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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 22h

Sure, go right ahead!

Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 1d

It's hard to say how active the community has been overall. The Planetary Society certainly hosted a great day of action in DC today with lots of support, so that's encouraging!

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Reposted by Stephen Kane

Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · Jun 19

In ~5 years, we as a species are on track to embark on an incredible era of discovery, unlocking the secrets of the planet Venus. The missions @ESA_Envision, DAVINCI, and VERITAS will reveal Venus as we have never seen her before. But why should YOU care about our sister world?

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 7d

Dear colleagues, especially those early career, whatever happens over the coming days/weeks, know that many are fighting for you behind the scenes, including organizations such as @aas.org, @agu.org, and @planetarysociety.bsky.social. We believe in the value of @NASA science!

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 20d

My research group members making fun of me when I have hours left before the Keck deadline ...

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 21d

Ultimately, these results show that dynamical simulations enabled by precision astrometry can now provide results that connect with RV limits, and can teach us a lot about planet formation in binary systems.

Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 21d

Even though giant planets are excluded, it's not all bad news. The Habitable Zone of the primary star (0.764–1.803 AU) is perfectly stable, and the RV data allow for undetected planets possibly residing there, inviting more extreme precision RV measurements.

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 21d

We provided additional RVs and performed injection-recovery tests that exclude giant planets out to ~8 AU from the primary star. The improved binary orbit was used to conduct a dynamical analysis that exclude all planetary orbits down to ... you guessed it ... 8 AU!

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 21d

Eta Cassiopeiae is a bright, well-known binary system consisting of two stars in a 470 year orbit. Recent Gaia data has greatly improved the orbit or the binary, despite its long period. The system has also been monitored via precision RVs for over 30 years.

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 21d

I have a fun new paper out that demonstrates the power of combining radial velocities (RVs), astrometry, and dynamical simulations in understanding planetary system demographics. You can access the paper here: arxiv.org/abs/2509.12334

No Giant Planets in the Eta Cassiopeiae System: Dynamical Implications of a Wide Binary Companion

Given the vast number of stars that exist within binary systems, it remains important to explore the effect of binary star environments on the formation and evolution of exoplanetary systems. Nearby b...

arxiv.org

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 21d

Wow, thank you Steve! In fairness, I do like that song by Europe! But yeah ... those lyrics ...

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 21d

I showed the poem to my oldest daughter and she said "Did AI write that?". Sigh! AI is cool, but I worry that the originality of my creativity will henceforth be doubted.

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 21d

Great article by Robin on the future of Earth, and lessons learned from Venus!

Dr Robin George Andrews @squigglyvolcano.bsky.social · 22d

NEW: It was a delight to contribute to @quantamagazine.bsky.social's stunning new series on climate science! Naturally, my story tended apocalyptic: will Earth ever become a climate hellhole like Venus, the most extreme world in the solar system?

www.quantamagazine.org/why-is-venus...

Why Is Venus Hell and Earth an Eden? | Quanta Magazine

A team of scientists has investigated how Earth’s twin became so inhospitable, and whether the same will happen to our planet.

www.quantamagazine.org

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Reposted by Stephen Kane

ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 26d

Venus is a Solar System enigma.

Although Venus is similar in size and distance from the Sun to Earth, it has evolved very differently from our planet.

Our #Envision mission will aim to solve some of the puzzle by thoroughly studying our closest neighbour.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 🔭

Top five Venus mysteries Envision will solve

Venus is a Solar System enigma. Similar in size to Earth and orbiting the Sun at a similar distance, it is remarkable how the two planets evolved so differently. While conditions on Earth allowed life...

www.esa.int

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 27d

Accurate.

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 27d

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, "The Friends of Voltaire" (1906).

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 27d

They're not pets. They're cannon fodder for falling Death Star debris. Oh, and they're also cannibals.

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 27d

a close up of a man in a blue shirt making a stop gesture .

ALT: a close up of a man in a blue shirt making a stop gesture .

media.tenor.com

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 27d

It has a disproportionately large core, likely due to mantle stripping.

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 28d

Beautifully said Edwin!

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 28d

There should be more referee reports that contain Monty Python references. Whoever you are, just know that I appreciate you, you magnificent bastard!

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 28d

In my dreams the sky is burning.
A pressure none has ever known.
Basaltic plains recall their oceans.
Whispers fossilized in stone.
Gold light shining above the land.
That once knew a gentler breeze.
Yet through the acid rain I wonder.
The untold mysteries of ancient seas.

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 28d

More information is available via the Planetary Society (@planetarysociety.bsky.social) including talking points and how to contact your local representatives. www.planetary.org/action-center

Action Center

Whether it's advocating, teaching, inspiring, or learning, you can do something for space, right now. Let's get to work.

www.planetary.org

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · 28d

The space advocacy efforts continue and science remains at risk! This week, the House CJS subcommittee are marking up their CJS bill, and it is critical that NASA funding is restored. Please consider contacting one of the subcommittee members: appropriations.house.gov/subcommittee...

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

appropriations.house.gov

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Stephen Kane @exocytherean.bsky.social · Aug 26

Visiting #NASAGoddard, home to some of the most brilliant people I know and a national treasure. The research and technology work carried out here per dollar spent is astoundingly high, ensures US leadership in space sciences, and should be preserved at all costs.

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