Jen Willis 💫🎃
@jenwillis.bsky.social
Writer. Editor. @SkyandTelescope columnist.
Chronic illness/pain/optimism. ND. Astronerd. Fangirl of trees, otters, & more. She/her.
jennifer-willis.com
Chronic illness/pain/optimism. ND. Astronerd. Fangirl of trees, otters, & more. She/her.
jennifer-willis.com
Pinned
Jen Willis 💫🎃
@jenwillis.bsky.social
· Nov 28
Everything You Need to Vote - Vote.org
Register to vote. Check your registration status. Get your absentee ballot. Fast, free, easy, secure, nonpartisan.
vote.org
You know what all the cool kids* are doing? Checking their voter registration on a regular basis, and/or registering for the first time.
vote.org
(*I mean, maybe? I am not cool. But voting is super important.)
vote.org
(*I mean, maybe? I am not cool. But voting is super important.)
Wow!
#apod 2025-11-26
Globular Cluster M15 Deep Field
Image Credit:
Alvaro Ibanez Perez
Web page: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap251126.html
Globular Cluster M15 Deep Field
Image Credit:
Alvaro Ibanez Perez
Web page: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap251126.html
November 26, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Wow!
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 AM
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
From The Hobbit:
"The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,
And bright are the windows of Night in her tower."
Images: M45, the Pleiades and tonight's waxing crescent Moon. 🔭
"The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,
And bright are the windows of Night in her tower."
Images: M45, the Pleiades and tonight's waxing crescent Moon. 🔭
November 26, 2025 at 3:42 AM
From The Hobbit:
"The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,
And bright are the windows of Night in her tower."
Images: M45, the Pleiades and tonight's waxing crescent Moon. 🔭
"The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,
And bright are the windows of Night in her tower."
Images: M45, the Pleiades and tonight's waxing crescent Moon. 🔭
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
Thanks to Rubin's sensitive and detailed images using color filters that span the near-infrared to near-ultraviolet, scientists will get a clear look at which galaxies are young and actively forming stars, allowing them to trace how galaxies evolve over billions of years🌀
🔭🧪
🔭🧪
November 25, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Thanks to Rubin's sensitive and detailed images using color filters that span the near-infrared to near-ultraviolet, scientists will get a clear look at which galaxies are young and actively forming stars, allowing them to trace how galaxies evolve over billions of years🌀
🔭🧪
🔭🧪
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
Why blue? These galaxies are full of hot, young stars. Like the flame of a blowtorch, blue light dominates in these because the young stars burn hotter and brighter than cooler, redder stars.🔭🧪
November 25, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Why blue? These galaxies are full of hot, young stars. Like the flame of a blowtorch, blue light dominates in these because the young stars burn hotter and brighter than cooler, redder stars.🔭🧪
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
We're blue-da-ba-dee-da-ba-di because blue is the color of cosmic creation! 💙
In these snapshots from NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory, brilliant blue galaxies are bursting with star formation, lighting up the Universe with newborn stars. 🌌✨
🔭🧪
In these snapshots from NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory, brilliant blue galaxies are bursting with star formation, lighting up the Universe with newborn stars. 🌌✨
🔭🧪
November 25, 2025 at 10:46 PM
We're blue-da-ba-dee-da-ba-di because blue is the color of cosmic creation! 💙
In these snapshots from NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory, brilliant blue galaxies are bursting with star formation, lighting up the Universe with newborn stars. 🌌✨
🔭🧪
In these snapshots from NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory, brilliant blue galaxies are bursting with star formation, lighting up the Universe with newborn stars. 🌌✨
🔭🧪
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
I worked in public libraries for over thirty years and second this 100%. Libraries LOVE to hear from their patrons what they want the library to stock. We always gave weight to requests for purchase from our patrons #libraries
Libraries are free for you to use, serve the public good, are great, support creators financially and, I cannot be clear enough about this-- ARE FREE FOR YOU TO USE-- so pirating books makes you kind of an asshole, not some Marxist revolutionary.
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
November 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I worked in public libraries for over thirty years and second this 100%. Libraries LOVE to hear from their patrons what they want the library to stock. We always gave weight to requests for purchase from our patrons #libraries
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
Libraries are free for you to use, serve the public good, are great, support creators financially and, I cannot be clear enough about this-- ARE FREE FOR YOU TO USE-- so pirating books makes you kind of an asshole, not some Marxist revolutionary.
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
November 25, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Libraries are free for you to use, serve the public good, are great, support creators financially and, I cannot be clear enough about this-- ARE FREE FOR YOU TO USE-- so pirating books makes you kind of an asshole, not some Marxist revolutionary.
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy—observed by #NASAWebb in mid-infrared light—shows “creeping” orange tendrils of gas and dust, and many blue stars. The galaxy’s core, the bright central area, is where the oldest stars are. New stars may be forming farther out. Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA 🔭 🧪
November 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy—observed by #NASAWebb in mid-infrared light—shows “creeping” orange tendrils of gas and dust, and many blue stars. The galaxy’s core, the bright central area, is where the oldest stars are. New stars may be forming farther out. Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA 🔭 🧪
Well, damn. I got my dates mixed up this year and missed Wolfenoot by two days. Luckily, my dog doesn't know we're late. Every day should be a dog holiday.
November 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Well, damn. I got my dates mixed up this year and missed Wolfenoot by two days. Luckily, my dog doesn't know we're late. Every day should be a dog holiday.
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
Comet Lemmon and the Milky Way apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25112...
What did Comet Lemmon look like when it was at its best? One example is pictured here, featuring three celestial spectacles all at different distances. The closest spectacle is the snowcapped Meili Mountains of the Himalayas in China.
What did Comet Lemmon look like when it was at its best? One example is pictured here, featuring three celestial spectacles all at different distances. The closest spectacle is the snowcapped Meili Mountains of the Himalayas in China.
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Comet Lemmon and the Milky Way apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25112...
What did Comet Lemmon look like when it was at its best? One example is pictured here, featuring three celestial spectacles all at different distances. The closest spectacle is the snowcapped Meili Mountains of the Himalayas in China.
What did Comet Lemmon look like when it was at its best? One example is pictured here, featuring three celestial spectacles all at different distances. The closest spectacle is the snowcapped Meili Mountains of the Himalayas in China.
I suggested a library purchase earlier today. It's super simple and helps authors and library patrons alike.
Folks, if your library doesn’t have a book you want to read, ask them to buy a copy. Most have a convenient form and will let you know when it comes in. If your library offers ILL, they can even borrow books from other libraries.
November 25, 2025 at 4:06 AM
I suggested a library purchase earlier today. It's super simple and helps authors and library patrons alike.
Look at this beauty.
Here's an image from last night of Messier 74, a spiral galaxy located about 32 million light years away in the direction of the constellation of Pisces. 🔭
November 24, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Look at this beauty.
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
this reminds me that I love telling the story of the first time I went to Confession as a kid and very gravely told Father Harrington that I had picked the whole crust off the pie my mom had baked for guests that night and ate it because I was mad at her, which made him laugh so hard he cried
When I was a kid Ma was known for her desserts. Her Thanksgiving job was several pies, fruit and meat, all with homemade crust. One year her crusts were ruined in a baking accident and she had to use frozen store bought. Did 10-year-old me announce that fact to the whole family? I sure did.
November 24, 2025 at 11:48 PM
this reminds me that I love telling the story of the first time I went to Confession as a kid and very gravely told Father Harrington that I had picked the whole crust off the pie my mom had baked for guests that night and ate it because I was mad at her, which made him laugh so hard he cried
Yep.
Every allistic review of the Murderbot Diaries: A stunningly human portrayal of robot interiority!
Every autistic reading the Murderbot Diaries: This robot is autistic.
Every autistic reading the Murderbot Diaries: This robot is autistic.
November 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Yep.
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
I'd appreciate shares of this as it is free and you know Caribbean SFF is my thing.
GTA friends I will be at this Canadian-Caribbean showcase on Dec 14 discussing Writing Speculative Fiction with Terese Mason Pierre and Lue Palmer! All of it is free. There are workshops on poetry, self pubbing, non fiction, short stories etc!
come say hi? 😀
diasporadialogues.com/diaspora-dia...
come say hi? 😀
diasporadialogues.com/diaspora-dia...
Diaspora Dialogues Presents the 2025 Canadian-Caribbean Literary Showcase - Diaspora Dialogues
The Canadian-Caribbean Literary Showcase is a three-day celebration of Caribbean voices and their influence on Canadian literature, art, and culture. Over the course of the showcase, audiences are inv...
diasporadialogues.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I'd appreciate shares of this as it is free and you know Caribbean SFF is my thing.
Yes, yes, yes.
If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!
A reminder that the median book deal for a debut author in the UK is £7000, paid over 12-18 months. (from 2022 Society of Authors report). Some of your favourite writers are struggling. societyofauthors.org/2022/12/06/a....
November 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Yes, yes, yes.
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
More reps should do clips like this, featuring the messages we're leaving, because almost everyone I know is calling on the regular.
Fear is contagious, but so is courage. I remain steadfast in my oath to the Constitution and am grateful to those across the nation who stand with us. Don't give up the ship.
November 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
More reps should do clips like this, featuring the messages we're leaving, because almost everyone I know is calling on the regular.
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
📷 This NASA/ESA #Hubble Space Telescope image shows a gigantic cloud of cold hydrogen gas called N159. It's one of the largest star-forming clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud, neighbouring our galaxy. 🧪🔭
esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
November 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
📷 This NASA/ESA #Hubble Space Telescope image shows a gigantic cloud of cold hydrogen gas called N159. It's one of the largest star-forming clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud, neighbouring our galaxy. 🧪🔭
esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
esahubble.org/images/potw2...
@science.esa.int @stsci.edu
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
👇👇👇
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 24, 2025 at 6:25 AM
👇👇👇
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
Mars Helicopter Ingenuity on Sol 871 - From Simeon Schmauß (stim3on.bsky.social) - https://flic.kr/p/2ptn6qu
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Mars Helicopter Ingenuity on Sol 871 - From Simeon Schmauß (stim3on.bsky.social) - https://flic.kr/p/2ptn6qu
Look at that face!
Avocado Toast "cado" 🐕
Baby male Pit Bull Terrier mix
Adoptable from Beautiful Redemption Rescue (Canal Winchester, OH)
https://www.petfinder.com/dog/avocado-toast-and-number-34cado-and-number-34-79600553/oh/canal-winchester/beautiful-redemption-rescue-oh1315/
Baby male Pit Bull Terrier mix
Adoptable from Beautiful Redemption Rescue (Canal Winchester, OH)
https://www.petfinder.com/dog/avocado-toast-and-number-34cado-and-number-34-79600553/oh/canal-winchester/beautiful-redemption-rescue-oh1315/
November 23, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Look at that face!
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
I have been looking at Black Friday sales for a week but I do not actually need anything so instead I closed all those tabs and bought a Polaroid for a foster kid in Florida who uses photography to deal with big feelings. Perhaps you would like to do the same for one of the kids at the link below?
🧵 We are, in fact, doing the thing again for @onesimplewish.bsky.social. In 2024, the kind people of this community put the money cannon on blast to help grant $75K in wishes for children in foster care. Toys, tech, a suit for job interviews. Here we go again! 👇
www.onesimplewish.org/giving/megwa...
www.onesimplewish.org/giving/megwa...
November 22, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I have been looking at Black Friday sales for a week but I do not actually need anything so instead I closed all those tabs and bought a Polaroid for a foster kid in Florida who uses photography to deal with big feelings. Perhaps you would like to do the same for one of the kids at the link below?
Reposted by Jen Willis 💫🎃
NASA's Hubble Sees Asteroid Spout Six Comet-like Tails - From Goddard Space Flight Center - https://flic.kr/p/hwaYHg
November 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
NASA's Hubble Sees Asteroid Spout Six Comet-like Tails - From Goddard Space Flight Center - https://flic.kr/p/hwaYHg