Sean D. Johnson
@seanjohnson.bsky.social
Extragalactic astronomer; LSA Collegiate Fellow & Assistant Professor at @michiganastro. Dog lover. Pronouns: he/him/his 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
NSF Update
Funding curve overall. A little bit of progress in the past week, but only a little bit.
Now by Directorate...
1/11
Funding curve overall. A little bit of progress in the past week, but only a little bit.
Now by Directorate...
1/11
February 13, 2026 at 9:22 PM
NSF Update
Funding curve overall. A little bit of progress in the past week, but only a little bit.
Now by Directorate...
1/11
Funding curve overall. A little bit of progress in the past week, but only a little bit.
Now by Directorate...
1/11
The push polls from Haley Steven’s campaign could really use some work.
February 14, 2026 at 1:40 AM
The push polls from Haley Steven’s campaign could really use some work.
Of all the sort-of traditional Super Bowl foods to invoke in the middle of a racist tirade, meatloaf is quite the choice.
February 10, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Of all the sort-of traditional Super Bowl foods to invoke in the middle of a racist tirade, meatloaf is quite the choice.
Why didn’t anyone tell me Al Ameer opened a location in Canton?!? This is amazing news
February 7, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Why didn’t anyone tell me Al Ameer opened a location in Canton?!? This is amazing news
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
"Recent changes in the law did not force Texas A&M to eliminate entire fields of study related to race, gender and sexuality. That was a choice made by our regents. They are overachievers in their subservience to powerful politicians."
February 6, 2026 at 7:31 PM
"Recent changes in the law did not force Texas A&M to eliminate entire fields of study related to race, gender and sexuality. That was a choice made by our regents. They are overachievers in their subservience to powerful politicians."
Questions for UMich admin+Regents about its new policy on policing gender in intramural sports:
1) why discriminate against students, faculty, & staff in violation of MI law+MI Supreme Court precedent to comply with an EO, which is not law, & which you didn’t try to challenge?
2) UNO?… really?
1) why discriminate against students, faculty, & staff in violation of MI law+MI Supreme Court precedent to comply with an EO, which is not law, & which you didn’t try to challenge?
2) UNO?… really?
February 7, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Questions for UMich admin+Regents about its new policy on policing gender in intramural sports:
1) why discriminate against students, faculty, & staff in violation of MI law+MI Supreme Court precedent to comply with an EO, which is not law, & which you didn’t try to challenge?
2) UNO?… really?
1) why discriminate against students, faculty, & staff in violation of MI law+MI Supreme Court precedent to comply with an EO, which is not law, & which you didn’t try to challenge?
2) UNO?… really?
We’ve had an induction stove for five years and I’m still amazed by the low-end heat control. Made carbonara directly on the stovetop tonight, and it was downright easy.
That and some guanciale from Zingerman’s made it about as good as I’ve had in Italy.
That and some guanciale from Zingerman’s made it about as good as I’ve had in Italy.
a man in a chef 's hat is holding a spoon in his mouth
Alt: A muppet in a chef 's hat dancing while drumming with spoons
media.tenor.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:53 AM
We’ve had an induction stove for five years and I’m still amazed by the low-end heat control. Made carbonara directly on the stovetop tonight, and it was downright easy.
That and some guanciale from Zingerman’s made it about as good as I’ve had in Italy.
That and some guanciale from Zingerman’s made it about as good as I’ve had in Italy.
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
This was a chilling email to receive tonight, the government's ethnic cleansing campaign continues and now (at least for the moment) it's happening in my oldest son's school district
Michigan folks: Ypsilanti Community Schools confirm several parents taken into custody by ICE.
Not in my fuckin town.
Not in my fuckin town.
January 28, 2026 at 1:45 AM
This was a chilling email to receive tonight, the government's ethnic cleansing campaign continues and now (at least for the moment) it's happening in my oldest son's school district
Thomas Friedman continues to be incredibly bad at his job.
January 25, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Thomas Friedman continues to be incredibly bad at his job.
ICE agents are responsible for the majority of homicides committed in the Twin Cities so far this year.
In most US cities, homicides committed by armed police represent a significant fraction, but I can’t think of any prior examples where it was as high as 2/3.
In most US cities, homicides committed by armed police represent a significant fraction, but I can’t think of any prior examples where it was as high as 2/3.
January 24, 2026 at 8:10 PM
ICE agents are responsible for the majority of homicides committed in the Twin Cities so far this year.
In most US cities, homicides committed by armed police represent a significant fraction, but I can’t think of any prior examples where it was as high as 2/3.
In most US cities, homicides committed by armed police represent a significant fraction, but I can’t think of any prior examples where it was as high as 2/3.
Broke out my mittens for the first time since leaving Chicago 10 years ago. Exciting!
a man in a hooded jacket is being held by a woman in a grey sweater
Alt: a boy in a heavy hooded jacket, so puffy he is unable to put his arms down. His mother is wrapping a scarf over his face
media.tenor.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Broke out my mittens for the first time since leaving Chicago 10 years ago. Exciting!
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Jan 24 AOL: Under increasing pressure from the Trump admin. CA's largest pediatric hospital system will stop providing GAC for minors. Rady Children's Health including Children's Hospital of Orange Cty, Children's Hospital San Diego & Rady Children's in Riverside Cty.
California's largest pediatric healthcare system to halt transgender care amid Trump administration threats
Rady Children's Health, the largest pediatric healthcare system in California, will stop providing gender-affirming medical care to transgender youth amid pressure from the federal government.
www.aol.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:21 AM
@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Jan 24 AOL: Under increasing pressure from the Trump admin. CA's largest pediatric hospital system will stop providing GAC for minors. Rady Children's Health including Children's Hospital of Orange Cty, Children's Hospital San Diego & Rady Children's in Riverside Cty.
Chat, if the Moon is rising at midnight, what phase is the moon? Draw a diagram.
UMGPT:
Sunlight
|
V
[Sun]---->[Earth]---->[Moon]
| midnight | (midnight rise)
Chat, where does sunlight come from? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?!?
UMGPT:
Sunlight
|
V
[Sun]---->[Earth]---->[Moon]
| midnight | (midnight rise)
Chat, where does sunlight come from? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?!?
January 18, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Chat, if the Moon is rising at midnight, what phase is the moon? Draw a diagram.
UMGPT:
Sunlight
|
V
[Sun]---->[Earth]---->[Moon]
| midnight | (midnight rise)
Chat, where does sunlight come from? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?!?
UMGPT:
Sunlight
|
V
[Sun]---->[Earth]---->[Moon]
| midnight | (midnight rise)
Chat, where does sunlight come from? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?!?
Back on sky!
“Fuck, the telescope crashed”—Mauricio
Definitely not a good way to start the night, but grateful to everyone at LCO who rushed to Baade to try and get it working tonight.
Definitely not a good way to start the night, but grateful to everyone at LCO who rushed to Baade to try and get it working tonight.
January 18, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Back on sky!
“Fuck, the telescope crashed”—Mauricio
Definitely not a good way to start the night, but grateful to everyone at LCO who rushed to Baade to try and get it working tonight.
Definitely not a good way to start the night, but grateful to everyone at LCO who rushed to Baade to try and get it working tonight.
January 18, 2026 at 2:00 AM
“Fuck, the telescope crashed”—Mauricio
Definitely not a good way to start the night, but grateful to everyone at LCO who rushed to Baade to try and get it working tonight.
Definitely not a good way to start the night, but grateful to everyone at LCO who rushed to Baade to try and get it working tonight.
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
He told the UofC Chronicle: “My mother raised three children on Social Security and part-time employment.. The chance I have had in life is rare, so my involvement in the public schools is payback, if you will.. Public schools are really the only vehicle that reaches into all corners of society.”
January 16, 2026 at 4:26 AM
He told the UofC Chronicle: “My mother raised three children on Social Security and part-time employment.. The chance I have had in life is rare, so my involvement in the public schools is payback, if you will.. Public schools are really the only vehicle that reaches into all corners of society.”
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
Most people know Don's work on the SDSS; but at he was also deeply engaged in community education projects. He co-founded the Chicago Public Schools/University of Chicago Internet Project, which brought the Internet to 24 schools in the University's neighborhood.
January 16, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Most people know Don's work on the SDSS; but at he was also deeply engaged in community education projects. He co-founded the Chicago Public Schools/University of Chicago Internet Project, which brought the Internet to 24 schools in the University's neighborhood.
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
Don was an exceptional scientist and mentor, and one of the best humans I've ever known. He had a profoundly positive impact on my life, and I'm really going to miss him. news.uchicago.edu/story/donald...
Donald G. York, co-founder of Sloan Digital Sky Survey and ‘visionary’ astronomer, 1944-2025
UChicago professor emeritus helped transform modern astronomy, mapped interstellar medium
news.uchicago.edu
January 16, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Don was an exceptional scientist and mentor, and one of the best humans I've ever known. He had a profoundly positive impact on my life, and I'm really going to miss him. news.uchicago.edu/story/donald...
Walked past a very odd "Uncensored America" tent while walking across the Diag this evening and overheard some wildly misogynistic statements...
I'm shocked, shocked to find that they are now throwing Nazi salutes.
I'm shocked, shocked to find that they are now throwing Nazi salutes.
January 16, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Walked past a very odd "Uncensored America" tent while walking across the Diag this evening and overheard some wildly misogynistic statements...
I'm shocked, shocked to find that they are now throwing Nazi salutes.
I'm shocked, shocked to find that they are now throwing Nazi salutes.
I can’t believe this crap worked on Walz. They’re gunna run the same play again and again now.
January 6, 2026 at 2:11 AM
I can’t believe this crap worked on Walz. They’re gunna run the same play again and again now.
Is downtown Ann Arbor dying with businesses closing left and right?
Or is it so desirable that the ultra wealthy own a large fraction of apartments as second homes that are empty much of the year?
WHICH ONE??
Or is it so desirable that the ultra wealthy own a large fraction of apartments as second homes that are empty much of the year?
WHICH ONE??
January 5, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Is downtown Ann Arbor dying with businesses closing left and right?
Or is it so desirable that the ultra wealthy own a large fraction of apartments as second homes that are empty much of the year?
WHICH ONE??
Or is it so desirable that the ultra wealthy own a large fraction of apartments as second homes that are empty much of the year?
WHICH ONE??
So listen, I’m sure it would have turned out differently if, instead of assassinating Archduke Ferdinand, they’d just bombed Vienna and captured Archduke Ludwig.
January 3, 2026 at 2:42 PM
So listen, I’m sure it would have turned out differently if, instead of assassinating Archduke Ferdinand, they’d just bombed Vienna and captured Archduke Ludwig.
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
The FDA says tight underwear is a medical device if trans people enjoy wearing it.
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
FDA Threatens Companies Selling Binders — Assigned
The FDA sent twelve businesses threatening letters on Tuesday, demanding that they register their chest binders as medical devices with the FDA.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The FDA says tight underwear is a medical device if trans people enjoy wearing it.
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
Trans youth healthcare is based in decades of research and supported by every major medical organization in the US. Under RFK Jr, a handpicked panel produced a dodgy report claiming otherwise.
It's a clear example of Kennedy's war on science. So why aren't news organizations treating it that way?
It's a clear example of Kennedy's war on science. So why aren't news organizations treating it that way?
The Neglected Front in RFK Jr.’s War on Science — Assigned
As trans healthcare is decimated no one is standing up for the integrity of the scientific process for these patients.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Trans youth healthcare is based in decades of research and supported by every major medical organization in the US. Under RFK Jr, a handpicked panel produced a dodgy report claiming otherwise.
It's a clear example of Kennedy's war on science. So why aren't news organizations treating it that way?
It's a clear example of Kennedy's war on science. So why aren't news organizations treating it that way?
On the way back home after a week out of the country, and the number of cruel and heartrending policy decisions that directly impact my family is astounding. All expected, but still.
And also, somehow, Hunger Games???
And also, somehow, Hunger Games???
December 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
On the way back home after a week out of the country, and the number of cruel and heartrending policy decisions that directly impact my family is astounding. All expected, but still.
And also, somehow, Hunger Games???
And also, somehow, Hunger Games???