Say hello to @brandonradzom.bsky.social from @iubloomington.bsky.social, who joins us as a 2026 Visiting Graduate Student Research Fellow! Brandon is working with IPAC's @kevinkhu.bsky.social on using NASA's TESS to learn more about the most common types of exoplanets in our galaxy. 🛰️🪐#VGSRF

I know *I* need a break from all the doom, and maybe you do too. So here's my latest article for @eos.org : could "hot Jupiters" (massive planets orbiting very close to their stars) help us understand how all giant planets form, including our own Jupiter? eos.org/articles/rar... 🧪🔭

“I think Jupiter could have become a hot Jupiter. Luckily for us, it didn’t.” Agreed, @jcbecker.bsky.social eos.org/articles/rar...

Had a blast discussing the enigmatic hot Jupiter population and their surprising potential connection to our Solar System's Jupiter with @eos.org. Check out this article and the research by @jcbecker.bsky.social that motivated it!

AAS 2026 Congressional Visits Day This year, in partnership with @aapthq.bsky.social, we're bringing scientists to DC from 13–15 April to advocate for the importance of science and education. No prior policy experience is required. Apply by 1 February 2026: ow.ly/mb4x50XKV87 @policy.aas.org

"The secret sauce has been poured down the drain," says David Draper, former Deputy Chief Scientist of NASA, over the recent firing or departure of 1000s of NASA employees, which will be catastrophic for the legacy of the US🇺🇸😖🚀 www.planetary.org/articles/400... h/t @floragraham.bsky.social 🧪

#SpeakOutForScience is an initiative launched by students to empower #ScienceAdvocates. Join @aas.org on 7/1/25 @ 7 PM EST, for a Testimonial Action Day to learn how to craft & record their powerful testimonials for policymakers. Register here: forms.gle/38ZtznWT3fxe...

Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺

Here's NASA astrophysics, if I read the president's proposed budget correctly. 🔭

The NASA planetary science fleet chart if the president’s budget is enacted.

We now have a petition anyone around the world can sign to help save NASA science by urging the United States Congress to reject the proposed 47% cut to NASA’s science programs, before the 2026 budget is finalized. We need 1,000 signatories by June 12, 2025. Help us save NASA! ✍️ planet.ly/petition

Read this: www.planetary.org/articles/bil... And then decide what action you'll take to save NASA science by visiting here: www.planetary.org/save-nasa-sc...

This is insane, and sabotages the future of US science—and it’s so easy to see why… AI, quantum, etc., all started as niche research 10, 20, 50 years ago. They’re “trendy” science of national importance today because of decades of investments in broad, fundamental research. (🧵1/3)

Astronomy is in trouble, but you can help! 🔭🧪 I made this video as part of the @aas.org #savescience week of action. Check out their resources on how you can help here aas.org/advocacy/get...

i think the biggest public relations coup AI boosters scored was calling it “AI.” people genuinely think it is an intelligence, and that when they query it, it is providing reasoned answers

From a good friend on another platform: “I think the reality is academic science is now in its second existential crisis within a decade, and that’s a sign of deep structural problems…one of which is failure to reward things like public-facing communication.” www.johnhawks.net/p/what-i-tol...

✉️ It's time to speak up for science! Kick off our Week of Action by writing to your members of Congress. Urge them to robustly fund space science in FY 2026 & beyond. Every letter makes a difference! You can use our prompts for inspiration. #WeekOfAction aas.org/advocacy/get...

🧪 Though a doubling of NSF's budget might seem far-fetched, that's exactly what Congress said what's needed to maintain national competitiveness in science & tech. From the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022:

The reality is worse than we thought. The White House proposed the largest single-year cut to NASA in history. We urge Congress to reject this proposal and work on a bipartisan solution for a strong space program that reflects humanity’s potential. Our statement: www.planetary.org/press-releas...

"In the long term, severe reductions to science funding could damage the economy, according to new research. A report by economists at American University in Washington DC estimates that a 50% reduction in federal science funding would reduce the US gross domestic product by approximately 7.6%."

We, along with a powerful coalition of science, industry, and advocacy groups, released a joint letter today urging congressional leaders to push back against potential cuts to space science. Read the letter and join us in standing up for space science: www.planetary.org/press-releas...

🚨REQUEST FUNDS FROM CONGRESS for NASA, NSF, and DOE Office of Science. Deadline *tonight at midnight*. Here's a guided video for filling out the form, with a PDF of the slides containing all links, as well as MD fact sheets: www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0ms4s... Share it! @aas.org/@policy.aas.org 🔭🧪

🚨 The President’s Budget Request for FY2026 is rumored to include a 55% cut to the National Science Foundation. Take two minutes today to ask your members of Congress to join a bipartisan letter calling for $10.18 billion in funding for the NSF. aas.org/urge-nsf-sup...

NSF director to resign amid grant terminations, job cuts, and controversy www.science.org/content/arti...

"Days ago, the Administration’s nominee to lead NASA called for a “new golden age of science and discovery” at the agency. The proposed budget from within the White House — which cuts NASA science by 47% — would plunge NASA into a dark age instead." www.planetary.org/press-releas...

NASA is something every American can be and should be proud of. And for every dollar spent on it, it returns more on that investment to the economy. Example: Their 2023 budget was $25B, and they added over $75B to the economy that year. This is a horrible decision.

First the rumour was a 20% budget cut. Then, 50%. Now the president's NASA budget is out and it's a 68% cut to astrophysics ($1.5B to $487M). Even if this gets reversed in four years, we will *never* recover the missions, partners, people who will be gone. www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...

Cuts to #science of >50% at NASA and >75% at NOAA would end US climate and space science research. NASA cuts are '...an "extinction level" event': arstechnica.com/space/2025/0... "At this funding level, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research is eliminated...": www.science.org/content/arti...

Such an amazing and insightful experience. This work is more important now than ever, and I'm so grateful to the AAS for organizing this program and continuing to be a unified and loud voice for astronomers across the country!

This week 17 scientists took to the Hill as part of AAS' Congressional Visits Day to share the critical role of astronomy in driving innovation and economic growth. From undergrads to early-career researchers, they represent the next generation of leaders who will drive discovery across the country

Great article on what is happening already to young scientists in the US www.nytimes.com/2025/04/03/o...

We’re planning a party, a star party! ✨💫 Head on over to Yellowwood State Forest on April 5th from 9-11 to take a look at the night sky with astronomical experts! Learn about naked eye observing, astrophotography, and much more! Fill out our interest form so we can bring enough snacks and drinks!

🚨 Action Alert: Ask your members of congress to support federal science funding! Learn how to submit constituent appropriations requests: aas.org/posts/action... We welcome anyone interested in taking action to our Q&A/co-working session on Friday at 1:30 pm ET: aas-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

AAS Alarmed by Rumored Deep Cuts to NASA and National Science Foundation Recent reports have indicated that the White House may soon be proposing drastic cuts to future budgets for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD). aas.org/posts/news/2...

It's paper day! I'm excited to announce that a paper I led, titled "Evidence for Primordial Alignment II: Insights from Stellar Obliquity Measurements for Hot Jupiters in Compact Multiplanet Systems", has been published to the Astronomical Journal. Here's the link: iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3...

Undergraduate research opportunities are incredibly valuable, both for the students and for the progress of the work. And having undergraduate research experience is a massive help for grad school admission. REU cancellations harm students’ preparedness & career prospects, and slow research progress

AAS has a helpful page for contacting your congresspeople on the status of astronomy funding in the US: aas.org/advocacy/get...

A nugget of good news: I am very pleased to share that our paper describing a novel NASA mission concept - an orbiter at Saturn's moon, Titan - has been published to the Planetary Science Journal! You can check out the full paper detailing the THUNDER mission here: iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3...

Walking in to NASA’s JPL today as a woman in science leadership felt almost like a protest. They can take us off the webpages and the walls, but we will still be here, absolutely crushing it, and supporting our community while we do it. Happy International Day of Women in Science, everyone.