Tom Megeath
@megadeath.bsky.social
Astronomer studying the birth of stars, rust belt academic, connoisseur of beer inspired acronyms, closet Dadaist, & child of immigrant.
Reposted by Tom Megeath
It's time, folks!
This was huge on Twitter back in the day and we need to keep it going on Bluesky. The annual #TreeByBike haul begins and your photos will be an inspiration to everyone. 🎄🚲
This was huge on Twitter back in the day and we need to keep it going on Bluesky. The annual #TreeByBike haul begins and your photos will be an inspiration to everyone. 🎄🚲
November 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
It's time, folks!
This was huge on Twitter back in the day and we need to keep it going on Bluesky. The annual #TreeByBike haul begins and your photos will be an inspiration to everyone. 🎄🚲
This was huge on Twitter back in the day and we need to keep it going on Bluesky. The annual #TreeByBike haul begins and your photos will be an inspiration to everyone. 🎄🚲
Reposted by Tom Megeath
An excellent and very clear piece on LLM's and thinking. See also Farrell et al. in Science, our piece making the point about LLM's as a form of communication rather than cognition. alisongopnik.com/Papers_Aliso...
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
An excellent and very clear piece on LLM's and thinking. See also Farrell et al. in Science, our piece making the point about LLM's as a form of communication rather than cognition. alisongopnik.com/Papers_Aliso...
Reposted by Tom Megeath
In the past year we've had a series of papers with results that've shocked #climate scientists - the globe is heating #FasterThanExpected & we don't fully know why
The public discourse is not keeping up.
Here's a series of 5 new studies that climate hawks & journos need to have on their radar 🧵
The public discourse is not keeping up.
Here's a series of 5 new studies that climate hawks & journos need to have on their radar 🧵
June 19, 2025 at 11:38 AM
In the past year we've had a series of papers with results that've shocked #climate scientists - the globe is heating #FasterThanExpected & we don't fully know why
The public discourse is not keeping up.
Here's a series of 5 new studies that climate hawks & journos need to have on their radar 🧵
The public discourse is not keeping up.
Here's a series of 5 new studies that climate hawks & journos need to have on their radar 🧵
Reposted by Tom Megeath
This is an incredible image of comet 3I/ATLAS, taken by Satoru Murata ICQ Comet Observations group on 16 November 2025 from western New Mexico.
Structure within the major dust tail from the comet is clearly visible, together with two smaller jets trailing the nucleus and maybe even an anti-tail.
Structure within the major dust tail from the comet is clearly visible, together with two smaller jets trailing the nucleus and maybe even an anti-tail.
November 24, 2025 at 11:50 PM
This is an incredible image of comet 3I/ATLAS, taken by Satoru Murata ICQ Comet Observations group on 16 November 2025 from western New Mexico.
Structure within the major dust tail from the comet is clearly visible, together with two smaller jets trailing the nucleus and maybe even an anti-tail.
Structure within the major dust tail from the comet is clearly visible, together with two smaller jets trailing the nucleus and maybe even an anti-tail.
Reposted by Tom Megeath
The Pacman Nebula NGC 281 in Cassiopeia had been on my wish list for several years, and now, over the course of 4 nights in September & October, I finally got it. Visually not an easy object due to light pollution, but really fun to photograph (tech. details in image) 🔭
@kat-astro-bot.bsky.social
@kat-astro-bot.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The Pacman Nebula NGC 281 in Cassiopeia had been on my wish list for several years, and now, over the course of 4 nights in September & October, I finally got it. Visually not an easy object due to light pollution, but really fun to photograph (tech. details in image) 🔭
@kat-astro-bot.bsky.social
@kat-astro-bot.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Megeath
I take on average 10,000 stills and a half hour of video every week. Most I'll never think about again. This I'll hold onto until I grow old. 4 hours ago.
Zero edits. No recoloring. No cropping. Nothing. Just straight up reality. 🦑
Zero edits. No recoloring. No cropping. Nothing. Just straight up reality. 🦑
November 23, 2025 at 5:21 AM
I take on average 10,000 stills and a half hour of video every week. Most I'll never think about again. This I'll hold onto until I grow old. 4 hours ago.
Zero edits. No recoloring. No cropping. Nothing. Just straight up reality. 🦑
Zero edits. No recoloring. No cropping. Nothing. Just straight up reality. 🦑
Reposted by Tom Megeath
Because of the assassination, Major Kong’s (Slim Pickens) reference to Dallas in the scene where he carefully itemizes the contents of the crew’s survival kits was dubbed in post-production to Vegas. But “Dallas” can still be heard on the French-dubbed audio track of the version released in France.
November 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Because of the assassination, Major Kong’s (Slim Pickens) reference to Dallas in the scene where he carefully itemizes the contents of the crew’s survival kits was dubbed in post-production to Vegas. But “Dallas” can still be heard on the French-dubbed audio track of the version released in France.
Reposted by Tom Megeath
The Boogeyman Nebula 🌌
Here's a fun astrophotography target to try with your telescope this season - but be warned, this one takes TIME!
LDN 1622 is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion that resembles 'a dark figure with a head and arms' (I kinda see it!)
This is 10 hours!
#astrophotography
Here's a fun astrophotography target to try with your telescope this season - but be warned, this one takes TIME!
LDN 1622 is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion that resembles 'a dark figure with a head and arms' (I kinda see it!)
This is 10 hours!
#astrophotography
November 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The Boogeyman Nebula 🌌
Here's a fun astrophotography target to try with your telescope this season - but be warned, this one takes TIME!
LDN 1622 is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion that resembles 'a dark figure with a head and arms' (I kinda see it!)
This is 10 hours!
#astrophotography
Here's a fun astrophotography target to try with your telescope this season - but be warned, this one takes TIME!
LDN 1622 is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion that resembles 'a dark figure with a head and arms' (I kinda see it!)
This is 10 hours!
#astrophotography
Reposted by Tom Megeath
A stellar nursery at its finest! 🔭
This is LHA120-N159 region in the LMC as seen by the JWST one year ago. It is home to MANY new born stars and many more to come!
I was in awe with how beautiful this region is while I was processing these data earlier this morning!
HD: flic.kr/p/2rGG32u
This is LHA120-N159 region in the LMC as seen by the JWST one year ago. It is home to MANY new born stars and many more to come!
I was in awe with how beautiful this region is while I was processing these data earlier this morning!
HD: flic.kr/p/2rGG32u
November 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
A stellar nursery at its finest! 🔭
This is LHA120-N159 region in the LMC as seen by the JWST one year ago. It is home to MANY new born stars and many more to come!
I was in awe with how beautiful this region is while I was processing these data earlier this morning!
HD: flic.kr/p/2rGG32u
This is LHA120-N159 region in the LMC as seen by the JWST one year ago. It is home to MANY new born stars and many more to come!
I was in awe with how beautiful this region is while I was processing these data earlier this morning!
HD: flic.kr/p/2rGG32u
Reposted by Tom Megeath
(1/n) Image thread about the LHA 120-N 159 (or just N159) region with #JWST NIRCam. Here the filters F300M (blue), F335M (red) and F460M (green) 🔭
I made F335M red because this is PAH, otherwise the entire image would be green.
Full resolution: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LH...
I made F335M red because this is PAH, otherwise the entire image would be green.
Full resolution: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LH...
November 21, 2025 at 6:38 AM
(1/n) Image thread about the LHA 120-N 159 (or just N159) region with #JWST NIRCam. Here the filters F300M (blue), F335M (red) and F460M (green) 🔭
I made F335M red because this is PAH, otherwise the entire image would be green.
Full resolution: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LH...
I made F335M red because this is PAH, otherwise the entire image would be green.
Full resolution: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LH...
Reposted by Tom Megeath
Chaos! This *incredible* new #jwst image shows shells of dust emitted over the last 700 years by a system of 3 aging stars. The 2 main stars tear through space at an astonishing ~2000 MILES PER SECOND, whereas the 3rd star cuts through the dust like a knife. More: science.nasa.gov/missions/web...
Webb First to Show 4 Dust Shells 'Spiraling' Apep, Limits Long Orbit - NASA Science
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has delivered a first of its kind: a crisp mid-infrared image of a system of four serpentine spirals of dust, one expanding
science.nasa.gov
November 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Chaos! This *incredible* new #jwst image shows shells of dust emitted over the last 700 years by a system of 3 aging stars. The 2 main stars tear through space at an astonishing ~2000 MILES PER SECOND, whereas the 3rd star cuts through the dust like a knife. More: science.nasa.gov/missions/web...
Reposted by Tom Megeath
Here’s an annotated version of our comet image.
We also want to thank our downlink and uplink teams who spent a huge amount of time working on this. Our camera was not designed to image interstellar objects 19 million miles away, but their hard work and planning paid off.
We also want to thank our downlink and uplink teams who spent a huge amount of time working on this. Our camera was not designed to image interstellar objects 19 million miles away, but their hard work and planning paid off.
November 19, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Here’s an annotated version of our comet image.
We also want to thank our downlink and uplink teams who spent a huge amount of time working on this. Our camera was not designed to image interstellar objects 19 million miles away, but their hard work and planning paid off.
We also want to thank our downlink and uplink teams who spent a huge amount of time working on this. Our camera was not designed to image interstellar objects 19 million miles away, but their hard work and planning paid off.
Reposted by Tom Megeath
NASA's pix of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS are now up science.nasa.gov/solar-system...
This is the HiRISE/MRO image ⬇️
This is the HiRISE/MRO image ⬇️
November 19, 2025 at 8:27 PM
NASA's pix of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS are now up science.nasa.gov/solar-system...
This is the HiRISE/MRO image ⬇️
This is the HiRISE/MRO image ⬇️
Reposted by Tom Megeath
Multi panel MW , Cygnus region.. ASI2600 + sigma 50mm
#astronomy
#astronomy
November 19, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Multi panel MW , Cygnus region.. ASI2600 + sigma 50mm
#astronomy
#astronomy
Reposted by Tom Megeath
Sh 2-140 is about 3000 light years away in the direction of Cepheus. An emission nebula, it is heated by young stars. The sharp edge along the bottom of the nebula marks a dark molecular cloud where new stars are forming.
8.2hrs, #Seestar S50 🔭 🧪
Siril, GraXpert, Starnet, GIMP
8.2hrs, #Seestar S50 🔭 🧪
Siril, GraXpert, Starnet, GIMP
November 18, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Sh 2-140 is about 3000 light years away in the direction of Cepheus. An emission nebula, it is heated by young stars. The sharp edge along the bottom of the nebula marks a dark molecular cloud where new stars are forming.
8.2hrs, #Seestar S50 🔭 🧪
Siril, GraXpert, Starnet, GIMP
8.2hrs, #Seestar S50 🔭 🧪
Siril, GraXpert, Starnet, GIMP
Last night (wednesday) the aurora was faint to my eyes, but glorious for the lens of my iphone.
November 13, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Last night (wednesday) the aurora was faint to my eyes, but glorious for the lens of my iphone.
Reposted by Tom Megeath
I didn’t know it was this bad at Goddard. Infuriating. 🧪
"They are throwing US science into the trash": www.npr.org/2025/11/12/n...
Goddard Space Center staff say they're 'constantly being attacked' by the White House
The Goddard Space Center is one NASA's crown jewels of science. But in recent months, staff say they've been in the White House's crosshairs, subjected to a campaign of chaos and reorganization.
www.npr.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I didn’t know it was this bad at Goddard. Infuriating. 🧪
The amazing thing was that this aurora was visible through thin clouds. I then shouted at the clouds and the sky cleared for an hour. You are welcome NE Ohio.
November 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
The amazing thing was that this aurora was visible through thin clouds. I then shouted at the clouds and the sky cleared for an hour. You are welcome NE Ohio.
NW ohio sky lights up
November 12, 2025 at 3:03 AM
NW ohio sky lights up
It’s a front door visible aurora in NW Ohio
November 12, 2025 at 2:50 AM
It’s a front door visible aurora in NW Ohio
Reposted by Tom Megeath
I've summarized the truth about Loeb's 10 "anomalies" about 3I/ATLAS in one post.
Thanks to @deschscoveries.bsky.social @michael-w-busch.bsky.social @cometary.org and @marshall-eubanks.bsky.social for contributing their expertise!
Thanks to @deschscoveries.bsky.social @michael-w-busch.bsky.social @cometary.org and @marshall-eubanks.bsky.social for contributing their expertise!
Loeb’s 3I/ATLAS “Anomalies” Explained
Avi Loeb continues to claim that 3I/ATLAS has many anomalous behaviors that lead to the conclusion that it “might” be an alien spacecraft. He carefully hedges the probability that it is a spacecraft ...
sites.psu.edu
November 10, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I've summarized the truth about Loeb's 10 "anomalies" about 3I/ATLAS in one post.
Thanks to @deschscoveries.bsky.social @michael-w-busch.bsky.social @cometary.org and @marshall-eubanks.bsky.social for contributing their expertise!
Thanks to @deschscoveries.bsky.social @michael-w-busch.bsky.social @cometary.org and @marshall-eubanks.bsky.social for contributing their expertise!
Describe your cat‘s personality with one photo: leela
November 9, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Describe your cat‘s personality with one photo: leela
Describe your cat‘s personality with one photo: calvin
November 9, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Describe your cat‘s personality with one photo: calvin
The bust of Rosalind Franklin in the Library of Trinity College Dublin.
November 7, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The bust of Rosalind Franklin in the Library of Trinity College Dublin.
Reposted by Tom Megeath
Dear Physicists and Physics fans,
I would like to encourage you to celebrate #WomenInPhysics Day this Friday, November 7th.
Why November 7th? Because it is the birthday of two of the most impactful women physicists of the 1900's: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. 🎢 ⚛️ 🧪 👩🔬
I would like to encourage you to celebrate #WomenInPhysics Day this Friday, November 7th.
Why November 7th? Because it is the birthday of two of the most impactful women physicists of the 1900's: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. 🎢 ⚛️ 🧪 👩🔬
November 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Dear Physicists and Physics fans,
I would like to encourage you to celebrate #WomenInPhysics Day this Friday, November 7th.
Why November 7th? Because it is the birthday of two of the most impactful women physicists of the 1900's: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. 🎢 ⚛️ 🧪 👩🔬
I would like to encourage you to celebrate #WomenInPhysics Day this Friday, November 7th.
Why November 7th? Because it is the birthday of two of the most impactful women physicists of the 1900's: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. 🎢 ⚛️ 🧪 👩🔬