James Tuttle Keane
@jtuttlekeane.bsky.social
planetary scientist 🪐 science illustrator 🎨 trekkie 🖖 dog dad 🐶 Pasadena 🌹 views are my own 🏳️🌈 he/him
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
Full speed ahead to Apophis! 🚀🪨
ESA has awarded two contracts for the development of its Ramses mission, which will rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis ahead of its once-in-a-millennium flyby of Earth in 2029.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
ESA has awarded two contracts for the development of its Ramses mission, which will rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis ahead of its once-in-a-millennium flyby of Earth in 2029.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
ESA awards contracts for Ramses mission to Apophis
On 10 February 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a contract with OHB Italia for the development of the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses). Launching in 2028, Ramses will rendez...
www.esa.int
February 10, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Full speed ahead to Apophis! 🚀🪨
ESA has awarded two contracts for the development of its Ramses mission, which will rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis ahead of its once-in-a-millennium flyby of Earth in 2029.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
ESA has awarded two contracts for the development of its Ramses mission, which will rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis ahead of its once-in-a-millennium flyby of Earth in 2029.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Now that’s a missing element of the Moon-to-Mars architecture: Motorcycles!
January 21, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Now that’s a missing element of the Moon-to-Mars architecture: Motorcycles!
Back in DC for this year’s Moon-to-Mars architecture workshop! Dr. Lori Glaze kicked it off to a packed room, excited for Artemis II!
January 21, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Back in DC for this year’s Moon-to-Mars architecture workshop! Dr. Lori Glaze kicked it off to a packed room, excited for Artemis II!
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!
Honestly I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this Orwellian space bullshit.
Putting lipstick on a cosmic space pig about a horribly destructive, wasteful and regressive year at NASA.
🧪🔭
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
Honestly I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this Orwellian space bullshit.
Putting lipstick on a cosmic space pig about a horribly destructive, wasteful and regressive year at NASA.
🧪🔭
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
NASA Unlocks Golden Age of Innovation, Exploration in Trump’s First Year - NASA
One year into President Donald J. Trump’s second term, NASA is delivering measurable progress across human spaceflight, science, aeronautics, and cutting-edge
www.nasa.gov
January 20, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!
Honestly I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this Orwellian space bullshit.
Putting lipstick on a cosmic space pig about a horribly destructive, wasteful and regressive year at NASA.
🧪🔭
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
Honestly I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this Orwellian space bullshit.
Putting lipstick on a cosmic space pig about a horribly destructive, wasteful and regressive year at NASA.
🧪🔭
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
If the AGs do die, I’d like to see them reformulated as bottoms-up advocacy groups.
January 31, 2025 at 9:04 PM
If the AGs do die, I’d like to see them reformulated as bottoms-up advocacy groups.
NASA has formally ended support for the AGs science.nasa.gov/planetary-sc...
Sigh. AGs (like LEAG, OPAG) have an important role in the planetary science community.
IMHO, in recent years it’s been unclear how useful they are to NASA, but they do provide a venue for subfields to focus their programmatic energy and strategize (or argue/complain/commiserate) together. (1/3)
IMHO, in recent years it’s been unclear how useful they are to NASA, but they do provide a venue for subfields to focus their programmatic energy and strategize (or argue/complain/commiserate) together. (1/3)
❗❗NASA is pausing program analysis groups activities. These are the groups that provide community input to the Astrophysics and Planetary Divisions to help shape the science that NASA supports.
Source: I'm on the ExoPAG executive committee
(repost with more emails blocked)
Source: I'm on the ExoPAG executive committee
(repost with more emails blocked)
January 16, 2026 at 11:23 PM
NASA has formally ended support for the AGs science.nasa.gov/planetary-sc...
Reposting for no particular reason…
We're really just going to comply our way through this, huh?
Now is a great time for folks in these AGs (Assessment Groups, for the uninitiated) to consider their form, function, and capacity for advocacy. Since they already require so much work (for free), what if we built something better?
Now is a great time for folks in these AGs (Assessment Groups, for the uninitiated) to consider their form, function, and capacity for advocacy. Since they already require so much work (for free), what if we built something better?
Sigh. The planetary AG pages are now down:
www.lpi.usra.edu/analysis/
They now divert to pages that say the website is under review.
www.lpi.usra.edu/analysis/
They now divert to pages that say the website is under review.
January 16, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Reposting for no particular reason…
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
Meanwhile...we let ours crumble, and we're not rebuilding it.
China is now progressing with an upgrade plan for its Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), in which dozens of medium-aperture antennas will be deployed around the huge telescope to form a globally unique, FAST-centered giant synthetic aperture array.
January 16, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Meanwhile...we let ours crumble, and we're not rebuilding it.
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
January 16, 2026 at 2:53 AM
It’s like the Pakled and Ferengi teamed up
January 15, 2026 at 4:42 PM
It’s like the Pakled and Ferengi teamed up
About time we sample the lunar mantle
So @gbruhaug.bsky.social reminded us on the ToughSF Discord server of Winterberg's proposal to dig through the Moon's crust and mantle.
This is your brain on nuclear bombs:
This is your brain on nuclear bombs:
January 15, 2026 at 3:25 PM
About time we sample the lunar mantle
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
1) God, these people are such transparently pathetic losers.
2) I have a goddamn PhD in geological science, and I start training as a barista for $16.40 an hour this Monday, and yet
2) I have a goddamn PhD in geological science, and I start training as a barista for $16.40 an hour this Monday, and yet
January 14, 2026 at 12:44 AM
1) God, these people are such transparently pathetic losers.
2) I have a goddamn PhD in geological science, and I start training as a barista for $16.40 an hour this Monday, and yet
2) I have a goddamn PhD in geological science, and I start training as a barista for $16.40 an hour this Monday, and yet
Finally! No more scrounging for PDFs.
January 6, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Finally! No more scrounging for PDFs.
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
Space artists: don’t forget to submit your work to The Art of Planetary Science exhibition by December 31st! The event is held in Tucson. Anyone can submit—all levels & types of human-made art. I’ll be submitting and attending again. 🐡🔭🧪
More details here: lpl.arizona.edu/art
More details here: lpl.arizona.edu/art
lpl.arizona.edu
December 13, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Space artists: don’t forget to submit your work to The Art of Planetary Science exhibition by December 31st! The event is held in Tucson. Anyone can submit—all levels & types of human-made art. I’ll be submitting and attending again. 🐡🔭🧪
More details here: lpl.arizona.edu/art
More details here: lpl.arizona.edu/art
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
Attn space artists, there’s still time to submit!*
*I had grand plans to finish a piece in time to enter but, yaknow, it’s the 30th and I haven’t even unwrapped the cradled board I bought so prolly not submitting this year. 😑
*I had grand plans to finish a piece in time to enter but, yaknow, it’s the 30th and I haven’t even unwrapped the cradled board I bought so prolly not submitting this year. 😑
Space artists: don’t forget to submit your work to The Art of Planetary Science exhibition by December 31st! The event is held in Tucson. Anyone can submit—all levels & types of human-made art. I’ll be submitting and attending again. 🐡🔭🧪
More details here: lpl.arizona.edu/art
More details here: lpl.arizona.edu/art
lpl.arizona.edu
December 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Attn space artists, there’s still time to submit!*
*I had grand plans to finish a piece in time to enter but, yaknow, it’s the 30th and I haven’t even unwrapped the cradled board I bought so prolly not submitting this year. 😑
*I had grand plans to finish a piece in time to enter but, yaknow, it’s the 30th and I haven’t even unwrapped the cradled board I bought so prolly not submitting this year. 😑
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
I have been neglecting Uranus system for a long time now.
So I decided to change that. Here's Uranus and Miranda visible above the canyons of Ariel.
#SciArt #spaceart #astronomy #solarsystem #Uranus
So I decided to change that. Here's Uranus and Miranda visible above the canyons of Ariel.
#SciArt #spaceart #astronomy #solarsystem #Uranus
December 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I have been neglecting Uranus system for a long time now.
So I decided to change that. Here's Uranus and Miranda visible above the canyons of Ariel.
#SciArt #spaceart #astronomy #solarsystem #Uranus
So I decided to change that. Here's Uranus and Miranda visible above the canyons of Ariel.
#SciArt #spaceart #astronomy #solarsystem #Uranus
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
Today in 1989, the Space Shuttle Atlantis launched the Galileo spacecraft, the first orbiter and entry probe at a giant planet. When I watch it recede from the shuttle, I can't help but want to scream to open the antenna first (it never opened). They were still able to salvage an amazing mission.
December 8, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Today in 1989, the Space Shuttle Atlantis launched the Galileo spacecraft, the first orbiter and entry probe at a giant planet. When I watch it recede from the shuttle, I can't help but want to scream to open the antenna first (it never opened). They were still able to salvage an amazing mission.
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
I zoomed in, added a bit of contrast, and went back and forth over the first few seconds to show how the ground around the vents bulges outward before the lava breaks through and blasts it apart. Remarkable stuff. Nature is neat. #Kilauea
December 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I zoomed in, added a bit of contrast, and went back and forth over the first few seconds to show how the ground around the vents bulges outward before the lava breaks through and blasts it apart. Remarkable stuff. Nature is neat. #Kilauea
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
It's over.
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
BREAKING: ‘This hurts’: UNL eliminates 4 programs despite faculty, student pleas
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln eliminates the Earth and atmospheric sciences 8-0, educational administration 7-1, statistics 7-1, textiles, merchandising and fashion design 7-1 programs.
www.dailynebraskan.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:35 PM
It's over.
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
It's over.
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
BREAKING: ‘This hurts’: UNL eliminates 4 programs despite faculty, student pleas
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln eliminates the Earth and atmospheric sciences 8-0, educational administration 7-1, statistics 7-1, textiles, merchandising and fashion design 7-1 programs.
www.dailynebraskan.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
More evidence that Mars has a colorful history. In the past, the Red Planet probably had rings at certain times, and a larger moon (or moons) at others.
In the future, Mars will probably have rings again. 🧪🔭
eos.org/articles/sed...
In the future, Mars will probably have rings again. 🧪🔭
eos.org/articles/sed...
December 2, 2025 at 7:28 PM
More evidence that Mars has a colorful history. In the past, the Red Planet probably had rings at certain times, and a larger moon (or moons) at others.
In the future, Mars will probably have rings again. 🧪🔭
eos.org/articles/sed...
In the future, Mars will probably have rings again. 🧪🔭
eos.org/articles/sed...
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
Reminder! My fantastic Department is hiring an Instructional Faculty position in Earth Surface Processes!!!
⚒️🧪🔭
⚒️🧪🔭
🚨 We are Hiring!!! 🚨
UF Geology is searching for a Teaching Faculty (Lecturer or Senior Lecturer) in Earth Surface Processes.
Lecturer positions at UF are faculty positions with promotion potential, the ability to advise students, & apply for funding if desired.
Apply by Jan. 5th! Link Below ⚒️🧪
UF Geology is searching for a Teaching Faculty (Lecturer or Senior Lecturer) in Earth Surface Processes.
Lecturer positions at UF are faculty positions with promotion potential, the ability to advise students, & apply for funding if desired.
Apply by Jan. 5th! Link Below ⚒️🧪
December 2, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reminder! My fantastic Department is hiring an Instructional Faculty position in Earth Surface Processes!!!
⚒️🧪🔭
⚒️🧪🔭
Reposted by James Tuttle Keane
Look at this image (and thread - use the translate service).
This one reads along the lines of:
"..Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) without cleaning.
In just 15 minutes of acquisition, we counted 1,659 satellite trails (about 400 individual ones).
Words cannot describe the pollution of near space."
🔭
This one reads along the lines of:
"..Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) without cleaning.
In just 15 minutes of acquisition, we counted 1,659 satellite trails (about 400 individual ones).
Words cannot describe the pollution of near space."
🔭
3/4. En esta imagen se muestra el mismo campo estelar del Cometa C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) sin limpiar.
En solo 15 minutos de adquisición, contamos 1659 trazas de satélites (unos 400 individuales).
Sobran las palabras para describir la contaminación del espacio cercano.
En solo 15 minutos de adquisición, contamos 1659 trazas de satélites (unos 400 individuales).
Sobran las palabras para describir la contaminación del espacio cercano.
December 1, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Look at this image (and thread - use the translate service).
This one reads along the lines of:
"..Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) without cleaning.
In just 15 minutes of acquisition, we counted 1,659 satellite trails (about 400 individual ones).
Words cannot describe the pollution of near space."
🔭
This one reads along the lines of:
"..Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) without cleaning.
In just 15 minutes of acquisition, we counted 1,659 satellite trails (about 400 individual ones).
Words cannot describe the pollution of near space."
🔭