Paul Byrne
@theplanetaryguy.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science at Washington University in St. Louis • Planetary Data System Geosciences Node Director • Planetary Bastard • he/him/Sir
Pinned
Paul Byrne
@theplanetaryguy.bsky.social
· Nov 24
Open this photo up and look for the small, white dot just left of centre.
It looks like Venus, shining brightly in the twilight sky.
But it's us.
It's Earth.
From Mars.
It looks like Venus, shining brightly in the twilight sky.
But it's us.
It's Earth.
From Mars.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
The same amount of time has now elapsed between when Raiders of the Lost Ark was released (1981) and when it was set (1936) as when it was released and today (45 years).
I find this... offensive.
I find this... offensive.
January 10, 2026 at 2:52 AM
The same amount of time has now elapsed between when Raiders of the Lost Ark was released (1981) and when it was set (1936) as when it was released and today (45 years).
I find this... offensive.
I find this... offensive.
The same amount of time has now elapsed between when Raiders of the Lost Ark was released (1981) and when it was set (1936) as when it was released and today (45 years).
I find this... offensive.
I find this... offensive.
January 10, 2026 at 2:52 AM
The same amount of time has now elapsed between when Raiders of the Lost Ark was released (1981) and when it was set (1936) as when it was released and today (45 years).
I find this... offensive.
I find this... offensive.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Planetary friends!
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
PSCW 2026
planetaryworkshop.org
January 9, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Planetary friends!
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
Reposted by Paul Byrne
I submitted an abstract to LPSC 2026.
I wanted to see how many abstracts were submitted this year. Mine went in at 11:58 pm Central, so is among the last to go in. It will be rejected, but for the student rate ($35) it was worth the experiment.
(1/2)
I wanted to see how many abstracts were submitted this year. Mine went in at 11:58 pm Central, so is among the last to go in. It will be rejected, but for the student rate ($35) it was worth the experiment.
(1/2)
January 9, 2026 at 6:03 AM
I submitted an abstract to LPSC 2026.
I wanted to see how many abstracts were submitted this year. Mine went in at 11:58 pm Central, so is among the last to go in. It will be rejected, but for the student rate ($35) it was worth the experiment.
(1/2)
I wanted to see how many abstracts were submitted this year. Mine went in at 11:58 pm Central, so is among the last to go in. It will be rejected, but for the student rate ($35) it was worth the experiment.
(1/2)
I submitted an abstract to LPSC 2026.
I wanted to see how many abstracts were submitted this year. Mine went in at 11:58 pm Central, so is among the last to go in. It will be rejected, but for the student rate ($35) it was worth the experiment.
(1/2)
I wanted to see how many abstracts were submitted this year. Mine went in at 11:58 pm Central, so is among the last to go in. It will be rejected, but for the student rate ($35) it was worth the experiment.
(1/2)
January 9, 2026 at 6:03 AM
I submitted an abstract to LPSC 2026.
I wanted to see how many abstracts were submitted this year. Mine went in at 11:58 pm Central, so is among the last to go in. It will be rejected, but for the student rate ($35) it was worth the experiment.
(1/2)
I wanted to see how many abstracts were submitted this year. Mine went in at 11:58 pm Central, so is among the last to go in. It will be rejected, but for the student rate ($35) it was worth the experiment.
(1/2)
Reposted by Paul Byrne
I invite all Americans to join Minnesota in a day of unity tomorrow.
January 9, 2026 at 12:15 AM
I invite all Americans to join Minnesota in a day of unity tomorrow.
Planetary friends!
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
PSCW 2026
planetaryworkshop.org
January 9, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Planetary friends!
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
Don't want to go to Houston in March, or support an institute that's bending the knee?
Then join us for the very first Planetary Science Community Workshop in Louisville, KY on April 14–16, 2026.
It's our community. Fight for it!
Details at the link:
planetaryworkshop.org
What's frustrating is the number of outlets that position this as a two-sides thing.
There aren't two sides to this.
There's observational fact and there's straight up lying, and I am sick of the media pretending it's anything else.
There aren't two sides to this.
There's observational fact and there's straight up lying, and I am sick of the media pretending it's anything else.
For those keeping score, Bellingcat, The New York Times Visual Investigation Team, & Washington Post's Visual Forensic team have all published analysis showing the ICE shooter wasn't in the path of Renee Nicole Good’s vehicle when he shot her, contradicting statements by the President & his cronies
January 8, 2026 at 8:04 PM
What's frustrating is the number of outlets that position this as a two-sides thing.
There aren't two sides to this.
There's observational fact and there's straight up lying, and I am sick of the media pretending it's anything else.
There aren't two sides to this.
There's observational fact and there's straight up lying, and I am sick of the media pretending it's anything else.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Nothing so perfectly proves the concept of whiteness as a social construct than the reality that white people who stand up for minorities forfeit some of the protections that whiteness afforded them.
January 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Nothing so perfectly proves the concept of whiteness as a social construct than the reality that white people who stand up for minorities forfeit some of the protections that whiteness afforded them.
Let's make sure this fucker goes to trial so
This is exactly what I told someone yesterday.
Even if I spot you the first shot (I shouldn’t, but let’s go with that), shots 2 and 3 were inexcusable and this officer will lose his case if it ever goes to court.
Even if I spot you the first shot (I shouldn’t, but let’s go with that), shots 2 and 3 were inexcusable and this officer will lose his case if it ever goes to court.
January 8, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Let's make sure this fucker goes to trial so
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Here's a small timeline cleanse.
This is part of a much larger deep-field image from #JWST, and shows just how absurdly big the Universe is.
It's a tiny part of the Boötes constellation, about 2.4 arc minutes across. Every six-sided feature is a star in the Milky Way.
Everything else is a galaxy.
This is part of a much larger deep-field image from #JWST, and shows just how absurdly big the Universe is.
It's a tiny part of the Boötes constellation, about 2.4 arc minutes across. Every six-sided feature is a star in the Milky Way.
Everything else is a galaxy.
January 7, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Here's a small timeline cleanse.
This is part of a much larger deep-field image from #JWST, and shows just how absurdly big the Universe is.
It's a tiny part of the Boötes constellation, about 2.4 arc minutes across. Every six-sided feature is a star in the Milky Way.
Everything else is a galaxy.
This is part of a much larger deep-field image from #JWST, and shows just how absurdly big the Universe is.
It's a tiny part of the Boötes constellation, about 2.4 arc minutes across. Every six-sided feature is a star in the Milky Way.
Everything else is a galaxy.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Reposted by Paul Byrne
A friend in Minneapolis just sent me this video. Looks like thousands have come together for a vigil after an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. This was my neighborhood for several years before coming to Portland.
January 8, 2026 at 1:05 AM
A friend in Minneapolis just sent me this video. Looks like thousands have come together for a vigil after an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. This was my neighborhood for several years before coming to Portland.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Reposted by Paul Byrne
I refuse to stay silent while Secretary Noem breaks the rule of law and terrorizes our communities. I am introducing Articles of Impeachment against her for violating the public trust, obstructing Congress, and self-dealing. Read my full statement: robinkelly.house.gov/media-center...
Rep. Kelly announces plans to impeach Secretary Kristi Noem
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) announced plans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
robinkelly.house.gov
January 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM
I refuse to stay silent while Secretary Noem breaks the rule of law and terrorizes our communities. I am introducing Articles of Impeachment against her for violating the public trust, obstructing Congress, and self-dealing. Read my full statement: robinkelly.house.gov/media-center...
Here's a small timeline cleanse.
This is part of a much larger deep-field image from #JWST, and shows just how absurdly big the Universe is.
It's a tiny part of the Boötes constellation, about 2.4 arc minutes across. Every six-sided feature is a star in the Milky Way.
Everything else is a galaxy.
This is part of a much larger deep-field image from #JWST, and shows just how absurdly big the Universe is.
It's a tiny part of the Boötes constellation, about 2.4 arc minutes across. Every six-sided feature is a star in the Milky Way.
Everything else is a galaxy.
January 7, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Here's a small timeline cleanse.
This is part of a much larger deep-field image from #JWST, and shows just how absurdly big the Universe is.
It's a tiny part of the Boötes constellation, about 2.4 arc minutes across. Every six-sided feature is a star in the Milky Way.
Everything else is a galaxy.
This is part of a much larger deep-field image from #JWST, and shows just how absurdly big the Universe is.
It's a tiny part of the Boötes constellation, about 2.4 arc minutes across. Every six-sided feature is a star in the Milky Way.
Everything else is a galaxy.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
The “prosecute the former regime at every level” candidate has my vote in 2028.
January 7, 2026 at 8:26 PM
The “prosecute the former regime at every level” candidate has my vote in 2028.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
The stakes have been raised. The Democrats have got to run on putting these people in prison. They have to. Jobs, food, all the rest, but shooting a mother in the head on a public street? None of this Garland stuff. "The full force of the government will be brought to bear" on this and similar.
January 7, 2026 at 9:57 PM
The stakes have been raised. The Democrats have got to run on putting these people in prison. They have to. Jobs, food, all the rest, but shooting a mother in the head on a public street? None of this Garland stuff. "The full force of the government will be brought to bear" on this and similar.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
The murdered woman's glove compartment is filled with stuffed animals.
January 7, 2026 at 8:20 PM
The murdered woman's glove compartment is filled with stuffed animals.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
The woman shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis waved not once, but twice, for officers to go ahead and proceed around her car which starts and stops briefly as she tries to wave officers through. During her second wave, she is at a dead stop when officers stop and get out of their truck.
January 7, 2026 at 8:49 PM
The woman shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis waved not once, but twice, for officers to go ahead and proceed around her car which starts and stops briefly as she tries to wave officers through. During her second wave, she is at a dead stop when officers stop and get out of their truck.
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Jacob Frey: "To ICE -- get the fuck out of Minneapolis"
January 7, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Jacob Frey: "To ICE -- get the fuck out of Minneapolis"
Reposted by Paul Byrne
New paper alert!
tl;dr: the seafloor of Europa is probably tectonically inert, meaning little to no active fracturing that could expose fresh rock to seawater.
Without such water–rock reactions the prospect for there being life within Europa just took a big hit.
A thread:
tl;dr: the seafloor of Europa is probably tectonically inert, meaning little to no active fracturing that could expose fresh rock to seawater.
Without such water–rock reactions the prospect for there being life within Europa just took a big hit.
A thread:
January 6, 2026 at 5:55 PM
New paper alert!
tl;dr: the seafloor of Europa is probably tectonically inert, meaning little to no active fracturing that could expose fresh rock to seawater.
Without such water–rock reactions the prospect for there being life within Europa just took a big hit.
A thread:
tl;dr: the seafloor of Europa is probably tectonically inert, meaning little to no active fracturing that could expose fresh rock to seawater.
Without such water–rock reactions the prospect for there being life within Europa just took a big hit.
A thread:
Reposted by Paul Byrne
Lit link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
All thanks to the hard work of @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social and the WashU planetary science team. Give it a read, there is much to learn in the quest to seek life, even in the lifeless spaces. 🪐 🛰️ 🧪
All thanks to the hard work of @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social and the WashU planetary science team. Give it a read, there is much to learn in the quest to seek life, even in the lifeless spaces. 🪐 🛰️ 🧪
Little to no active faulting likely at Europa’s seafloor today - Nature Communications
In this study, the authors model the current mechanical properties of the seafloor of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, and find those rocks to be too strong to allow the kind of fracturing that, on Earth, e...
www.nature.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Lit link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
All thanks to the hard work of @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social and the WashU planetary science team. Give it a read, there is much to learn in the quest to seek life, even in the lifeless spaces. 🪐 🛰️ 🧪
All thanks to the hard work of @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social and the WashU planetary science team. Give it a read, there is much to learn in the quest to seek life, even in the lifeless spaces. 🪐 🛰️ 🧪
New paper alert!
tl;dr: the seafloor of Europa is probably tectonically inert, meaning little to no active fracturing that could expose fresh rock to seawater.
Without such water–rock reactions the prospect for there being life within Europa just took a big hit.
A thread:
tl;dr: the seafloor of Europa is probably tectonically inert, meaning little to no active fracturing that could expose fresh rock to seawater.
Without such water–rock reactions the prospect for there being life within Europa just took a big hit.
A thread:
January 6, 2026 at 5:55 PM
New paper alert!
tl;dr: the seafloor of Europa is probably tectonically inert, meaning little to no active fracturing that could expose fresh rock to seawater.
Without such water–rock reactions the prospect for there being life within Europa just took a big hit.
A thread:
tl;dr: the seafloor of Europa is probably tectonically inert, meaning little to no active fracturing that could expose fresh rock to seawater.
Without such water–rock reactions the prospect for there being life within Europa just took a big hit.
A thread: