Bruce Macintosh
@bmacastro.bsky.social
Astronomer working on imaging extrasolar planets, instrumentation, and science policy. Spare time involves hiking with a golden retriever, and not playing enough boardgames.
Director, University of California Observatories, but opinions are my own. He/him
Director, University of California Observatories, but opinions are my own. He/him
Pinned
Prompted by this and a need for distraction I Did Some Math. Turns out most extrasolar planets are quite cauliflower-compatible. A thread, with citations. And laboratory astrophysics. And footnotes.
Interesting paper on requirements for undergraduate astronomy degrees and how non-uniform they are, and how this impacts students with these degrees: arxiv.org/abs/2602.03959
The Landscape of Undergraduate Astronomy and Astrophysics Degree Requirements
In this document we summarize the results of a survey of undergraduate degree-granting programs conducted by the 2024-2025 American Astronomical Society Education Committee's Subcommittee on UndeRgrad...
arxiv.org
February 5, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Interesting paper on requirements for undergraduate astronomy degrees and how non-uniform they are, and how this impacts students with these degrees: arxiv.org/abs/2602.03959
Reposted by Bruce Macintosh
Bump on this - looking for an expert specifically on orbital data centres available in the next few hours. If that's you let me know!
Hey space people, I’m looking for experts to comment and provide some insight on SpaceX’s application for a million satellites.
If that’s you drop me a line. Thanks!
jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
If that’s you drop me a line. Thanks!
jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
February 3, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Bump on this - looking for an expert specifically on orbital data centres available in the next few hours. If that's you let me know!
@lickobservatory.bsky.social update: the dome is now sealed! Thanks to the summit staff, contractors, and main-campus staff for an amazing amount of work over the past four months. Now we can catch our breath and plan how to checkout/repair the telescope and the dome.
January 22, 2026 at 6:26 PM
@lickobservatory.bsky.social update: the dome is now sealed! Thanks to the summit staff, contractors, and main-campus staff for an amazing amount of work over the past four months. Now we can catch our breath and plan how to checkout/repair the telescope and the dome.
I am not, as many people know, I am not a naturally optimistic or supportive person, but let me say that this is an impressive concept by some smart people that could do some real science. (More thoughts later when I’ve digested the paper.)
New paper day! arxiv.org/abs/2601.02556 🔭🧪
The Lazuli Space Observatory: Architecture & Capabilities
The Lazuli Space Observatory is a 3-meter aperture astronomical facility designed for rapid-response observations and precision astrophysics across visible to near-infrared wavelengths (400-1700 nm ba...
arxiv.org
January 7, 2026 at 3:16 PM
I am not, as many people know, I am not a naturally optimistic or supportive person, but let me say that this is an impressive concept by some smart people that could do some real science. (More thoughts later when I’ve digested the paper.)
One nice piece of detective work for the Christmas morning shutter failure at Lick - staff astronomer Dr. Elinor Gates (with others) figured out exactly what time the shutter fell down. The first major clue: records from the seismometer in the building. There's a sharp red spike just after 3:16 AM.
January 2, 2026 at 9:43 PM
One nice piece of detective work for the Christmas morning shutter failure at Lick - staff astronomer Dr. Elinor Gates (with others) figured out exactly what time the shutter fell down. The first major clue: records from the seismometer in the building. There's a sharp red spike just after 3:16 AM.
Lick updates: We got a crane up there Friday and the winds dropped enough by Saturday to get the shutter off the roof.
December 29, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Lick updates: We got a crane up there Friday and the winds dropped enough by Saturday to get the shutter off the roof.
In not-very-good news, extreme winds (114 mph gusts) on the early morning of the 25th caused significant damage to the 36" Great Refractor at Lick Observatory. Half of the main shutter broke off and landed on the main building.
December 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
In not-very-good news, extreme winds (114 mph gusts) on the early morning of the 25th caused significant damage to the 36" Great Refractor at Lick Observatory. Half of the main shutter broke off and landed on the main building.
I’m supportive of while mildly skeptical of the various fusion startups - most are smart and sincere but it’s a hard problem and after decades it’s unlikely there’s a easy solution - but nothing says “this is a complete scam” like merging with Trump social media.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
Trump Media announces $6bn merger plan with fusion power company
TMTG, which owns president’s Truth Social platform, unveils link-up TAE Technologies to respond to AI boom
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I’m supportive of while mildly skeptical of the various fusion startups - most are smart and sincere but it’s a hard problem and after decades it’s unlikely there’s a easy solution - but nothing says “this is a complete scam” like merging with Trump social media.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode (no Star Wars or Star Trek, LOTR, Marvel, Disney, or Pixar)
December 8, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode (no Star Wars or Star Trek, LOTR, Marvel, Disney, or Pixar)
This suggests an obvious strategy for modifying Earth's climate cycles and delaying or hastening ice ages by destroying huge chunks of Mars with nuclear weapons or other techniques. I believe @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social would strongly support this.
I'm excited to share my new paper regarding the effect of Mars on the Milankovitch cycles of Earth, and how sensitive those cycles are to the Martian mass. The paper is accepted for publication in PASP and is available here: arxiv.org/abs/2512.02108
The Dependence of Earth Milankovitch Cycles on Martian Mass
The Milankovitch cycles of Earth result from gravitational interactions with other bodies in the Solar System. These interactions lead to slow changes in the orbit and angular momentum vector of Earth...
arxiv.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This suggests an obvious strategy for modifying Earth's climate cycles and delaying or hastening ice ages by destroying huge chunks of Mars with nuclear weapons or other techniques. I believe @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social would strongly support this.
This was inspired by the long-running (SF) Bay Area exoplanet meetings (originally organized by Tom Greene at Ames and still going strong.) It's a lovely format - local and informal with a good balance of elderly but supportive curmudgeons like me and @markmarley.bsky.social and young people.
The CHesapeake bay area EXOplanet Meeting #CHEXO12 has started @jhuapl.bsky.social with a nice and big crowd despite the snow!
www.chexo.org #exoplanets
www.chexo.org #exoplanets
December 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This was inspired by the long-running (SF) Bay Area exoplanet meetings (originally organized by Tom Greene at Ames and still going strong.) It's a lovely format - local and informal with a good balance of elderly but supportive curmudgeons like me and @markmarley.bsky.social and young people.
Reposted by Bruce Macintosh
Hey @nature.com, have you got an explanation for how the hell THIS happened? & especially why you accepted a paper with such a bizarre piece of genAI slop in it?!
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Hey @nature.com, have you got an explanation for how the hell THIS happened? & especially why you accepted a paper with such a bizarre piece of genAI slop in it?!
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Bruce Macintosh
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That yours truly played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor falls, the major lifts
The pontifex composing Hallelujah
That yours truly played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor falls, the major lifts
The pontifex composing Hallelujah
November 22, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That yours truly played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor falls, the major lifts
The pontifex composing Hallelujah
That yours truly played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor falls, the major lifts
The pontifex composing Hallelujah
We should never, ever be assuming that just because our friends and colleagues are strong that they should have to take crap like is described in this thread, and it's our job to try and build a world where they don't have to.
I know a lot of astronomers and physicists tell themselves that I seem like a strong person/ality who can handle anything and I just need everyone to know how fucking sexist and racist it is to simply put it down to “well she can take it”
I’m a person and even if I can why should I have to
I’m a person and even if I can why should I have to
November 16, 2025 at 8:32 PM
We should never, ever be assuming that just because our friends and colleagues are strong that they should have to take crap like is described in this thread, and it's our job to try and build a world where they don't have to.
Reposted by Bruce Macintosh
Larry Summers needs to resign or be pushed out of Harvard. This is absolutely unacceptable.
The emails have Summers reporting to Epstein about his attempts to date a Harvard economics student & to hit on her during a seminar she was giving.
November 16, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Larry Summers needs to resign or be pushed out of Harvard. This is absolutely unacceptable.
Reposted by Bruce Macintosh
I’m an economics professor and I approve this message.
We have a deep bench of economists that are better qualified for this role.
We have a deep bench of economists that are better qualified for this role.
I refuse to believe that Larry Summers' expertise and skills are indispensable in any way. Please find another economist and policy expert, @americanprogress.bsky.social. There are loads out there.
November 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I’m an economics professor and I approve this message.
We have a deep bench of economists that are better qualified for this role.
We have a deep bench of economists that are better qualified for this role.
Reposted by Bruce Macintosh
Those were beautiful #aurorae in the past days. A solar storm brought a lot of protons to Earth. Not only to Earth but also to #ESAEuclid – but does #Euclid notice? Oh yes.
www.euclid-ec.org/here-comes-t...
#ESA #Sun #SpaceWeather #space
www.euclid-ec.org/here-comes-t...
#ESA #Sun #SpaceWeather #space
November 15, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Those were beautiful #aurorae in the past days. A solar storm brought a lot of protons to Earth. Not only to Earth but also to #ESAEuclid – but does #Euclid notice? Oh yes.
www.euclid-ec.org/here-comes-t...
#ESA #Sun #SpaceWeather #space
www.euclid-ec.org/here-comes-t...
#ESA #Sun #SpaceWeather #space
Reposted by Bruce Macintosh
Astro PhD applications for Edinburgh are open! Deadlines are:
* 24 Nov: Career Development Scholarship (for students of Black heritage)
* 5 Dec: Bell Burnell Scholarship (for all URM students)
* 5 Jan: all applications
Come to beautiful Scotland! 🏴
Applying is free! 🔭🧪
ifa.roe.ac.uk/phds-jobs-fe...
* 24 Nov: Career Development Scholarship (for students of Black heritage)
* 5 Dec: Bell Burnell Scholarship (for all URM students)
* 5 Jan: all applications
Come to beautiful Scotland! 🏴
Applying is free! 🔭🧪
ifa.roe.ac.uk/phds-jobs-fe...
November 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Astro PhD applications for Edinburgh are open! Deadlines are:
* 24 Nov: Career Development Scholarship (for students of Black heritage)
* 5 Dec: Bell Burnell Scholarship (for all URM students)
* 5 Jan: all applications
Come to beautiful Scotland! 🏴
Applying is free! 🔭🧪
ifa.roe.ac.uk/phds-jobs-fe...
* 24 Nov: Career Development Scholarship (for students of Black heritage)
* 5 Dec: Bell Burnell Scholarship (for all URM students)
* 5 Jan: all applications
Come to beautiful Scotland! 🏴
Applying is free! 🔭🧪
ifa.roe.ac.uk/phds-jobs-fe...
This is a pretty darn important election here in California for an odd-numbered year. Get out there!
November 4, 2025 at 3:08 AM
This is a pretty darn important election here in California for an odd-numbered year. Get out there!
Reposted by Bruce Macintosh
My #AO4ELT talk summarised the results from the new DM at @keckobservatory.bsky.social , and one of my favorite results is a video of applying a waffle on the DM. So here's my latest fun activities with the HAKA DM!
HAKA: High Order Keck Adaptive Optics
#astronomy #adaptiveoptics
HAKA: High Order Keck Adaptive Optics
#astronomy #adaptiveoptics
October 30, 2025 at 1:52 PM
My #AO4ELT talk summarised the results from the new DM at @keckobservatory.bsky.social , and one of my favorite results is a video of applying a waffle on the DM. So here's my latest fun activities with the HAKA DM!
HAKA: High Order Keck Adaptive Optics
#astronomy #adaptiveoptics
HAKA: High Order Keck Adaptive Optics
#astronomy #adaptiveoptics
Or in other units, this "donation" is $3 per service member per day. In addition to the illegality, presenting it as if it makes any difference whatsoever is nonsense.
For context, annual military compensation is about $600 billion. So $130 million is about $100 per service member or 0.02% of total annual costs. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
Once the precedent of not paying the troops according to the rules is created, bad things follow. $130 million is not a large portion of military salary, but sends the message to troops that Trump and his buddies are personally paying them.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-risks-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-risks-...
October 25, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Or in other units, this "donation" is $3 per service member per day. In addition to the illegality, presenting it as if it makes any difference whatsoever is nonsense.
Reposted by Bruce Macintosh
For context, annual military compensation is about $600 billion. So $130 million is about $100 per service member or 0.02% of total annual costs. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
Once the precedent of not paying the troops according to the rules is created, bad things follow. $130 million is not a large portion of military salary, but sends the message to troops that Trump and his buddies are personally paying them.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-risks-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-risks-...
October 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
For context, annual military compensation is about $600 billion. So $130 million is about $100 per service member or 0.02% of total annual costs. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
I had my first real visit to @ucmerced.bsky.social to meet students and leaders and give a public talk, and had a wonderful time - hoping to come back some time soon.
The public is invited to an evening of cosmic discovery on Thurs., Oct. 23, featuring a lecture by Bruce Macintosh, director of the University of California Observatories followed by telescope viewing with the campus Astronomy Club. 🔗 ucm.edu/e49fvk
October 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I had my first real visit to @ucmerced.bsky.social to meet students and leaders and give a public talk, and had a wonderful time - hoping to come back some time soon.
Now with proper link! Inspiring people with science is a major part of UC Observatories' mission. We have an opening for a support astronomer at Lick Observatory to both support science and also to lead our amazing mountain-top public programming.
aas.org/jobregister/...
aas.org/jobregister/...
Support Astronomer for Lick Observatory | American Astronomical Society
The University of California Observatories (UCO) at UC Santa Cruz seeks a Support Astronomer for Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton. UCO operates Lick and partners with Keck and TMT; this role ensures w...
aas.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Now with proper link! Inspiring people with science is a major part of UC Observatories' mission. We have an opening for a support astronomer at Lick Observatory to both support science and also to lead our amazing mountain-top public programming.
aas.org/jobregister/...
aas.org/jobregister/...
Who robbed the Louvre? Right answers only.
October 20, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Who robbed the Louvre? Right answers only.