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FindAnOpening @findanopening.bsky.social · 50m

#Sunset #Minnesota #Nature #BlueSky #NaturePhotography #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography

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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 1d

#Immigrants have long made significant & disproportionate contributions to the #Physics #NobelPrize. Today’s news is more than a triumph of #quantum #science — it’s a story about what we get right when we open doors, not close them.

www.boundless.com/blog/u-s-imm...
#PublicEducation #ScienceMatters

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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 1d

🎃✨ Halloween is older than you think!
Its roots reach to the stars — to a time when our ancestors tracked the Sun’s halfway point between equinox and solstice. They called it a cross-quarter day — a cosmic threshold between light & dark, life & death, summer & winter.

soundcloud.com/shanil-viran...

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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 3d

No worries! Thank you for adding me!!

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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 8d

The cognitive dissonance is alarming. The @washingtonpost.com has an "exclusive" piece entitled "Trump’s #USAID pause stranded #lifesaving #drugs. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴." In another piece #FOTUS is giving $20BILLION to #Argentina to bail out a rightwing nut. There's 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 money for the middle class.

So, let's get this straight.

We don't have money to continue to provide middle class Americans subsidies so that they can afford health care coverage for their families via the ACA. So we'll shut down government instead.

We don't have money to support USAID and PEPFAR, yet just today, the Washington Post has a headline that reads "Trump’s USAID pause stranded lifesaving drugs. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴."

We don't have money for basic science, which is literally the engine that drives the American economy, so we laid off *thousands* of scientists and doctors, and have gutted federal support for #NASA, #NSF, and #NIH.

We don't have any weapons to send Ukraine because they're fighting a war against an enemy who attacked their country. Maybe because they're not our enemy?

But Argentina needs a $20 BILLION bailout to save their economy -- yet again -- and FOTUS can't say "yes" fast enough. Why?! "Trump is a fan of Argentine President Javier Milei, a libertarian whose attacks on government spending and red tape have made him a folk hero to the American right."

Why is it that whenever the banks, Wall Street, and authoritarian regimes need a bailout, we have an endless treasury but we have no money nor compassion and can't help the people who 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 need help?

I don't know much but that just sounds very un-Christian-like to me.

Elections have consequences is the old saying. This is what ~78 millions Americans support.

When we need a bail out, I hope Russia and/or China will listen to him when he goes hat in hand. Maybe he'll just continue to lie on bank loan applications and get money that way as that works for him.

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💚🧡💙Oakbrook❤️💛💜 @oakbrook.bsky.social · 10d

If the govt shuts down, make SURE the constant and consistent message is,

"Repubs would rather shut down the government than allow Americans to keep their health care!"

Everywhere, repeat, repeat, repeat. Don't be distracted by other orange garbage. Make sure ALL MAGAts understand who and why.

Barack Obama @barackobama.bsky.social · 10d

Republicans would rather shut down the government than help millions of Americans afford health care. This article tells some of their stories, and is a good reminder of what’s at stake.

These people have found their health care at the center of a shutdown showdown

Small business owners, self-employed people and early retirees are among the 24 million Americans who could lose the tax credit

www.usatoday.com

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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 10d

Bond holders will soon demand significant austerity measures, deep cuts to public spending, so that we can continue making debt payments. This has already started with steep federal spending cuts to Medicare & impacted Social Security in the "Big Beautiful Bill" passed by Congress earlier this year.

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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 11d

Standing at the Cosmic Crossroads

Will we choose enlightenment — curiosity, discovery, and progress?

Or will we choose regression — prejudice, superstition, and a new Dark Age?

History is watching. Our children are watching. The future depends on what we do now. 🧪🔭

🔗 medium.com/@shanil.vira...

Standing at the Cosmic Crossroads

Science lifted us to the Moon & beyond. But in this dark hour, will we choose progress or another dark age?

medium.com

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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 12d

Give it time! In a ~100 years when the number of known #life beyond earth will have likely exploded, all with diverse digestive #biology, #gastrophysics may indeed become a specialized medical discipline! Or, sure, maybe it’s a postdoc position in the 24th century aboard the #starship #Enterprise!🧪🔭

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Astronomical Society of the Pacific @astrosociety.org · 12d

Couldn’t agree more! Vivian’s gift for sparking wonder & awe is extraordinary. She lead our #NASA-funded Eclipse Ambassadors program (reached ~200k people in 47 states) & showed the power of eclipses to #unite. #Australia will be #eclipse central — 2 totals in the next 5 yrs + an annular in 2035!🧪🔭☀️

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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 14d

“Shut up and calculate”? Not a chance.🔭🧪

President of the @apsphysics.bsky.social in @physicstoday.bsky.social reminds us that physicists are not just scientists; we are citizens, educators, & truth-tellers.

So, no, Laura Ingraham, we also won't just "shut up and dribble."
🔗 bit.ly/ShutUpandCal...

What does it mean to be a physicist right now?

The scientific enterprise is under attack. Being a physicist means speaking out for it.

bit.ly

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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 17d

They say if history doesn’t repeat, it rhymes. It sure feels that way this past week. There is a rising & dangerous blurring of white Christian nationalism with alt‑right white supremacy.

Jesus taught love, humility, empathy, & forgiveness. That’s not what we’re seeing. What Bible are they reading?

They say if history doesn’t repeat, it rhymes. It certainly feels that way this past week. There is a rising and dangerous alignment of white Christian nationalism blurred with alt‑right white supremacy.

Jesus taught love, humility, empathy, & forgiveness. That’s not what we’re hearing. What Bible are they reading?

P.S. This image reminds us: propaganda often uses symbols, myth, and selective storytelling to sanctify individuals — not because they were innocent, but because their deaths serve a purpose.

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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 19d

It does seem as if the Reichstag is on fire. :(

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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 19d

Agreed @philplait.bsky.social. We are in an envelope of darkness that is quickly closing in. Science, rational thought, free speech, & basic human rights are being suffocated. It also seems as if there is no organized push back from anyone with power to stand up & say NO. Everyone is too scared.🥺

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Native Stargazer @nativestargazer.bsky.social · 24d

As the week closes, remember: the stars are more than science. They are teachers, ancestors, and guides shaping our path.

Each culture adds a verse to the cosmic song. When you look up tonight, do you see equations, stories, or a little of both?

#sunday #star #astronomy #charliekirk #daboswinney

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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 25d

Indeed, those are the exciting question now opened by the inevitability that #life took hold on #Mars. The idea that it may have originated on Mars first & then spread to Earth (other places in the solar system?) via #meteroites is called #panspermia. We do know that life arose on Earth very early.🧪

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Astronomical Society of the Pacific @astrosociety.org · 25d

Could life have started on #Mars & spread to Earth by meteorites? This idea, called #panspermia, is gaining new relevance as evidence mounts that #life once took hold on Mars. We know life arose early on Earth but did it begin elsewhere first? The #ASP’s @shanilv.ca says more about what this means.🧪

Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 25d

From #Viking’s life experiments to #Perseverance’s biosignatures, Mars has whispered the same question for decades: are we alone?

Why is this time different?

Humanity may be on the brink of a cosmic revolution. Read more in my #Substack post. 🔭🧪
👉 bit.ly/Mars-OIU

#Mars #LifeonMars #Astroniology

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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · 25d

From #Viking’s life experiments to #Perseverance’s biosignatures, Mars has whispered the same question for decades: are we alone?

Why is this time different?

Humanity may be on the brink of a cosmic revolution. Read more in my #Substack post. 🔭🧪
👉 bit.ly/Mars-OIU

#Mars #LifeonMars #Astroniology

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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 27d

#Mars May Have Left Us a Message. Are we listening? 🧪🔭

From #Viking to #ALH84001 to #Perseverance’s new potential #biosignatures in Jezero Crater — we’re on the edge of a #cosmic revolution. It's clear we've reached a tipping point.

The Not So Quiet Revolution in Astronomy:
👉 bit.ly/MarsRevolution

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Astronomical Society of the Pacific @astrosociety.org · 28d

🌌 BREAKING: Mars may have left us a message. #NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered potential #biosignatures — clues that life may not be unique to Earth.
🔭🧪

“This is the closest we’ve come to recognizing that life on Earth is not unique.”

🔗 MORE: tinyurl.com/OurIslandUni...
#Mars #Astrobiology

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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · 28d

🌌 BREAKING: Mars may have left us a message. #NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered potential #biosignatures — clues that life may not be unique to Earth.
🔭🧪

“This is the closest we’ve come to recognizing that life on Earth is not unique.”

🔗 MORE: tinyurl.com/OurIslandUni...
#Mars #Astrobiology

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Our Island Universe @ourislanduniverse.space · Sep 2

This isn’t spell check. It isn’t Clippy. It isn’t Grammarly.

It’s a revolution.

Dario Amodei (CEO, @anthropic.com) warns #AI could erase half of all entry-level white-collar jobs in 5 yrs. Our students will face that world — prepared or not.

Read my essay on #medium:
medium.com/@shanil.vira...

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Shanil Virani @shanilv.ca · Aug 21

Do you own a @unistellar.bsky.social #eVscope, #eQuinox or #ODYSSEY? New to #astronomy & want to learn the #science of what’s captured in your #smart #telescope?

Spots are filling up fast for our very special 5-part #workshop series dedicated to @unistellar.com.web.brid.gy owners!

tiny.cc/Astro101

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SETI Institute @setiinstitute.bsky.social · Jul 30

Dr. Ian Weaver, Unistellar Education Lead at the SETI Institute, will be one of the workshop leaders alongside @shanilv.ca, Cosmic Engagement Specialist at ASP.

Registration ends Friday, September 5, at 12:00pm Pacific Time.

Learn more and register here: www.seti.org/events/astro...

Astro 101: Imaging the Universe with Your Unistellar Telescope

With Dr. Ian Weaver. Registration Ends Friday September 5 at 12:00pm Pacific Time

www.seti.org

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SETI Institute @setiinstitute.bsky.social · Jul 30

"Astro 101: Imaging the Universe with Your Unistellar Telescope" is a brand-new five-part online workshop series designed exclusively for @unistellar.bsky.social smart telescope owners who are ready to unlock the full scientific power of their instrument. 🧪 🔭

Background: Starry sky in shades of blue and purple full of nebulae. Foreground: A Unistellar ODYSSEY smart telescope. Banner text: Learn @ ASP. Astro 101: Imaging the Universe with Your Unistellar Telescope.

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