Nathan Smith
@nsmithplanets.bsky.social
Planetary data scientist at NAU. I write code to process Mars data. Phobos fan and Deimos devotee. Also love other lumpy space stuff. he/him
Science diagrams that look like shitposts
December 2, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Science diagrams that look like shitposts
Prepping D&D, I'm thinking I'm gonna give the deer avatar of one of my gods forward-facing predator eyes like the restored Ghent Altarpiece lamb, to better express its uncanny divinity.
November 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Prepping D&D, I'm thinking I'm gonna give the deer avatar of one of my gods forward-facing predator eyes like the restored Ghent Altarpiece lamb, to better express its uncanny divinity.
By the way, I had to use a computer to make sure none of the holes overlapped, and even then had to make up constellations from what I had. Making sure the rotational summery didn't make the letters overlap was tough. Lots of respect for the original designers, who also used real constellations!
September 3, 2025 at 4:43 AM
By the way, I had to use a computer to make sure none of the holes overlapped, and even then had to make up constellations from what I had. Making sure the rotational summery didn't make the letters overlap was tough. Lots of respect for the original designers, who also used real constellations!
I made the code wheel puzzle from pentiment this weekend for my D&D campaign. I'm really pleased with how it turned out!
September 3, 2025 at 4:43 AM
I made the code wheel puzzle from pentiment this weekend for my D&D campaign. I'm really pleased with how it turned out!
Lines for italian beef are too long at the Tempe Portillos when the Cubs are playing spring training games in Mesa! Arizona calls out for the bounty of the steppe!
March 30, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Lines for italian beef are too long at the Tempe Portillos when the Cubs are playing spring training games in Mesa! Arizona calls out for the bounty of the steppe!
nailed it. a thing of beauty.
January 29, 2025 at 9:24 PM
nailed it. a thing of beauty.
Here's the color comparison so you can judge for yourself. I can't say it's doing it for me, but at least it'll match an earth-tone pallet pretty well. Pretty surprising to debut this solo after four retirements last year.
January 14, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Here's the color comparison so you can judge for yourself. I can't say it's doing it for me, but at least it'll match an earth-tone pallet pretty well. Pretty surprising to debut this solo after four retirements last year.
Another comment suggested the glaze being basically clear will reduce the number of pieces that don't make it through quality control. There's essentially no color in the glaze that could appear uneven, just the color of the raw ceramic.
January 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Another comment suggested the glaze being basically clear will reduce the number of pieces that don't make it through quality control. There's essentially no color in the glaze that could appear uneven, just the color of the raw ceramic.
But there's also the slightly more saturated neutrals. Shades of brown have been vanishingly rare in the Fiesta palette, but there was Chocolate (2008-2011). Without creamy Ivory and orangey Butterscotch, might this be the chance for... "Caramel"? "Mocha"? "Latte"? "Cappuccino"?
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
But there's also the slightly more saturated neutrals. Shades of brown have been vanishingly rare in the Fiesta palette, but there was Chocolate (2008-2011). Without creamy Ivory and orangey Butterscotch, might this be the chance for... "Caramel"? "Mocha"? "Latte"? "Cappuccino"?
Which brings us to our true dark-horse options: The Neutrals.
With how things have been trending over the last few years, it's hard to keep in mind, but it wasn't so long ago we had options in that hole in the center of the hue/value plot: Black (1986-2014), followed by Slate (2015-2022).
With how things have been trending over the last few years, it's hard to keep in mind, but it wasn't so long ago we had options in that hole in the center of the hue/value plot: Black (1986-2014), followed by Slate (2015-2022).
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Which brings us to our true dark-horse options: The Neutrals.
With how things have been trending over the last few years, it's hard to keep in mind, but it wasn't so long ago we had options in that hole in the center of the hue/value plot: Black (1986-2014), followed by Slate (2015-2022).
With how things have been trending over the last few years, it's hard to keep in mind, but it wasn't so long ago we had options in that hole in the center of the hue/value plot: Black (1986-2014), followed by Slate (2015-2022).
Will we fill in Lemongrass's niche with a new yellow-green? I'm not sure what that might look like. Something darker, like Sage (2015-2018)? Paler like Sea Mist (1991-2005) or Chartreuse (1997-1999)? What fits the new shift toward pastels, while still being current, trendy? "Avocado"? "Matcha"?
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Will we fill in Lemongrass's niche with a new yellow-green? I'm not sure what that might look like. Something darker, like Sage (2015-2018)? Paler like Sea Mist (1991-2005) or Chartreuse (1997-1999)? What fits the new shift toward pastels, while still being current, trendy? "Avocado"? "Matcha"?
We haven't seen a dark red since Paprika (2010-2016) and Claret (2016-2017). With Mulberry out of the way, is now the time to bring in another burgundy? In the last 10 years, we've generally seen light and dark colors introduced in alternating years. After Sky, is it time for "Brick"?
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
We haven't seen a dark red since Paprika (2010-2016) and Claret (2016-2017). With Mulberry out of the way, is now the time to bring in another burgundy? In the last 10 years, we've generally seen light and dark colors introduced in alternating years. After Sky, is it time for "Brick"?
Let's take a look at the current lineup. These are all the colors continuing production into 2025.
As noted earlier, the purple quadrant is now wide open. But there are other interesting gaps as well.
As noted earlier, the purple quadrant is now wide open. But there are other interesting gaps as well.
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Let's take a look at the current lineup. These are all the colors continuing production into 2025.
As noted earlier, the purple quadrant is now wide open. But there are other interesting gaps as well.
As noted earlier, the purple quadrant is now wide open. But there are other interesting gaps as well.
Here's that production timeline plot with value on the y-axis, by the way.
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Here's that production timeline plot with value on the y-axis, by the way.
Take a look at this polar plot, showing darker colors toward the center, brighter toward the outside. Unlike the hue/saturation plot from before, points are pretty tightly grouped in hue/value space, tracing out this blob. Is this an intentional aesthetic choice? Maybe a production constraint?
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Take a look at this polar plot, showing darker colors toward the center, brighter toward the outside. Unlike the hue/saturation plot from before, points are pretty tightly grouped in hue/value space, tracing out this blob. Is this an intentional aesthetic choice? Maybe a production constraint?
Just how excluded is purple exactly? If you don't count the burgundy options (Heather, Claret, Cinnabar) there have been just three proper purples. Besides Mulberry, we've seen Lilac (1993-1995) and Plum (2001-2015). No love for lavender, or amythyst, and certainly not magenta. Why is that?
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Just how excluded is purple exactly? If you don't count the burgundy options (Heather, Claret, Cinnabar) there have been just three proper purples. Besides Mulberry, we've seen Lilac (1993-1995) and Plum (2001-2015). No love for lavender, or amythyst, and certainly not magenta. Why is that?
The loss of Mulberry in particular is the latest in a sorry string of defeats for purple fans. It's a familiar story, even when a violet victory can put purple points on the board, it won't be long before fuchsia turns to frustration.
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
The loss of Mulberry in particular is the latest in a sorry string of defeats for purple fans. It's a familiar story, even when a violet victory can put purple points on the board, it won't be long before fuchsia turns to frustration.
While Ivory, committed to its neutrality, stands apart from the saturation wars, the three other departures are a heavy blow to the ranks of the most vibrant colors.
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
While Ivory, committed to its neutrality, stands apart from the saturation wars, the three other departures are a heavy blow to the ranks of the most vibrant colors.
That brings us to 2024's retirements:
Butterscotch (2020-2024)
Mulberry (2018-2024)
Lemongrass (2009-2024)
Ivory (2008-2024)
Butterscotch (2020-2024)
Mulberry (2018-2024)
Lemongrass (2009-2024)
Ivory (2008-2024)
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
That brings us to 2024's retirements:
Butterscotch (2020-2024)
Mulberry (2018-2024)
Lemongrass (2009-2024)
Ivory (2008-2024)
Butterscotch (2020-2024)
Mulberry (2018-2024)
Lemongrass (2009-2024)
Ivory (2008-2024)
With the replacement of Shamrock (2002-2021) by the lower saturation Meadow (2019- ), and the introduction of Peony in 2022, returning light pink to the palette for the first time since the retirement of Rose (1986-2005)), pastel-lovers are riding higher than they have in two decades.
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
With the replacement of Shamrock (2002-2021) by the lower saturation Meadow (2019- ), and the introduction of Peony in 2022, returning light pink to the palette for the first time since the retirement of Rose (1986-2005)), pastel-lovers are riding higher than they have in two decades.
2024 was an exciting, though divisive year for Fiesta-heads, starting with the introduction of Sky, the first pastel blue in the lineup since 2006.
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
2024 was an exciting, though divisive year for Fiesta-heads, starting with the introduction of Sky, the first pastel blue in the lineup since 2006.
No matter if your collection is chaotic or orderly, carefully curated for that pinterest aesthetic, or whatever lucky finds you snagged at a thrift store, (or if you're that nerd that owns a geiger counter and dishes from the 30s), you already know that January is a special time of year.
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
No matter if your collection is chaotic or orderly, carefully curated for that pinterest aesthetic, or whatever lucky finds you snagged at a thrift store, (or if you're that nerd that owns a geiger counter and dishes from the 30s), you already know that January is a special time of year.
Fiestaware 2025 new color thread, go!
Whether you're showing off a delicious baked good, a meal of some kind, or an array of your favorite agave plants, you can't go wrong pairing your social-media friendly item with the vibrant colors and classic art-deco design of Fiesta Tableware.
Whether you're showing off a delicious baked good, a meal of some kind, or an array of your favorite agave plants, you can't go wrong pairing your social-media friendly item with the vibrant colors and classic art-deco design of Fiesta Tableware.
January 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Fiestaware 2025 new color thread, go!
Whether you're showing off a delicious baked good, a meal of some kind, or an array of your favorite agave plants, you can't go wrong pairing your social-media friendly item with the vibrant colors and classic art-deco design of Fiesta Tableware.
Whether you're showing off a delicious baked good, a meal of some kind, or an array of your favorite agave plants, you can't go wrong pairing your social-media friendly item with the vibrant colors and classic art-deco design of Fiesta Tableware.
I mean, who else has depicted orbital trajectories in Norwegian rosemaling?
December 13, 2024 at 4:15 PM
I mean, who else has depicted orbital trajectories in Norwegian rosemaling?