I’m framing this! It’s a rejection letter. I applied to the astronaut program and was not selected. I’ve never been so proud of a rejection. I didn’t get it, but I was qualified to apply, and I’m proud of that.

The petition link is in the article - if you’re in the local DMV community you can sign for support!

Listened to @radiolab.bsky.social's episode on @charitywoodrum.bsky.social's path to astrophysics, and it reminded me a lot of my wife's trajectory--started out as a veterinarian, got completely emotionally burnt out, went back to school, and is now pursuing a PhD in physics on neutrino physics

A shirt in the NASA Goddard gift center. I’m sure it was ordered before his nomination was withdrawn

For the last couple weeks, I’ve been thinking I had something due on August 13th but couldn’t figure it out. I realized it’s the one year anniversary of defending my PhD! Here are some photos with my amazing PhD advisor, Professor Marcia Rieke. She got me a cake and some champagne to celebrate.

Holy crap this was a good @radiolab.bsky.social Kudos to @lutimestwo.bsky.social and @charitywoodrum.bsky.social Honestly just loved this storytelling open.spotify.com/episode/560q...

If you listen to just one podcast episode this week, make it this one. Not only is Dr Woodrum’s story an incredible encouragement to persevere through adversity, but is also a poignant reminder that, even in the darkest places, there is light to be found, literally and metaphorically.

Carl Sagan: We’re all stardust Evil Carl Sagan: We’ll all be stardust

This is a must-listen podcast episode. Dr. Woodrum’s personal story is devastating and inspiring, yes, but her science is at least as compelling. I’m left in total awe and yearning to learn more about quiescent galaxies and late star formation.

Dr. Woodrum’s story is inspirational. It reminded me why space is worth exploring: love.

Give this a listen for sure. So grateful to work with Charity at NASA Goddard - she is an incredible scientist and amazing human! ❤️

There are some people who are a light in this world. When sad things happen around us or to us, and cynicism starts to creep in, we can look to them and still see the best of humanity. Charity is one of those people. Please give this beautiful radiolab episode a listen ❤️

This episode was so moving in the most beautiful ways but do have many tissues on hand. Thank you so much Dr. Woodrum for sharing your story.

I listened to this episode on my walk through herring run yesterday and was full on sobbing ugly tears when I crossed paths with a guy walking his dog and I had to reassure him I was ok, just listening to a very moving podcast. He was cute about it- said he was about to ask if everything was ok 🥴

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I am honored to be on this week’s episode of Radiolab! The host @lutimestwo.bsky.social gets excited about galaxies with me! We talk about finding light in the darkest places, both for my research and my life. Lulu was so kind talking about my personal life and so intelligent discussing my research.

I wasn't ready for the latest Radio lab featuring astronomer @charitywoodrum.bsky.social, who lost her two boys. The science was great, but the episode wrecked me

Best email I have ever received. Today I went back and read our email exchange, as I have done many times over the years. When a Nobel laureate takes the time to give you advice, you listen! It’s difficult being a US scientist lately and reading Kip’s encouragement gives me motivation and hope.

RIP Andrea Gibson

MY FIRST EVER ARTICLE FOR SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN IS OUT!!! It's all about how black holes shred stars and how we discovered that black holes "burp" after eating them, and even includes a black hole called Jetty McJetface! What's not to love? 🤩 www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-... 🔭🧪🎢

I found my late husband’s keffiyeh 🍉 while going through an old box of our letters from when he was in prison. Here are some photos of him wearing it in 2015, with some sweet moments of him with our late son Woody on a cold winter hike in Oregon. He was the most loving parent and husband and human.

Some high schoolers are visiting NASA today and I was one of their surprise guests. I did NOT know the other surprise guest was an astronaut. They sat us across from each other during lunch and I was so nervous and didn’t know what to say so I said “Thank you for fixing Hubble!” 😅😭🫠

My first seminar as a doctor was at my alma mater! Go ducks! Thank you for being a wonderful host @whereisyvette.bsky.social 💚💛

We were very excited and happy to host astronomer and UO alum @charitywoodrum.bsky.social today for a seminar! Charity filled us in on all her latest research using JWST to study galaxy formation! 🤩 🔭🧪

Hi astro-Sky! Is anyone in a department that recently launched an astronomy major or minor? I have a few questions about how it's gone for you if so as we consider doing this at UO. Thanks! 🔭🧪🎢

10 yrs ago, I was an RN and 9 months pregnant when I went to an academic counselor at the University of Oregon to go back to school for physics. During my 3rd year, my husband and son were in an accident.

Kind of poetic to be painting the guts of a massive star that exploded with paint that only exists because a star died

A reminder that SpaceX got $5.9 Billion in US Govt. contracts a few days ago.

Massive (68%) cut to NASA astrophysics proposed in WH budget. If this stands, it's the end of American pre-eminence in space science. arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...

White House NASA budget proposal: two-thirds cut to astrophysics funding; no new space telescopes. The end of the USA as a world player in astronomy.🧪🔭 arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...

Pine Mountain Observatory Director Scott Fisher and I had a terrific time at @plutokiller.com's presentation on Planet Nine this afternoon at @uoregon.bsky.social. It was so thrilling to learn Planet Nine might be found in a matter of weeks after @vrubinobs.bsky.social starts its observations!

From Astrobites: There is a tradition in Astronomy to post silly science papers to the arXiv on Aprils Fools day. We’ve collected them all for 2025 and provided some “peer review”. 🔭✨☄️ astrobites.org/2025/04/03/a...

Astronomy grad students!! 🔭🪐 Applications are now open for the 2026 IPAC Visiting Graduate Student Fellowships. Come work in sunny Pasadena for six months (tuition and stipend covered!) and work on an exciting project with an IPAC scientist (including me!). www.ipac.caltech.edu/page/graduat...

“We see real danger in this moment. We hold diverse political beliefs, but we are united as researchers in wanting to protect independent scientific inquiry. We are sending this SOS to sound a clear warning: the nation’s scientific enterprise is being decimated.” www.statnews.com/2025/03/31/t...

Our April Fools paper from a few years ago arxiv.org/abs/2303.16915

In August, Dr. Brittany Miles will join the Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory faculty, advancing UofA’s legacy in infrared instrumentation and innovation. Dr. Miles studies the atmospheres of exoplanets and isolated, rogue worlds. Read more: bit.ly/3R0m0uF

Walking around DC today, petals are floating in the air, even when there are no cherry trees in sight 💖🌸

Sometimes I get comments like “glad you made time for art!” and don’t think people realize I’m a full-time artist now 😅 The best way to support me is signing up to my email list, buying art, sharing/liking/commenting is extremely kind & helpful too! Thank you 🤗 stellerarts.com/collections/...

Cherry Blossom Festival in DC today. I love it here 🌸

tfw one of the world’s largest centrifuges is at your work but you can’t take rides on it

The atomic spectral lines in this app come from the NIST atomic spectroscopy group, which has provided the world with spectroscopic measurements for 120 years. Today we got word that the federal government is laying off the entire group. 🔭🧪

I was taking a picture of the first flowers I’ve seen this spring in DC and my dog came up to sniff them. Lesson from my dachshund: stop and smell the flowers.

The documentary about my life will be playing in Portland, OR at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) on April 24th. This is definitely the largest venue we’ve screened at and will be played on an IMAX. Cost for tickets is sliding scale (0-15$): omsi.edu/events/reel-...

“Mars is a rock - cold, empty, almost airless, dead. Yet it’s heaven in a way. We can see it in the night sky, a whole other world, but too nearby, too close within the reach of the people who’ve made such a hell of life here on Earth.” -Octavia Butler

I had so much fun giving this talk! #science #LLAP www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTYG...

Happy International Women’s Day! I am so lucky to be mentored by some truly epic women in science. These are some of my heroes: Pam Melroy, Marcia Rieke, Inger Jorgensen.

Stand up for Science in Washington, DC! So many amazing speakers! I am an astrophysicist and I study galaxies. Sometimes when two galaxies cross paths and interact, it can ignite star formation. Thank you @standupforscience.bsky.social, I feel ignited and brighter after such an amazing event!

Let's debunk this whole "space is hard" mantra. Looking at all NASA-led missions launched since 2000, only 4 out of ~60 missions experienced total failures. Two of these were due to issues with the commercial launch vehicle, & two were spacecraft issues. That is a *93% success rate.* (1/n)

Congratulations to @firefly-aerospace.bsky.social for their successful landing on the Moon! CLPS is really tapping into our incredible aerospace industry in the US. Really proud of you Fireflies! Credit: Firefly Aerospace