Mark A. Norris
@markanorris.bsky.social
Astronomer, Educator, Traveller, Human, Mild cynic.
Another normal day over on LinkedIn:
Using AI to pretend you did some scholarship?
Worried someone might realise your fraud because LLMs are inherently unreliable?
The solution is obvious you fool! Run your AI’s thoughts through another unreliable AI to scrub the evidence!
Using AI to pretend you did some scholarship?
Worried someone might realise your fraud because LLMs are inherently unreliable?
The solution is obvious you fool! Run your AI’s thoughts through another unreliable AI to scrub the evidence!
February 13, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Another normal day over on LinkedIn:
Using AI to pretend you did some scholarship?
Worried someone might realise your fraud because LLMs are inherently unreliable?
The solution is obvious you fool! Run your AI’s thoughts through another unreliable AI to scrub the evidence!
Using AI to pretend you did some scholarship?
Worried someone might realise your fraud because LLMs are inherently unreliable?
The solution is obvious you fool! Run your AI’s thoughts through another unreliable AI to scrub the evidence!
Counterpoint it won’t.
It’s not like his companies are valued rationally.
His car company has basically decided to stop making cars and the share price didn’t really change.
It’s not like his companies are valued rationally.
His car company has basically decided to stop making cars and the share price didn’t really change.
The revelations that Musk sought an invite to Epstein’s island add risk to his plans to merge SpaceX with xAI, and then take the combined company public, experts say.
Read more from @andyjayhawk.bsky.social:
Read more from @andyjayhawk.bsky.social:
Will Elon Musk’s emails with Jeffrey Epstein derail his very important year?
The revelations that Musk sought an invite to Epstein’s island add risk to his plans to merge SpaceX with xAI, and then take the combined company public, experts say.
www.theverge.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Counterpoint it won’t.
It’s not like his companies are valued rationally.
His car company has basically decided to stop making cars and the share price didn’t really change.
It’s not like his companies are valued rationally.
His car company has basically decided to stop making cars and the share price didn’t really change.
A cynic might think that this nonsense is meant to distract from Elon being in the news for other reasons.
For the record space data enters won’t work, and a million satellites is a recipe for a guaranteed Kessler syndrome.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
For the record space data enters won’t work, and a million satellites is a recipe for a guaranteed Kessler syndrome.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Elon Musk's SpaceX applies to launch 1m satellites into orbit
The firm wants to create a network of
www.bbc.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 7:33 PM
A cynic might think that this nonsense is meant to distract from Elon being in the news for other reasons.
For the record space data enters won’t work, and a million satellites is a recipe for a guaranteed Kessler syndrome.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
For the record space data enters won’t work, and a million satellites is a recipe for a guaranteed Kessler syndrome.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How could you tell it was broken?
‘Nightmare’—Microsoft Update Breaks Windows For Millions
‘Nightmare’—Microsoft Update Breaks Windows For Millions
Do not install this Microsoft Windows update until you understand the risks.
www.forbes.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:26 PM
How could you tell it was broken?
Democrats paying for Trumps stormtroopers.
I thought they were meant to SELL the rope that would be used to hang them, not PAY for it.
I thought they were meant to SELL the rope that would be used to hang them, not PAY for it.
Top lawmakers released a $1.2 trillion deal that would fund DHS, the Pentagon and other domestic agencies ahead of the Jan. 30 shutdown deadline.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Congress clinches $1.2T funding deal for DHS, Pentagon, domestic agencies
House and Senate leaders are trying to clear the package before the Jan. 30 shutdown deadline.
www.politico.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Democrats paying for Trumps stormtroopers.
I thought they were meant to SELL the rope that would be used to hang them, not PAY for it.
I thought they were meant to SELL the rope that would be used to hang them, not PAY for it.
So a private organisation based in Norway failing to give Trump a peace prize is grounds for him to declare war on Denmark?
He is clearly deeply, dangerously ill and needs to be removed immediately.
I can’t believe supposedly serious people are ok with him controlling crayons never mind nukes.
He is clearly deeply, dangerously ill and needs to be removed immediately.
I can’t believe supposedly serious people are ok with him controlling crayons never mind nukes.
![NEW: @potus letter to @jonasgahrstore links @NobelPrize to Greenland, reiterates threats, and is forwarded by the NSC staff to multiple European ambassadors in Washington. I obtained the text from multiple officials:
Dear Ambassador:
President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state]
“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreie7itpptx3xbxhpsnlaqmwk752h7pcrion5ija2apksljtax2adx4@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 9:04 AM
So a private organisation based in Norway failing to give Trump a peace prize is grounds for him to declare war on Denmark?
He is clearly deeply, dangerously ill and needs to be removed immediately.
I can’t believe supposedly serious people are ok with him controlling crayons never mind nukes.
He is clearly deeply, dangerously ill and needs to be removed immediately.
I can’t believe supposedly serious people are ok with him controlling crayons never mind nukes.
The US needs to refinance something like $9 trillion this year alone.
The UK alone already holds almost a trillion of US debt.
Probably time to stop buying more for a while. And maybe dump $50 billion or so right before the next auction.
The UK alone already holds almost a trillion of US debt.
Probably time to stop buying more for a while. And maybe dump $50 billion or so right before the next auction.
New tariff just dropped.
Americans set to pay an additional 10% tax on all goods from Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
It starts in two weeks, rising to 25% by June.
(Aside: A trade war with one EU country is a trade war with the entire EU).
Americans set to pay an additional 10% tax on all goods from Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
It starts in two weeks, rising to 25% by June.
(Aside: A trade war with one EU country is a trade war with the entire EU).
January 17, 2026 at 6:07 PM
The US needs to refinance something like $9 trillion this year alone.
The UK alone already holds almost a trillion of US debt.
Probably time to stop buying more for a while. And maybe dump $50 billion or so right before the next auction.
The UK alone already holds almost a trillion of US debt.
Probably time to stop buying more for a while. And maybe dump $50 billion or so right before the next auction.
Calling it Robert Jenrick = Temu J.D. Vance.
January 15, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Calling it Robert Jenrick = Temu J.D. Vance.
Americans in 1775. “Give me liberty or give me death”
Americans in 2026. “Protest Trump and boycott his oligarch funders? Not if it inconveniences me.”
Americans in 2026. “Protest Trump and boycott his oligarch funders? Not if it inconveniences me.”
January 6, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Americans in 1775. “Give me liberty or give me death”
Americans in 2026. “Protest Trump and boycott his oligarch funders? Not if it inconveniences me.”
Americans in 2026. “Protest Trump and boycott his oligarch funders? Not if it inconveniences me.”
Open article to check, and yup, private equity firm at it again.
Why we allow these (usually American) vultures to gouge us then destroy our businesses is beyond me.
The whole business needs to be banned.
Why we allow these (usually American) vultures to gouge us then destroy our businesses is beyond me.
The whole business needs to be banned.
Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop near collapse, putting 2,550 jobs at risk
Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop near collapse, putting 2,550 jobs at risk
Owner Modella starts insolvency proceedings for both chains, saying trading is ‘extremely challenging’
The retailers Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop are on the brink of administration, putting 2,550 jobs at risk.
Both chains are owned by Modella Capital, a private equity firm, which recently bought the high street arm of WH Smith – renamed TG Jones. Modella said in a statement that the climate on UK high streets was “extremely challenging” and data suggested “an alarming drop-off in pre-Christmas footfall”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Open article to check, and yup, private equity firm at it again.
Why we allow these (usually American) vultures to gouge us then destroy our businesses is beyond me.
The whole business needs to be banned.
Why we allow these (usually American) vultures to gouge us then destroy our businesses is beyond me.
The whole business needs to be banned.
If he can do it to Venezuela he can do it to Greenland, or perhaps even Canada.
January 3, 2026 at 8:48 AM
If he can do it to Venezuela he can do it to Greenland, or perhaps even Canada.
I love the total lack of understanding of how functional healthcare works.
99.9% have no interest in choosing the consultant their GP refers them to, because they have no idea who they are.
In a functional system specialists aren’t paying to advertise themselves directly to the public.
99.9% have no interest in choosing the consultant their GP refers them to, because they have no idea who they are.
In a functional system specialists aren’t paying to advertise themselves directly to the public.
Instead, patients can go to any doctor of their choice, that will accept Medicare rates. The patient will be responsible for the cost , with payment based on a means tested income level.
The max being 10 pct
Employers whose employees participate will pay 10 pct of salary.
The max being 10 pct
Employers whose employees participate will pay 10 pct of salary.
December 29, 2025 at 7:54 AM
I love the total lack of understanding of how functional healthcare works.
99.9% have no interest in choosing the consultant their GP refers them to, because they have no idea who they are.
In a functional system specialists aren’t paying to advertise themselves directly to the public.
99.9% have no interest in choosing the consultant their GP refers them to, because they have no idea who they are.
In a functional system specialists aren’t paying to advertise themselves directly to the public.
Perhaps read the thing you are linking to, just to check it doesn’t say the opposite of what you claim?
December 28, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Perhaps read the thing you are linking to, just to check it doesn’t say the opposite of what you claim?
One more reason to wish for the AI bubble to burst sooner rather than later. Oracle going bust will presumably cause at least a temporary pause in the billionaires consolidating all media.
Warner Bros. Discovery requested a guarantee from the world’s third-richest person after Paramount’s hostile takeover offer.
Larry Ellison Guarantees $40 Billion In Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery Bid
Warner Bros. Discovery requested a guarantee from the world’s third-richest person after Paramount’s hostile takeover offer.
www.forbes.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:44 PM
One more reason to wish for the AI bubble to burst sooner rather than later. Oracle going bust will presumably cause at least a temporary pause in the billionaires consolidating all media.
I pointed out 3I/ATLAS was a comet on national TV. Heading to the bunker to avoid the crank emails.
Picture on the right is one I got at Alston. Looks like a comet to me.
Picture on the right is one I got at Alston. Looks like a comet to me.
December 19, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I pointed out 3I/ATLAS was a comet on national TV. Heading to the bunker to avoid the crank emails.
Picture on the right is one I got at Alston. Looks like a comet to me.
Picture on the right is one I got at Alston. Looks like a comet to me.
My morning. Though hopefully with less swearing. Though I did say "urine" on national breakfast TV...
December 19, 2025 at 10:25 AM
My morning. Though hopefully with less swearing. Though I did say "urine" on national breakfast TV...
A differential formulation of the Loeb scale is when Avi produces *TWO* random numbers and subtracts them to decide what the "Loeb" rating of a rock or ice-cube should be.
Or it could be inversely proportional to the amount of attention he has been getting recently...
arxiv.org/pdf/2512.13743
Or it could be inversely proportional to the amount of attention he has been getting recently...
arxiv.org/pdf/2512.13743
arxiv.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A differential formulation of the Loeb scale is when Avi produces *TWO* random numbers and subtracts them to decide what the "Loeb" rating of a rock or ice-cube should be.
Or it could be inversely proportional to the amount of attention he has been getting recently...
arxiv.org/pdf/2512.13743
Or it could be inversely proportional to the amount of attention he has been getting recently...
arxiv.org/pdf/2512.13743
Short timelapse of 3I/ATLAS observed from the Alston Observatory on Saturday morning.
The number of satellites visible is already seriously annoying. One passes almost directly over the comet.
youtu.be/cfkVNk8mYBc
The number of satellites visible is already seriously annoying. One passes almost directly over the comet.
youtu.be/cfkVNk8mYBc
3I/ATLAS Observed from the Alston Observatory
YouTube video by Mark Norris
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Short timelapse of 3I/ATLAS observed from the Alston Observatory on Saturday morning.
The number of satellites visible is already seriously annoying. One passes almost directly over the comet.
youtu.be/cfkVNk8mYBc
The number of satellites visible is already seriously annoying. One passes almost directly over the comet.
youtu.be/cfkVNk8mYBc
Only billionaires unused to ever being told no could come up with such a spectacularly dumb idea.
The highly complex and physically enormous cooling system on the International Space System can remove 70kW of heat. That is enough for 100 H200 chips. Datacenters have 10's of thousands.
The highly complex and physically enormous cooling system on the International Space System can remove 70kW of heat. That is enough for 100 H200 chips. Datacenters have 10's of thousands.
“.. Skeptics believe the technical risks are being underestimated and say space-based data centers won’t be competitive on cost, especially if power and other constraints ease on the ground.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
December 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Only billionaires unused to ever being told no could come up with such a spectacularly dumb idea.
The highly complex and physically enormous cooling system on the International Space System can remove 70kW of heat. That is enough for 100 H200 chips. Datacenters have 10's of thousands.
The highly complex and physically enormous cooling system on the International Space System can remove 70kW of heat. That is enough for 100 H200 chips. Datacenters have 10's of thousands.
Caught a nice meteor in the latest timelapse from the observatory tonight.
December 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Caught a nice meteor in the latest timelapse from the observatory tonight.
That Admiral better not plan on ever leaving US territory again. Other countries are legally bound to prosecute war crimes even if the US won’t.
December 5, 2025 at 8:33 AM
That Admiral better not plan on ever leaving US territory again. Other countries are legally bound to prosecute war crimes even if the US won’t.
Henry isn’t half a smug little @&£*& every time he gets stuck behind a door (which is every time).
December 4, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Henry isn’t half a smug little @&£*& every time he gets stuck behind a door (which is every time).
So they don’t actually want a deal.
How could Ukraine possibly agree to a peace deal without knowing what security guarantees there were first?
How could Ukraine possibly agree to a peace deal without knowing what security guarantees there were first?
⚡️ US to discuss Ukraine security guarantees after peace deal signed, Rubio tells allies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured allies during a Nov. 25 call that the U.S. plans to address security guarantees once an agreement is reached, Politico reported.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured allies during a Nov. 25 call that the U.S. plans to address security guarantees once an agreement is reached, Politico reported.
US to discuss Ukraine security guarantees after peace deal signed, Rubio tells allies
Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured allies during a Nov. 25 call that the U.S. plans to address security guarantees once an agreement is reached, Politico reported.
kyivindependent.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:57 AM
So they don’t actually want a deal.
How could Ukraine possibly agree to a peace deal without knowing what security guarantees there were first?
How could Ukraine possibly agree to a peace deal without knowing what security guarantees there were first?
We grabbed a timelapse of the comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) tonight at the Alston Observatory. This is the comet that has broken apart.
It is really moving. This motion is only over about 40 minutes.
youtu.be/xDL_k6tpGOA
It is really moving. This motion is only over about 40 minutes.
youtu.be/xDL_k6tpGOA
Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)
YouTube video by Mark Norris
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 12:38 AM
We grabbed a timelapse of the comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) tonight at the Alston Observatory. This is the comet that has broken apart.
It is really moving. This motion is only over about 40 minutes.
youtu.be/xDL_k6tpGOA
It is really moving. This motion is only over about 40 minutes.
youtu.be/xDL_k6tpGOA
Reposted by Mark A. Norris
More space junk in the news! The crew rotation on the Chinese space station was disrupted last week due to space debris cracking the glass in a window of the Shenzhou 20 capsule. In between meetings I've been doing media interviews about the problem - and why debris is becoming a regular issue.
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 PM
More space junk in the news! The crew rotation on the Chinese space station was disrupted last week due to space debris cracking the glass in a window of the Shenzhou 20 capsule. In between meetings I've been doing media interviews about the problem - and why debris is becoming a regular issue.