanets in our Backyard a few years ago. It is an excellent locale with views overlooking the Ohio River.
I've been to this venue for Exoplanets in our Backyard a few years ago. It is an excellent locale with views overlooking the Ohio River.
Just registered to attend.
🚨🚀🚨 NEW SPACE CONFERENCE ALERT 🚨🚀🚨
The Planetary Science Community Workshop, organized by @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social & @millionconcepts.com, will be held in Louisville, KY on April 14-16 and is aimed at bringing together academia, industry & gov.
More here: planetaryworkshop.org
The Planetary Science Community Workshop, organized by @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social & @millionconcepts.com, will be held in Louisville, KY on April 14-16 and is aimed at bringing together academia, industry & gov.
More here: planetaryworkshop.org
PSCW 2026
planetaryworkshop.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Just registered to attend.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
🚨🚀🚨 NEW SPACE CONFERENCE ALERT 🚨🚀🚨
The Planetary Science Community Workshop, organized by @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social & @millionconcepts.com, will be held in Louisville, KY on April 14-16 and is aimed at bringing together academia, industry & gov.
More here: planetaryworkshop.org
The Planetary Science Community Workshop, organized by @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social & @millionconcepts.com, will be held in Louisville, KY on April 14-16 and is aimed at bringing together academia, industry & gov.
More here: planetaryworkshop.org
PSCW 2026
planetaryworkshop.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:16 PM
🚨🚀🚨 NEW SPACE CONFERENCE ALERT 🚨🚀🚨
The Planetary Science Community Workshop, organized by @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social & @millionconcepts.com, will be held in Louisville, KY on April 14-16 and is aimed at bringing together academia, industry & gov.
More here: planetaryworkshop.org
The Planetary Science Community Workshop, organized by @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social & @millionconcepts.com, will be held in Louisville, KY on April 14-16 and is aimed at bringing together academia, industry & gov.
More here: planetaryworkshop.org
"A lineage of interplanetary robotic explorers that NASA has built across almost 60 years, for about $60 billion. That’s less than what Mark Zuckerberg spent on his struggling metaverse."
To be exact, metaverse was $77 billion and was canceled.
To be exact, metaverse was $77 billion and was canceled.
I wrote about the cosmic grandeur of American space science and this president’s foolish attempts to sabotage it
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Inside Donald Trump’s Attack on NASA’s Science Missions
During his first year back in office, the president tried to bring America’s age of discovery to an end.
www.theatlantic.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:54 PM
"A lineage of interplanetary robotic explorers that NASA has built across almost 60 years, for about $60 billion. That’s less than what Mark Zuckerberg spent on his struggling metaverse."
To be exact, metaverse was $77 billion and was canceled.
To be exact, metaverse was $77 billion and was canceled.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Avelo Airlines will stop flying deportation charters for the Department of Homeland Security after facing protests, boycotts and backlash from travelers, flight attendant unions, local politicians and immigration activists.
Avelo Airlines to stop deportation flights after months of backlash
Houston-based Avelo is shutting down its base in Arizona after facing protests and boycotts for flying deportation charters for Homeland Security.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Avelo Airlines will stop flying deportation charters for the Department of Homeland Security after facing protests, boycotts and backlash from travelers, flight attendant unions, local politicians and immigration activists.
I wonder how feasible it would be to pass a law to give an impeachment teeth by requiring that House impeachment of a Senate-confirmed Executive branch officer requires Senate reconfirmation or removal in 30 (or some number) days. Instead of making removal active, make it passive by the Senate.
I am impeaching Secretary Kristi Noem, who is an incompetent leader and a disgrace to our democracy.
She wreaked havoc in the Chicagoland area and has brought her reign of terror to Minneapolis. One of her rogue ICE agents shot and killed an innocent woman today. It must come to an end.
She wreaked havoc in the Chicagoland area and has brought her reign of terror to Minneapolis. One of her rogue ICE agents shot and killed an innocent woman today. It must come to an end.
January 8, 2026 at 1:32 AM
I wonder how feasible it would be to pass a law to give an impeachment teeth by requiring that House impeachment of a Senate-confirmed Executive branch officer requires Senate reconfirmation or removal in 30 (or some number) days. Instead of making removal active, make it passive by the Senate.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
The “prosecute the former regime at every level” candidate has my vote in 2028.
January 7, 2026 at 8:26 PM
The “prosecute the former regime at every level” candidate has my vote in 2028.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
if you need it in nursery rhyme form:
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence
It’s report, oppose, or silence
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence
It’s report, oppose, or silence
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
Anecdotal, but I'm definitely noticing an uptick in advocacy for violence here. About which I'll say only this: Promoting violence on social media is the work of trolls and fools, those eager to bait others into implicating themselves in the age of surveillance or fools rushing to the gulag.
January 7, 2026 at 9:18 PM
if you need it in nursery rhyme form:
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence
It’s report, oppose, or silence
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
If they’re advocating violence
It’s report, oppose, or silence
If they’re advocating violence it’s a Fed 👏👏
It was a murder. A murderer decided he wanted to murder someone today and then did. There is no ambiguity or whataboutism; case law is clear that someone not a danger to others that is running away cannot be shot at. You do not have to be prosecutor or lawyer to recognize and understand this.
January 7, 2026 at 8:31 PM
It was a murder. A murderer decided he wanted to murder someone today and then did. There is no ambiguity or whataboutism; case law is clear that someone not a danger to others that is running away cannot be shot at. You do not have to be prosecutor or lawyer to recognize and understand this.
A verbal order to "get out of the fucking car" is irrelevant. The officers were not in danger. The person was driving away. This is murder; there is no ambiguity.
This is the video.
January 7, 2026 at 6:06 PM
A verbal order to "get out of the fucking car" is irrelevant. The officers were not in danger. The person was driving away. This is murder; there is no ambiguity.
We cannot tax Musk into oblivion fast enough. The guy is just evil.
Heavily-armed, out-of-control government militias are roaming the streets of US cities terrorizing citizens, and Elon Musk is totally here for it. Look at this Musk tweet:
January 7, 2026 at 6:04 PM
We cannot tax Musk into oblivion fast enough. The guy is just evil.
Amazing to see this move quickly. It's inspiring to see people at my career stage move into leadership roles. I served on a panel with Dr. Arney 7 or 8 years ago as a postdoc, and I remember being so impressed by her knowledge and drive. She is the perfect person to lead HWO as project scientist.
NASA seeks to accelerate development of Habitable Worlds Observatory
NASA is ramping up work on its next flagship space telescope while also laying the groundwork for future observatories.
NASA is ramping up work on its next flagship space telescope while also laying the groundwork for future observatories.
NASA seeks to accelerate development of Habitable Worlds Observatory
NASA is ramping up work on its next flagship space telescope while also laying the groundwork for future observatories.
spacenews.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Amazing to see this move quickly. It's inspiring to see people at my career stage move into leadership roles. I served on a panel with Dr. Arney 7 or 8 years ago as a postdoc, and I remember being so impressed by her knowledge and drive. She is the perfect person to lead HWO as project scientist.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
I'm excited to announce the official Nullschool app is here!
earth.nullschool.net on mobile browsers works fine, but the app is nicer. Full screen display, persistence across sessions, text size that matches device settings. Even landscape works well.
And, like the website: no ads!
Links below ⬇️
earth.nullschool.net on mobile browsers works fine, but the app is nicer. Full screen display, persistence across sessions, text size that matches device settings. Even landscape works well.
And, like the website: no ads!
Links below ⬇️
January 7, 2026 at 3:12 PM
I'm excited to announce the official Nullschool app is here!
earth.nullschool.net on mobile browsers works fine, but the app is nicer. Full screen display, persistence across sessions, text size that matches device settings. Even landscape works well.
And, like the website: no ads!
Links below ⬇️
earth.nullschool.net on mobile browsers works fine, but the app is nicer. Full screen display, persistence across sessions, text size that matches device settings. Even landscape works well.
And, like the website: no ads!
Links below ⬇️
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Just a reminder to everyone looking at the congressional budget and seeing $24b for NASA:
No, everything is not just fine.
NASA is not just space and science, it's also people. And more than 4000 of those people, out of over 17000 at the start of 2025, are now gone.
It will take years to recover.
No, everything is not just fine.
NASA is not just space and science, it's also people. And more than 4000 of those people, out of over 17000 at the start of 2025, are now gone.
It will take years to recover.
January 7, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Just a reminder to everyone looking at the congressional budget and seeing $24b for NASA:
No, everything is not just fine.
NASA is not just space and science, it's also people. And more than 4000 of those people, out of over 17000 at the start of 2025, are now gone.
It will take years to recover.
No, everything is not just fine.
NASA is not just space and science, it's also people. And more than 4000 of those people, out of over 17000 at the start of 2025, are now gone.
It will take years to recover.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Our #MarsExpress has spotted martian winds whipping up sand grains and acting as a cosmic sandblaster, carving our intriguing grooves in the Red Planet's surface.
More info, images and zoom in 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭 🧪
More info, images and zoom in 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭 🧪
January 7, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Our #MarsExpress has spotted martian winds whipping up sand grains and acting as a cosmic sandblaster, carving our intriguing grooves in the Red Planet's surface.
More info, images and zoom in 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭 🧪
More info, images and zoom in 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭 🧪
Reposted by Michael Battalio
I am pretty well into a script titled "you are being misled about renewable energy"
Not gonna pull out studies. Don't need to go over climate change.
Just a simple, plain conversation where we look at the realities of renewables vs. fossil fuels and I say "stop letting Republicans lie to you"
Not gonna pull out studies. Don't need to go over climate change.
Just a simple, plain conversation where we look at the realities of renewables vs. fossil fuels and I say "stop letting Republicans lie to you"
January 7, 2026 at 2:33 AM
I am pretty well into a script titled "you are being misled about renewable energy"
Not gonna pull out studies. Don't need to go over climate change.
Just a simple, plain conversation where we look at the realities of renewables vs. fossil fuels and I say "stop letting Republicans lie to you"
Not gonna pull out studies. Don't need to go over climate change.
Just a simple, plain conversation where we look at the realities of renewables vs. fossil fuels and I say "stop letting Republicans lie to you"
Reposted by Michael Battalio
My latest: The compromise spending bill is mostly full of good news for NASA science. But there is one off note: Mars Sample Return, as it's been currently devised, has no way forward.
NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission is dead
Congress backs Trump administration’s efforts to kill project that would ferry martian rocks to Earth
www.science.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:00 AM
My latest: The compromise spending bill is mostly full of good news for NASA science. But there is one off note: Mars Sample Return, as it's been currently devised, has no way forward.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
The unstated cliff for soft money people is that the new S3 isn't just one program. In planetary, it is basically the *only* funding program now. A few years ago, the previously biggest program, Solar System Workings, had a couple of years of ~<10% because the program officers "borrowed"
cont. /1
cont. /1
555 proposals so far for NASA PSD's new S^3 program that consolidates most planetary science research funding. I expect the third "spike" to be higher. (Procrastination FTW.) 800+ proposals would not surprise me. Program will fund <55, for a 7% success rate. Unsustainable is an understatement.
January 6, 2026 at 5:28 PM
The unstated cliff for soft money people is that the new S3 isn't just one program. In planetary, it is basically the *only* funding program now. A few years ago, the previously biggest program, Solar System Workings, had a couple of years of ~<10% because the program officers "borrowed"
cont. /1
cont. /1
Reposted by Michael Battalio
555 proposals so far for NASA PSD's new S^3 program that consolidates most planetary science research funding. I expect the third "spike" to be higher. (Procrastination FTW.) 800+ proposals would not surprise me. Program will fund <55, for a 7% success rate. Unsustainable is an understatement.
January 6, 2026 at 2:49 PM
555 proposals so far for NASA PSD's new S^3 program that consolidates most planetary science research funding. I expect the third "spike" to be higher. (Procrastination FTW.) 800+ proposals would not surprise me. Program will fund <55, for a 7% success rate. Unsustainable is an understatement.
Reposted by Michael Battalio
Breaking: House releases FY26 budget directive doc for science agencies. Rejects elimination of NOAA Research, but moves key Wx research programs including phased array radar to NWS. Also directs NOAA to report on need for new “extreme weather” federal R&D center. open.substack.com/pub/balanced...
Breaking News: House FY2026 science budget explanatory statement released
Now that the holidays are in the rear view mirror, Congress is working again on the budget for those agencies and departments that still do not have a Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Breaking: House releases FY26 budget directive doc for science agencies. Rejects elimination of NOAA Research, but moves key Wx research programs including phased array radar to NWS. Also directs NOAA to report on need for new “extreme weather” federal R&D center. open.substack.com/pub/balanced...
Reposted by Michael Battalio
I come back from my winter PTO and day one Congress drops the text of a minibus. The dashboard has been updated with the Senate Homeland numbers, and all the info in the CJS-Int-E&W minibus. A House vote is scheduled tomorrow night, and Senate likely later this week.
www.aaas.org/news/fy-2026...
www.aaas.org/news/fy-2026...
FY 2026 R&D Appropriations Dashboard | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
www.aaas.org
January 5, 2026 at 6:10 PM
I come back from my winter PTO and day one Congress drops the text of a minibus. The dashboard has been updated with the Senate Homeland numbers, and all the info in the CJS-Int-E&W minibus. A House vote is scheduled tomorrow night, and Senate likely later this week.
www.aaas.org/news/fy-2026...
www.aaas.org/news/fy-2026...
Also the NSF Research budget is exactly flat from FY 25 at $7.1765b (pg 61).
NSF, NOAA ($6.2B, pg. 18-19), NASA science ($7.3B, pg. 53) very close to Senate versions; we are not out of the woods for US Science but in a better position. Inundate your Rep and Senate offices in support of this.
NSF, NOAA ($6.2B, pg. 18-19), NASA science ($7.3B, pg. 53) very close to Senate versions; we are not out of the woods for US Science but in a better position. Inundate your Rep and Senate offices in support of this.
January 5, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Also the NSF Research budget is exactly flat from FY 25 at $7.1765b (pg 61).
NSF, NOAA ($6.2B, pg. 18-19), NASA science ($7.3B, pg. 53) very close to Senate versions; we are not out of the woods for US Science but in a better position. Inundate your Rep and Senate offices in support of this.
NSF, NOAA ($6.2B, pg. 18-19), NASA science ($7.3B, pg. 53) very close to Senate versions; we are not out of the woods for US Science but in a better position. Inundate your Rep and Senate offices in support of this.