Paul Voosen
@voosen.me
Dad of two. Earth, climate, and planetary science reporter @Science.org magazine. Mistrusts narratives; still writes them.
https://www.science.org/content/author/paul-voosen
https://sciencemastodon.com/@voooos
[email protected]
Signal: @voosen.01
https://www.science.org/content/author/paul-voosen
https://sciencemastodon.com/@voooos
[email protected]
Signal: @voosen.01
Pinned
Paul Voosen
@voosen.me
· Mar 5
Finally pinning this. To reach me on Signal, while using your personal device, scan this QR code or click this link:
signal.me#eu/U1ryqcv4c...
signal.me#eu/U1ryqcv4c...
My latest: Let's start with the easy part. Yes, long-lived airplane contrails warm the Earth and it's great to not do that. But just how much they warm, and where -- and how much more CO2 you can add to the atmosphere to avoid them?
That's where it gets harder.
That's where it gets harder.
Airplane contrails may not be the climate villain once feared
Studies raise questions about the benefits of adjusting flight paths to minimize heat-trapping clouds
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
My latest: Let's start with the easy part. Yes, long-lived airplane contrails warm the Earth and it's great to not do that. But just how much they warm, and where -- and how much more CO2 you can add to the atmosphere to avoid them?
That's where it gets harder.
That's where it gets harder.
Reposted by Paul Voosen
Hi freelancers, I just posted a call for pitches for @technologyreview.com's upcoming print issue. The theme is Nature. Pitch deadline is December 5. More info here! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
#writingopportunity | Rachel Courtland
#WritingOpportunity: MIT Technology Review is seeking pitches for an upcoming print issue. The theme is Nature.
We're looking for pitches for longer pieces: narrative features, compelling investigati...
www.linkedin.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Hi freelancers, I just posted a call for pitches for @technologyreview.com's upcoming print issue. The theme is Nature. Pitch deadline is December 5. More info here! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Reposted by Paul Voosen
Science People: We at NSF are still recovering/catching up/getting our lives together. But the agency posted these FAQs about post-shutdown resumption of operations which might answer a lot of Qs for you: www.nsf.gov/resumption-o...
Resumption of Operations at NSF
Information for NSF staff and the research community regarding the agency's resumption of operations after a lapse in appropriations.
www.nsf.gov
November 18, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Science People: We at NSF are still recovering/catching up/getting our lives together. But the agency posted these FAQs about post-shutdown resumption of operations which might answer a lot of Qs for you: www.nsf.gov/resumption-o...
My latest for @science.org: A remarkable set of high-resolution climate model runs, computed over 900 (!) days of supercomputing time, are revealing how warming-induced changes to Earth's wind patterns due can prime huge spikes in extreme rainfall.
But the MESACLIP runs also do much more than that.
But the MESACLIP runs also do much more than that.
High-resolution climate model forecasts a wet, turbulent future
With details as fine as short-term weather forecasts, model achieves newfound accuracy
www.science.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
My latest for @science.org: A remarkable set of high-resolution climate model runs, computed over 900 (!) days of supercomputing time, are revealing how warming-induced changes to Earth's wind patterns due can prime huge spikes in extreme rainfall.
But the MESACLIP runs also do much more than that.
But the MESACLIP runs also do much more than that.
Reposted by Paul Voosen
❄️The Antarctic field season has officially started! EarthScope engineers at McMurdo Station are kicking things off by testing seismometers and magnetotelluric equipment before these instruments are installed in the field. #FieldworkFriday
📷Photo: Sam Jannke/EarthScope
📷Photo: Sam Jannke/EarthScope
November 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
❄️The Antarctic field season has officially started! EarthScope engineers at McMurdo Station are kicking things off by testing seismometers and magnetotelluric equipment before these instruments are installed in the field. #FieldworkFriday
📷Photo: Sam Jannke/EarthScope
📷Photo: Sam Jannke/EarthScope
Reposted by Paul Voosen
Huge. If this is successful, it would seem to open the door to these cars really starting to become a viable transportation option.
Anyway, Waymo is going to do rides on freeways now www.nbcnews.com/tech/innovat...
Waymo says its self-driving taxis will take customers on freeways for the first time
Waymo, a spinoff from Google, is expanding its autonomous vehicles rapidly in the face of competition from Tesla’s planned robotaxi service.
www.nbcnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Huge. If this is successful, it would seem to open the door to these cars really starting to become a viable transportation option.
As our coverage last year pointed to, using AI to combine SWOT-derived gravity measurements from space with seafloor sonar soundings is already producing stellar global bathymetry models. One new example here:
SWOT Global Bathymetry Modeling Using Deep Neural Networks Trained on Multiple Geophysical Features
BathDNN25 is a global bathymetry model trained with a deep neural network using SWOT-derived geophysical features Multiple input features (gravity anomalies, vertical gravity gradient, band-pass ...
agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
As our coverage last year pointed to, using AI to combine SWOT-derived gravity measurements from space with seafloor sonar soundings is already producing stellar global bathymetry models. One new example here:
Reposted by Paul Voosen
Today's the big day — we're officially on strike all day! We'll be picketing from 8am to 8pm at 1776 Massachusetts NW. Come show your support! @wbng.org @newsguild.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Today's the big day — we're officially on strike all day! We'll be picketing from 8am to 8pm at 1776 Massachusetts NW. Come show your support! @wbng.org @newsguild.org
Reposted by Paul Voosen
Per NOAA/AOML/HRD’s Sim Aberson, the 219 kt reading will be the fastest wind ever measured by a dropsonde if it passes final quality-control checks.
This is hands down the most extraordinary dropsonde in Atlantic recon history.
October 28, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Per NOAA/AOML/HRD’s Sim Aberson, the 219 kt reading will be the fastest wind ever measured by a dropsonde if it passes final quality-control checks.
ICYMI: NSF has followed through with its plan to end the lease on its Antarctic icebreaker, many years before necessary, with almost no congressional pushback. Now there's a mad scramble to fill the gap with less capable ships. @science.org's Jeff Mervis followed the story up:
Doing research in Antarctica was plenty hard before NSF cancelled its lease on its main ship, the Nathaniel Palmer. Read how scientists are coping. www.science.org/content/arti...
How NSF hopes to keep Antarctic scientists afloat without an icebreaker
Ending Palmer lease is one of many belt-tightening moves amid budget uncertainty
www.science.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
ICYMI: NSF has followed through with its plan to end the lease on its Antarctic icebreaker, many years before necessary, with almost no congressional pushback. Now there's a mad scramble to fill the gap with less capable ships. @science.org's Jeff Mervis followed the story up:
If you listen closely enough, the sea can tell you how humanity is changing it.
Like, literally. The sound of breaking waves can now be used to measure ocean acidification.
Like, literally. The sound of breaking waves can now be used to measure ocean acidification.
Ambient noise can track dangerous ocean acidification
Acoustic technique could make it easier to monitor threat to marine life stemming from rising carbon emissions
www.science.org
October 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
If you listen closely enough, the sea can tell you how humanity is changing it.
Like, literally. The sound of breaking waves can now be used to measure ocean acidification.
Like, literally. The sound of breaking waves can now be used to measure ocean acidification.
This is the second part of the work we covered here, highlighting that CO2 is the dominant forcer in temperature and sea level changes during ice age cycles.
(It's also a great chance for others to cover; this has not been widely reported. There's even an old ice core now that can test this!)
(It's also a great chance for others to cover; this has not been widely reported. There's even an old ice core now that can test this!)
October 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This is the second part of the work we covered here, highlighting that CO2 is the dominant forcer in temperature and sea level changes during ice age cycles.
(It's also a great chance for others to cover; this has not been widely reported. There's even an old ice core now that can test this!)
(It's also a great chance for others to cover; this has not been widely reported. There's even an old ice core now that can test this!)
So I've been away.
For the past month and a half, my family and I have been navigating the end of my sister's life, from the ICU to, last weekend, interment of her ashes. She was wonderful and sharp, and I'm grateful for the 14 extra years that breakthroughs in targeted chemo gave us with her.
For the past month and a half, my family and I have been navigating the end of my sister's life, from the ICU to, last weekend, interment of her ashes. She was wonderful and sharp, and I'm grateful for the 14 extra years that breakthroughs in targeted chemo gave us with her.
Liesl Marie Voosen Fields Obituary | 1977 - 2025 | The Salem News
View Liesl Marie Voosen Fields's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 5 tribute posts from the community.
obituaries.salemnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM
So I've been away.
For the past month and a half, my family and I have been navigating the end of my sister's life, from the ICU to, last weekend, interment of her ashes. She was wonderful and sharp, and I'm grateful for the 14 extra years that breakthroughs in targeted chemo gave us with her.
For the past month and a half, my family and I have been navigating the end of my sister's life, from the ICU to, last weekend, interment of her ashes. She was wonderful and sharp, and I'm grateful for the 14 extra years that breakthroughs in targeted chemo gave us with her.
Reposted by Paul Voosen
So very excited to share this news
excited to share that we are following through on our earlier commitments and putting together an independent+neutral organization to house the DID PLC system, includes the directory service
Creating an Independent Public Ledger of Credentials (PLC) Directory Organization | Bluesky
The Bluesky Social app is built on an open network protocol that refers to each user by a unique Decentralized Identifier, or DID (a W3C standard). The most popular supported DID method was developed ...
docs.bsky.app
September 19, 2025 at 10:42 AM
So very excited to share this news
Just in from the @planetarysociety.bsky.social: The counter CR proposed by the Dems to keep the government open includes language protecting NASA missions in "operation, including extended operations, or under development or formulation."
This is not in the CR proposed by House Rs. So we'll see.
This is not in the CR proposed by House Rs. So we'll see.
democrats-appropriations.house.gov
September 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Just in from the @planetarysociety.bsky.social: The counter CR proposed by the Dems to keep the government open includes language protecting NASA missions in "operation, including extended operations, or under development or formulation."
This is not in the CR proposed by House Rs. So we'll see.
This is not in the CR proposed by House Rs. So we'll see.
Reposted by Paul Voosen
I've been asked a few times over the last few days what I think the chances are that the "leopard spots and poppy seeds" on Mars will turn out to be actual evidence of life. People are naturally skeptical given the history of possible signs of life on other planets. Strap in: long thread ahead...
September 16, 2025 at 5:10 AM
I've been asked a few times over the last few days what I think the chances are that the "leopard spots and poppy seeds" on Mars will turn out to be actual evidence of life. People are naturally skeptical given the history of possible signs of life on other planets. Strap in: long thread ahead...
Reposted by Paul Voosen
I'd love to follow other early-career and early-ish-career science journalists on here.
Who's out there? What do you write about?
Please say hi and maybe post a recent story you're proud of — or shout-out someone who's writing great stuff.
#scicomm
Who's out there? What do you write about?
Please say hi and maybe post a recent story you're proud of — or shout-out someone who's writing great stuff.
#scicomm
September 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I'd love to follow other early-career and early-ish-career science journalists on here.
Who's out there? What do you write about?
Please say hi and maybe post a recent story you're proud of — or shout-out someone who's writing great stuff.
#scicomm
Who's out there? What do you write about?
Please say hi and maybe post a recent story you're proud of — or shout-out someone who's writing great stuff.
#scicomm
Reposted by Paul Voosen
Online chatter suggests that the DOE Climate Change (Denying) Working Group has been disbanded and the report will be withdrawn. 😂
Seems that violating FACA and the Information Quality Acts have consequences.
Not seen any official announcement though.
Seems that violating FACA and the Information Quality Acts have consequences.
Not seen any official announcement though.
September 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Online chatter suggests that the DOE Climate Change (Denying) Working Group has been disbanded and the report will be withdrawn. 😂
Seems that violating FACA and the Information Quality Acts have consequences.
Not seen any official announcement though.
Seems that violating FACA and the Information Quality Acts have consequences.
Not seen any official announcement though.
Sorry to miss the debunking and deflating fun on Mars rocks. But this story from last July on this same result is still as relevant today.
NASA says it found possible signs of life on Mars. There are a lot of maybes
Some see hype over intriguing rock as plea for troubled multibillion-dollar Mars Sample Return mission
www.science.org
September 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Sorry to miss the debunking and deflating fun on Mars rocks. But this story from last July on this same result is still as relevant today.
Reposted by Paul Voosen
What's more newsworthy: a NASA briefing about analysis of a Mars rock sampled by Perseverance, or that the briefing will include Sean Duffy, who has not participated in any NASA pressers since being named acting administrator 2 months ago?
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
NASA to Share Details of New Perseverance Mars Rover Finding - NASA
NASA will host a media teleconference at 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 10, to discuss the analysis of a rock sampled by the agency’s Perseverance Mars rover
www.nasa.gov
September 8, 2025 at 10:03 PM
What's more newsworthy: a NASA briefing about analysis of a Mars rock sampled by Perseverance, or that the briefing will include Sean Duffy, who has not participated in any NASA pressers since being named acting administrator 2 months ago?
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
Reposted by Paul Voosen
In the 1st half of 2025, @climate.noaa.gov 's staff were terminated, shutting down daily operations.
Now, former members have joined w/ nonprofit partners to launch Climate.us, where climate info can be safeguarded from politics.
Check out our website and join the effort today.
Now, former members have joined w/ nonprofit partners to launch Climate.us, where climate info can be safeguarded from politics.
Check out our website and join the effort today.
September 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
In the 1st half of 2025, @climate.noaa.gov 's staff were terminated, shutting down daily operations.
Now, former members have joined w/ nonprofit partners to launch Climate.us, where climate info can be safeguarded from politics.
Check out our website and join the effort today.
Now, former members have joined w/ nonprofit partners to launch Climate.us, where climate info can be safeguarded from politics.
Check out our website and join the effort today.
Reposted by Paul Voosen
Every climate model out there has a different AMOC sensitivity to the relatively freshwater introduced by the pacific water flowing in to the North Atlantic (it’s about a psu less).
But wait - how does that scale with the freshwater input by arctic rivers. (Half as important PI) -
But wait - how does that scale with the freshwater input by arctic rivers. (Half as important PI) -
My latest looks at an audacious new geoengineering proposal: Damming the Bering Strait to save the Atlantic's overturning circulation from collapse.
It would bring all the ecological, social, and political problems -- and it could cause the collapse it's trying to forestall. (Or not.)
It would bring all the ecological, social, and political problems -- and it could cause the collapse it's trying to forestall. (Or not.)
Could a giant dam save the Atlantic currents that keep Europe warm?
Geoengineering scheme that would block the Bering Strait could kill the ocean circulation it’s meant to protect, researchers warn
www.science.org
September 6, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Every climate model out there has a different AMOC sensitivity to the relatively freshwater introduced by the pacific water flowing in to the North Atlantic (it’s about a psu less).
But wait - how does that scale with the freshwater input by arctic rivers. (Half as important PI) -
But wait - how does that scale with the freshwater input by arctic rivers. (Half as important PI) -
Reposted by Paul Voosen
The Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) put together an anonymous survey to better understand the challenges faced by Arctic researchers under the current U.S. landscape to determine how to best support researchers. Complete the survey here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Survey on Recent Policies Impacting U.S. Arctic Research
The Arctic research community is experiencing significant impacts from recent U.S. policy actions, affecting funding, careers, international collaboration, and long-term U.S. Arctic research capacity....
docs.google.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) put together an anonymous survey to better understand the challenges faced by Arctic researchers under the current U.S. landscape to determine how to best support researchers. Complete the survey here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
My latest looks at an audacious new geoengineering proposal: Damming the Bering Strait to save the Atlantic's overturning circulation from collapse.
It would bring all the ecological, social, and political problems -- and it could cause the collapse it's trying to forestall. (Or not.)
It would bring all the ecological, social, and political problems -- and it could cause the collapse it's trying to forestall. (Or not.)
Could a giant dam save the Atlantic currents that keep Europe warm?
Geoengineering scheme that would block the Bering Strait could kill the ocean circulation it’s meant to protect, researchers warn
www.science.org
September 5, 2025 at 10:46 PM
My latest looks at an audacious new geoengineering proposal: Damming the Bering Strait to save the Atlantic's overturning circulation from collapse.
It would bring all the ecological, social, and political problems -- and it could cause the collapse it's trying to forestall. (Or not.)
It would bring all the ecological, social, and political problems -- and it could cause the collapse it's trying to forestall. (Or not.)
Reposted by Paul Voosen
This is incredible work.
In a just world it would win some major reporting awards. I’m saying that now bc I don’t think it will. There’s a particular kind of scoop you only get by being a really effing good beat reporter for a long time who sources trust. Investigative reporting doesn’t prize that.
In a just world it would win some major reporting awards. I’m saying that now bc I don’t think it will. There’s a particular kind of scoop you only get by being a really effing good beat reporter for a long time who sources trust. Investigative reporting doesn’t prize that.
🚨EXCLUSIVE:
Federal judges tell NBC News the Supreme Court has got to do a better job of explaining emergency rulings, with frequent decisions in favor of Trump at least appearing to validate harsh criticism of the judiciary at a time of rising threats:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
Federal judges tell NBC News the Supreme Court has got to do a better job of explaining emergency rulings, with frequent decisions in favor of Trump at least appearing to validate harsh criticism of the judiciary at a time of rising threats:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
In rare interviews, federal judges criticize Supreme Court's handling of Trump cases
Ten judges tell NBC News the Supreme Court needs to explain its rulings better, with some urging Chief Justice John Roberts to do more to defend the judiciary against external criticism.
www.nbcnews.com
September 4, 2025 at 12:26 PM
This is incredible work.
In a just world it would win some major reporting awards. I’m saying that now bc I don’t think it will. There’s a particular kind of scoop you only get by being a really effing good beat reporter for a long time who sources trust. Investigative reporting doesn’t prize that.
In a just world it would win some major reporting awards. I’m saying that now bc I don’t think it will. There’s a particular kind of scoop you only get by being a really effing good beat reporter for a long time who sources trust. Investigative reporting doesn’t prize that.