Becka Phillipson
@beckastrosaurus.bsky.social
Astro/Physicist @Villanova | Philadelphia, PA | research in nonlinear dynamics, accreting compact objects, and wacky time-varying phenomena
any views are my own and not of my employer :) stuff and things
any views are my own and not of my employer :) stuff and things
I am hiring a postdoc to work with me on time domain astrophysics, primarily in prep for Rubin LSST. Job ad here: lnkd.in/esamU7gy
Please share! :)
Start date is flexible & can be as early as this Fall. There have been Q's about the application portal, so do not hesitate to email me for help!
Please share! :)
Start date is flexible & can be as early as this Fall. There have been Q's about the application portal, so do not hesitate to email me for help!
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
July 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I am hiring a postdoc to work with me on time domain astrophysics, primarily in prep for Rubin LSST. Job ad here: lnkd.in/esamU7gy
Please share! :)
Start date is flexible & can be as early as this Fall. There have been Q's about the application portal, so do not hesitate to email me for help!
Please share! :)
Start date is flexible & can be as early as this Fall. There have been Q's about the application portal, so do not hesitate to email me for help!
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
#WallpaperWednesday: #RubinFirstLook edition 🤩
Need a new phone background? Loved the first images from NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory?
We've got you! Save one of these to use, set it, and enjoy the cosmos captured by Rubin every time you use your phone 🌌🔭🧪
Need a new phone background? Loved the first images from NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory?
We've got you! Save one of these to use, set it, and enjoy the cosmos captured by Rubin every time you use your phone 🌌🔭🧪
July 2, 2025 at 10:41 PM
#WallpaperWednesday: #RubinFirstLook edition 🤩
Need a new phone background? Loved the first images from NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory?
We've got you! Save one of these to use, set it, and enjoy the cosmos captured by Rubin every time you use your phone 🌌🔭🧪
Need a new phone background? Loved the first images from NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory?
We've got you! Save one of these to use, set it, and enjoy the cosmos captured by Rubin every time you use your phone 🌌🔭🧪
I was also a Jenkins fellow during my PhD, and it undoubtedly helped launch my research independence as well. The bottom line: more diverse avenues for opportunities = more people engaged in STEM.
I was cleaning up my grad-school pile that hasn't been touched for years and found this gem: a beautifully framed recognition for my NASA Harriett G. Jenkins Pre-doctoral Fellowship.
Who was Harriett G. Jenkins and what was this fellowship, you may ask? 1/
Who was Harriett G. Jenkins and what was this fellowship, you may ask? 1/
July 3, 2025 at 4:14 AM
I was also a Jenkins fellow during my PhD, and it undoubtedly helped launch my research independence as well. The bottom line: more diverse avenues for opportunities = more people engaged in STEM.
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
I just got an email saying the embargo is lifted, so here's the full @vrubinobs.bsky.social press release: noirlab.edu/public/news/...
Ever-changing Universe Revealed in First Imagery From NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory - From distant stars and galaxies to asteroids whizzing through the Solar System, this next-generation facility ...
Ever-changing Universe Revealed in First Imagery From NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory
noirlab.edu
June 23, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I just got an email saying the embargo is lifted, so here's the full @vrubinobs.bsky.social press release: noirlab.edu/public/news/...
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
My mind is absolutely blown by these stellar halos nearby NGC 4364!
Left: DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys (DR10)
Right: Newly released @vrubinobs.bsky.social imaging!!!
#AstroSci 🧪🔭
Left: DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys (DR10)
Right: Newly released @vrubinobs.bsky.social imaging!!!
#AstroSci 🧪🔭
June 23, 2025 at 6:07 PM
My mind is absolutely blown by these stellar halos nearby NGC 4364!
Left: DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys (DR10)
Right: Newly released @vrubinobs.bsky.social imaging!!!
#AstroSci 🧪🔭
Left: DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys (DR10)
Right: Newly released @vrubinobs.bsky.social imaging!!!
#AstroSci 🧪🔭
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
Here it is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIJf...
Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae - VIDEO - EN
YouTube video by Rubin Observatory
www.youtube.com
June 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Here it is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIJf...
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
Introducing...your sneak peek at the cosmos captured by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory!
Can you guess these regions of sky?
This is just a small peek...join us at 11am US EDT for your full First Look at how Rubin will #CaptureTheCosmos! 🔭🧪
#RubinFirstLook
ls.st/rubin-first-look-livestream
Can you guess these regions of sky?
This is just a small peek...join us at 11am US EDT for your full First Look at how Rubin will #CaptureTheCosmos! 🔭🧪
#RubinFirstLook
ls.st/rubin-first-look-livestream
June 23, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Introducing...your sneak peek at the cosmos captured by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory!
Can you guess these regions of sky?
This is just a small peek...join us at 11am US EDT for your full First Look at how Rubin will #CaptureTheCosmos! 🔭🧪
#RubinFirstLook
ls.st/rubin-first-look-livestream
Can you guess these regions of sky?
This is just a small peek...join us at 11am US EDT for your full First Look at how Rubin will #CaptureTheCosmos! 🔭🧪
#RubinFirstLook
ls.st/rubin-first-look-livestream
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
Want to see NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory's Cosmic Treasure Chest for yourself?
Explore using Rubin's Skyviewer! There are billions of pixels to explore, and you might be the the first to lay eyes on a small, distant galaxy! #RubinFirstLook #CaptureTheCosmos
skyviewer.app
Explore using Rubin's Skyviewer! There are billions of pixels to explore, and you might be the the first to lay eyes on a small, distant galaxy! #RubinFirstLook #CaptureTheCosmos
skyviewer.app
Skyviewer
skyviewer.app
June 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Want to see NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory's Cosmic Treasure Chest for yourself?
Explore using Rubin's Skyviewer! There are billions of pixels to explore, and you might be the the first to lay eyes on a small, distant galaxy! #RubinFirstLook #CaptureTheCosmos
skyviewer.app
Explore using Rubin's Skyviewer! There are billions of pixels to explore, and you might be the the first to lay eyes on a small, distant galaxy! #RubinFirstLook #CaptureTheCosmos
skyviewer.app
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
Next year’s incoming college freshmen were born after I got paired with this project 18 years ago.
The effects of suffocating this and other projects today will erase generations of scientists in the US going forward. 🧪🔭
The effects of suffocating this and other projects today will erase generations of scientists in the US going forward. 🧪🔭
June 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Next year’s incoming college freshmen were born after I got paired with this project 18 years ago.
The effects of suffocating this and other projects today will erase generations of scientists in the US going forward. 🧪🔭
The effects of suffocating this and other projects today will erase generations of scientists in the US going forward. 🧪🔭
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
MAJOR PARTICLE PHYSICS REPORT RELEASE ⚛️🧪
The National Academies particle physics decadal report is out! Read read!
(I was a member of the committee that wrote this report but resigned during drafting bc of a conflict of service w/my HEPAP appointment.)
nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/2883...
The National Academies particle physics decadal report is out! Read read!
(I was a member of the committee that wrote this report but resigned during drafting bc of a conflict of service w/my HEPAP appointment.)
nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/2883...
Elementary Particle Physics: The Higgs and Beyond
Read online, download a free PDF, or order a copy in print.
nap.nationalacademies.org
June 11, 2025 at 3:26 PM
MAJOR PARTICLE PHYSICS REPORT RELEASE ⚛️🧪
The National Academies particle physics decadal report is out! Read read!
(I was a member of the committee that wrote this report but resigned during drafting bc of a conflict of service w/my HEPAP appointment.)
nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/2883...
The National Academies particle physics decadal report is out! Read read!
(I was a member of the committee that wrote this report but resigned during drafting bc of a conflict of service w/my HEPAP appointment.)
nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/2883...
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
Did you know YOU will be able to work on NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory data in your free time as a volunteer scientist?🔭🧪
We've partnered with the Zooniverse, a platform where researchers build projects for volunteer scientists. Find out more at rubinobservatory.org/explore/citizen-science
📷: B. Quint
We've partnered with the Zooniverse, a platform where researchers build projects for volunteer scientists. Find out more at rubinobservatory.org/explore/citizen-science
📷: B. Quint
June 7, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Did you know YOU will be able to work on NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory data in your free time as a volunteer scientist?🔭🧪
We've partnered with the Zooniverse, a platform where researchers build projects for volunteer scientists. Find out more at rubinobservatory.org/explore/citizen-science
📷: B. Quint
We've partnered with the Zooniverse, a platform where researchers build projects for volunteer scientists. Find out more at rubinobservatory.org/explore/citizen-science
📷: B. Quint
Rep Lofgren: “This sick joke of a budget is a nonstarter" - No truer words.
This Budget Plan Would Devastate U.S. Space Science
Scientists are rallying to reverse ruinous proposed cuts to both NASA and the National Science Foundation
www.scientificamerican.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Rep Lofgren: “This sick joke of a budget is a nonstarter" - No truer words.
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
"For every $100 the US government spent, it put 40¢ in the bucket for NASA. And what do we get for that?
✨The Universe ✨"
"One of these bills represents, to scale, the federal budget & the other with NASA’s total budget trimmed off the edges. Can you tell the difference?" @philplait.bsky.social
✨The Universe ✨"
"One of these bills represents, to scale, the federal budget & the other with NASA’s total budget trimmed off the edges. Can you tell the difference?" @philplait.bsky.social
June 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"For every $100 the US government spent, it put 40¢ in the bucket for NASA. And what do we get for that?
✨The Universe ✨"
"One of these bills represents, to scale, the federal budget & the other with NASA’s total budget trimmed off the edges. Can you tell the difference?" @philplait.bsky.social
✨The Universe ✨"
"One of these bills represents, to scale, the federal budget & the other with NASA’s total budget trimmed off the edges. Can you tell the difference?" @philplait.bsky.social
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
Yes, the proposed NASA & NSF cuts would shutter many high-priority next-gen US astro facilities. But even more importantly, the proposed budget surgically targets & eliminates the pathways for training & employing the people req'd to get science out of the facilities we can still afford to complete.
Dennis Overbye considers the many ways in which proposed cuts to NASA and other science funders will close our eyes to the cosmos. Gift link: nyti.ms/4n09fiD
Scientific Dreams in the Balance (Gift Article)
Research breakthroughs are often sagas of passion, curiosity and sacrifice. If Trump’s proposed budget cuts for 2026 are enacted, many such journeys may never get started.
nyti.ms
June 2, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Yes, the proposed NASA & NSF cuts would shutter many high-priority next-gen US astro facilities. But even more importantly, the proposed budget surgically targets & eliminates the pathways for training & employing the people req'd to get science out of the facilities we can still afford to complete.
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
Briefly wandered over to The Other Place to gauge the response to the NASA budget devastation to encounter a bunch of gleeful 'we spend too much money, so this is great.'
TO BE, ONCE AGAIN, PERFECTLY CLEAR, THE BUDGET REQUEST MOVES ALL THIS MONEY TO DEFENSE. IT SPENDS IT. NO MONEY IS SAVED.
TO BE, ONCE AGAIN, PERFECTLY CLEAR, THE BUDGET REQUEST MOVES ALL THIS MONEY TO DEFENSE. IT SPENDS IT. NO MONEY IS SAVED.
June 1, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Briefly wandered over to The Other Place to gauge the response to the NASA budget devastation to encounter a bunch of gleeful 'we spend too much money, so this is great.'
TO BE, ONCE AGAIN, PERFECTLY CLEAR, THE BUDGET REQUEST MOVES ALL THIS MONEY TO DEFENSE. IT SPENDS IT. NO MONEY IS SAVED.
TO BE, ONCE AGAIN, PERFECTLY CLEAR, THE BUDGET REQUEST MOVES ALL THIS MONEY TO DEFENSE. IT SPENDS IT. NO MONEY IS SAVED.
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
Cutting $20 billion to NIH over 25 years may save $500 billion on paper, but it’d end up costing $8.2 trillion in lost human health.
But NIH isn't the only thing being cut. The budget also slashes all NSF-funded science by 73 percent. NASA faces “the biggest single-year cut to NASA in history."
But NIH isn't the only thing being cut. The budget also slashes all NSF-funded science by 73 percent. NASA faces “the biggest single-year cut to NASA in history."
Donald Trump’s proposed budget would gut American science
It would slash cancer research, drug trials, space exploration, and so much more.
www.motherjones.com
May 31, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Cutting $20 billion to NIH over 25 years may save $500 billion on paper, but it’d end up costing $8.2 trillion in lost human health.
But NIH isn't the only thing being cut. The budget also slashes all NSF-funded science by 73 percent. NASA faces “the biggest single-year cut to NASA in history."
But NIH isn't the only thing being cut. The budget also slashes all NSF-funded science by 73 percent. NASA faces “the biggest single-year cut to NASA in history."
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
There's a lot to unpack in the president's FY26 requested #NASA budget, but the near zeroing of the physics of the cosmos program (from $196M to $1.5M) is especially bleak. If passed, the future of high-energy astrophysics is not in the US. 🔭
May 31, 2025 at 11:12 PM
There's a lot to unpack in the president's FY26 requested #NASA budget, but the near zeroing of the physics of the cosmos program (from $196M to $1.5M) is especially bleak. If passed, the future of high-energy astrophysics is not in the US. 🔭
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
something that stands out about this is just how cheap it is for us to have world-leading scientific capacity
we spent ~6.75 trillion last year, and the combined budgets for NIH, NSF and NASA are barely more than 1% of that
what an incredible waste to lose it all for a drop in the bucket
we spent ~6.75 trillion last year, and the combined budgets for NIH, NSF and NASA are barely more than 1% of that
what an incredible waste to lose it all for a drop in the bucket
There are 2 previous historical cases of countries destroying their science and universities, crippling them for decades: Lysenkoism in the USSR and Nazi Germany. The Trump administration will be the 3rd.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
May 31, 2025 at 4:19 PM
something that stands out about this is just how cheap it is for us to have world-leading scientific capacity
we spent ~6.75 trillion last year, and the combined budgets for NIH, NSF and NASA are barely more than 1% of that
what an incredible waste to lose it all for a drop in the bucket
we spent ~6.75 trillion last year, and the combined budgets for NIH, NSF and NASA are barely more than 1% of that
what an incredible waste to lose it all for a drop in the bucket
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
Following the inspiration of @ohdearz.bsky.social @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social @jtuttlekeane.bsky.social here’s the NASA fleet with the proposed budget cuts. Red X’s will be fully defunded, green X’s will lose all NASA funding but have other funding sources, and exclamation point means >50% cuts
May 31, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Following the inspiration of @ohdearz.bsky.social @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social @jtuttlekeane.bsky.social here’s the NASA fleet with the proposed budget cuts. Red X’s will be fully defunded, green X’s will lose all NASA funding but have other funding sources, and exclamation point means >50% cuts
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
May 31, 2025 at 4:34 AM
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Lots of neat anecdotes in this article for fellow ADHDers :)
Researchers with ADHD discuss its peaks and valleys and how they structure their work lives to succeed
https://go.nature.com/3FitQh4
https://go.nature.com/3FitQh4
Scientists with ADHD speak up: when fire meets focus
Nature - Researchers with ADHD discuss its peaks and valleys and how they structure their work lives to succeed.
go.nature.com
May 31, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Lots of neat anecdotes in this article for fellow ADHDers :)
Reposted by Becka Phillipson
How bad will it be? Catastrophic.
Proposed cuts to #NSF, #NIH, and #NASA will set the US R&D landscape back 25 yrs+, cause economic and job loss now, and undermine innovations to come.
But, this is the WH's *proposed* budget.
Speak up now before it is too late.
(inflation adjusted $-s below)
Proposed cuts to #NSF, #NIH, and #NASA will set the US R&D landscape back 25 yrs+, cause economic and job loss now, and undermine innovations to come.
But, this is the WH's *proposed* budget.
Speak up now before it is too late.
(inflation adjusted $-s below)
May 31, 2025 at 2:50 AM