This week we celebrated the #NASAPACEMission “500 Days (And Counting) In Orbit” milestone, hosted by the #HARP2 team at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. I’ve been on the mission 3 yrs but the it’s been going on 10+ yrs and it was a well-earned day to enjoy w colleagues 🍻

NASA just won an Emmy for our live broadcast of the total solar eclipse last year. We produced a documentary film about the James Webb Space Telescope that's out in theaters and on Netflix. We have podcasts, we write feature stories. People wear the agency logo on t-shirts. We're still getting cut.

Words fail to describe how heartbroken I am after reading this post.

I took the day off yesterday to advocate for planetary science with new and old friends at @planetarysociety.bsky.social. One of my fave things about earth and planetary science is also something that makes the US special, so any proposed cut to science is very concerning to me as an American.

For those who may not know… this camera took this pic btw

finally got around to collecting the annual special edition cherry blossom metro card loot drop 🌸

I went to the National Air and Space Museum today, which was nicely timed after a particularly hard work week, and it felt like a reminder of what we’re fighting for. And BOY what a great reminder. I got to see THE Apollo 8 Hasselblad camera… yep, I fangirled out in the corner a bit.

odds weren’t great for clear skies in DC tonight BUT I went out anyway. during the tiniest window of opportunity I snapped one clear-ish phone pic of the blood moon eclipse in front of National Air and Space Museum 🥹🌖

I really only listen to a few people when it comes to day to day economics and one of them is Kai Ryssdal and boy this is VERY concerning

To put it lightly, I’ve been on edge this week. Tonight I took a long walk around campus and caught this view of the moonrise over Healy Hall. Tomorrow will bring us a full moon’s total eclipse with a coppery hue — a blood moon. And the date is the eve of the Ides of March. Poetry.

The NASA LRO team has spotted the IM-2 Athena lander, near the center of Mons Mouton. Centre of the image, with the box showing an enlarged view. www.lroc.asu.edu/images/1409

**This would end space science as we know it.** I’d probably be out of a job. Successful ongoing missions would be turned off. Future missions would be axed. Some research centers (NASA & non-NASA) would likely dissolve.

A very proud Hoya today!

When chaos feels overwhelming, I find it immensely helpful to take a small positive step to reclaim and protect a bit of agency for yourself and others. @signal.org

Taking a break in between work and class (all virtual today) to go play in the snow now that it’s finally sticking on the sidewalks here in DC!

Earlier the checkout line at the Eastern Market TJ’s wrapped all the way to the cheese section so a few of us got to chatting. The vibes are atrocious here in DC with all the uncertainty, but we agree the sense of community is strong. This cute tote caught my eye and felt appropriate to pick up 🧀🥂

I’m a weather nerd and I work/study earth science. I have pretty good theoretical knowledge of mid Atlantic winter weather. However. I’m also a human who spent almost 30 years in her native desert habitat and is still new to experiencing precipitation. so. *googles what sleet looks like*

Check out these US federal data archiving efforts already underway. It warms my heart to see many librarians and archivists on the front lines of organizing. You are all amazing people!

Phobos over Mars Full size: flic.kr/p/2qJrbGD Credit: Processing: Andrea Luck CC BY Raw images: ESA/DLR/FUBerlin @esa.int ESA Mars Express HRSC Orbit 3868 2007-01-10 Filter S13 H3868_0000_S13.IMG Colourised image using data processed from: psa.esa.int My album about Phobos: flic.kr/s/aHBqjAvrQL

Lucky shot on my way home from the National Portrait Gallery: the Washington Monument with the crescent moon (my fave phase!) right next to Venus. I’m choosing to see this as a good omen from the universe (🤞).

Heroes

Post the amazing science things you have done with federal funding.

The insanity of being a fire ecologist in the epicenter of a major fire event, bags packed and ready to evacuate, watching active fire from my window, while taking media requests and explaining to the public, for the 100,000th time how climate change is largely responsible for this

A first of likely multiple efforts to support our colleagues at JPL and Caltech who’ve lost their homes in the past day. 🔭

from earlier today at the National Mall during my lunch break ☃️

after a couple weeks back home in Phoenix and Sedona with fantastic weather (Hs in 60-70s, L 40-30s), DC has greeted me with a little thundersnow and rain mix!! pics to be posted when it sticks in DC, hopefully Monday ☃️👀

Getting ready for my first conference talk ever! And of course it’s at #AGU24. Catch me at the following session: “Sharing Their Science: Enabling Scientists in Public Engagement and Communication Efforts”

One thing about #AGU24 is that you know the exhibitor hall is gonna be poppin! I’ll be back talking shop at the NASA booth on Wednesday 😊🌎🛰️

I will also not be live-skeeting but I will be skittering around the convention center this week, come say hi if you see me! And/or need some DC recs from a local 😎 #AGU24

a little starstruck this morning! did not expect the Chair of the National Space Council, Vice President Harris, to keep me on her holiday greeting card mailing list 🥹♥️ we fumbled you so bad Queen 😭

Waxing crescent moon and Venus looking west-southwest tonight over Healy Hall at Georgetown this evening 🌙

ok I owe the state of North Carolina an apology, I wasn’t really familiar with their game

Napoleon, December 3, 1812

don’t worry go.bsky.app/VLYqPoD

Bluesky is scratching that itch to be able to follow good and reliable information of fast moving international developments that twitter used to. No conspiracy theories or trolls. Quick, efficient, reliable information from reputable journalists. I missed this so much.

new map obsession just dropped 😍

Science journos! This is such a cool handy labeler to see what fields folks are working in AND there’s a label for science journalism! 🧪

If you were on Saturn, you’d quickly learn how reflective the rings are… The rings reflect sunlight and illuminate the night side. Instead of moonshine, it’s Ringshine!

I have 3 pairs of space mission-themed socks I’ve worn regularly for years now and they’ve held up really well! Highly recommend as gifts (it’s holiday season!!). This is not a sponsored post, I’m just a space nerd who values quality statement socks 😌🧦

took a chilly fall afternoon walk around the National Mall yesterday to visit my favorite Brutalist Donut (the Hirschhorn Museum) and came across Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin just outside. what a pleasant surprise!

unexpected but fun notification! 2024 is the year of cautious optimism… #dcwx #dmvwx

first snow alert of the season in the DMV, and since my windowsill violet hasn’t stopped blooming since the temps dropped, I know this queen is hyped for the snow too

Looks like that Volcano in Iceland erupted. Sounds like things are being managed, but there are some incredible images posted by @icelandcricket.bsky.social.

Are you tired of greasy pots and pans? Stubborn kitchen stains? Messy sponges and sprays? Me too. I wish the sun would devour the earth.

Yes, libraries are invaluable for their collections and public services they offer, but also social contact without the expectation to interact with anyone or spend any money is so important to so many people

If you ever see this video, this is the person who made it. @kevinmgill.bsky.social (It's often mis- or un-attributed.)

Quick FYI in case you are not aware: NOAA is the foundational center of weather / climate data and research for not just the United States, but is vital on the global stage, too. The fact that this data is available for free (open source) cannot be minimized in its value and importance. 1/n

went to the National Gallery of Art today, found a Mars rover-shaped little friend

let's compare costco hot dogs and their prices in every country where they operate

aaand here we are at my favorite candle scent of the year, cedar balsam. the smell of December. December. time is cruelly marching on