Mark Marley
@markmarley.bsky.social
1.5K followers 250 following 810 posts
Personal account. Substellar science since the 80s.
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markmarley.bsky.social
I gave a homework assignment in my Exoplanets grad class to define what would be taught as “normal” architecture to grad students in the TRAPPIST-1 system.
drfunkyspoon.bsky.social
We were also taught that (2)
the “architecture” of other planetary systems would likely resemble ours- a few rocky worlds close in and a few gas giants farther out past the “snow line”. The processes that led to that were (we thought) understood. We expected the solar system to be “normal”.
WRONG!
markmarley.bsky.social
The joke that the only time you hear from your adult children is when they need the Netflix code is a bit too close for comfort.
markmarley.bsky.social
Last night at 7PM, a little drama. First time we’ve had two since spring. I was outside around the to the right enjoying the sunset at the time.
markmarley.bsky.social
I happened to see this live. I’m not sure what was spooking him from the roof.
Reposted by Mark Marley
theplanetaryguy.bsky.social
A few hours ago, Comet 3I/ATLAS passed about 28 million km from Mars.

This was the best opportunity we'll have to image the interstellar visitor from spacecraft.

When those data are available, I'll share them!
A screenshot from NASA's Eyes on the Solar System, showing the relative positions of 3I/ATLAS and Mars as of about 1700 Central time today.
Reposted by Mark Marley
kevinhainline.bsky.social
We find these cold brown dwarfs all over the place in the survey. Some of them are so cold that their surface is about the same as what Tucson can get to in the summer. This object, JADES-GS-BD-5, which we observe with NIRCam and MIRI, has a temperature of 322 K, or only 120° Fahrenheit (49° C)!
Another plot from the survey, showing JADES-GS-BD-5, with the observed data points plotted as black points, and the fit as a squiggly line that matches the observed data points well. The distance we predict from the fit is only 70 parsecs, and the temperature is 322 Kelvin. Beneath the fit plot, there are thumbnails showing the object as seen in different NIRCam and MIRI filters, out to 12.8 microns.
Reposted by Mark Marley
joshuajfriedman.com
One of my favorite anecdotes from THE PREHISTORY OF THE FAR SIDE: "That doesn't sound like the Jane Goodall we know."
A few days after this cartoon was published, my syndicate received a very indignant letter from someone representing the Jane Goodall Institute.
Not only did my syndicate and I both get read the Riot Act, there was a vague implication that litigation over this cartoon might be around the corner.
I was horrified. Not so much from a fear of being sued (I just couldn't see how this cartoon could be construed as anything but silly, but because of my deep respect for Jane Goodall and her well-known contributions to pri-matology. The last thing in the world I would have intentionally done was offend Dr. Goodall in any way.
Before I had a chance to write my apology, another complication arose.
The National Geographic Society contacted my syndicate and expressed a desire to reprint the cartoon in a special centennial issue of their magazine. My editor, aware of what had just occurred, declined, explaining why.
Apparently, whoever it was that sent the inquiry from National Geographic was shocked. They told my editor that "that doesn't sound like the Jane Goodall we know." They did some checking themselves, and an interesting fact was eventually discovered: Jane Goodall loved the cartoon. Furthermore, she was totally unaware that any of this "stuff" was going on. Some phone calls were made, and the cartoon was not only reprinted in the centennial issue of National Geographic, but was also used by her Institute on a T-shirt for fund-raising purposes.
I've since had an opportunity to visit Dr. Goodall at her research facility in Gombe. It's a wonderful place (sort of like right out of National Geographic).
"To refer to Dr. Goodall as a tramp is inexcusable even by a self-described 'loony' as Larson. The cartoon was incredibly offensive and in such poor taste that readers might well question the editorial judgment of running such an atrocity in a newspaper that reputes to be supplying news to persons with a better than average intelligence. The cartoon and its message were absolutely stupid." —Excerpt from the above-mentioned letter that started the ruckus
Reposted by Mark Marley
katharinehayhoe.com
The world has lost its most powerful advocate for nature and hope. Yet many remain who will continue her legacy and I know she will continue to inspire generations more.
A screenshot of a post by the Jane Goodall Institute on LinkedIn stating that they learned that Dr. Goodall passed away due to natural causes in California while on her speaking to her current speaking tour there.
Reposted by Mark Marley
uarizonalpl.bsky.social
Make sure the next LPL Evening Lecture is on your calendar! On October 22, Dr. Jack Holt will present "Studying Earth's Glaciers to Unlock Martian Mysteries." We encourage in-person attendees to come early to see special exhibits! www.lpl.arizona.edu/events/lpl-e...
Reposted by Mark Marley
stewardobservatory.bsky.social
We are pleased to celebrate the great news that MIT has joined GMTO as the newest member of our international consortium. Read about this major milestone in the progression of GMTO to completion: bit.ly/3IOpyzv
markmarley.bsky.social
My lifetime first science paper was Lunine, Hubbard, and Marley (1986). Here we are getting the band back together 39 years later. Haven’t changed a bit.

Topic then was brown dwarfs and I’m still working on them.
markmarley.bsky.social
I assume so but the video cut out and didn’t show the return to ground level. I was away from home at the time.
Reposted by Mark Marley
offallingstars.bsky.social
Life news -- starting Fall 2026, I'll be an Assistant Prof in University of Maryland, College Park's Astronomy Department!

I'll be starting up a lab to measure all the substellar cloud things 🌤️🪐✨ and continuing alllllll the atmospheric model things

Lowkey obsessed with the mascot #FeartheTurtle
the seal of the University of Maryland. It has the red, white, black, and gold banners of the Maryland flag in a circle and with the year 1856 on either side.
Reposted by Mark Marley
voosen.me
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.
democrats-appropriations.house.gov
Reposted by Mark Marley
aussiastronomer.bsky.social
Sometimes 2025 just feels like a lot, and you need an excuse to celebrate your fabulous team (and the whole exoplanet community!) reaching a new milestone…

Happy 6,000 Confirmed Exoplanets Day, everybody!!!!

(You may recognize the narrator of the video at the link! 🫣)

www.nasa.gov/universe/exo...
A close-up photo of a box of cupcakes with gold candles spelling out ‘6000’. A group of smiling people - scientists, engineers, data analysts and writers - standing behind a table of goodies.
markmarley.bsky.social
Hamilton has spectacular drone videos of Icelandic eruptions so should be a compelling talk!
uarizonalpl.bsky.social
TONIGHT! Stop by to listen to Dr. Christopher Hamilton's evening lecture. Guests can come early to see some special exhibits as well!
uarizonalpl.bsky.social
Dr. Hamilton is the first in our "Space on Earth" LPL Evening Lectures for Fall 2025! Come listen to Dr. Hamilton speak on "Mars on Earth: Testing Tomorrow's Mars Missions in Iceland." More information can be found here: www.lpl.arizona.edu/calendar/eve...
markmarley.bsky.social
Except Pyrex isn't borosilicate any more. The accounting pirates has their say.
Reposted by Mark Marley
lkreidberg.bsky.social
We have job opportunities in the APEx department at MPIA - please spread the word!

Postdocs: aas.org/jobregister/...
Tenure-track staff: aas.org/jobregister/...
Max Planck Research Group Leaders: aas.org/jobregister/...

+ happy to host ERC, Humboldt, and other third-party funds.
markmarley.bsky.social
I was stealing a figure from that just an hour ago! Glad you still like it and indeed he is the Ty we should all know.
markmarley.bsky.social
This morning an idea came to me about how to work brown dwarfs into the upcoming wedding toast I will deliver at my daughter’s wedding. Hopefully I will come to my senses before the big day.
markmarley.bsky.social
He is 💯 certain there is something to eat here. Must be seeing the LED.
Reposted by Mark Marley
tonydelgenio.bsky.social
Great to see this paper come out, a lot of work by many people went into the development of this model.