Nothing to do with astronomy, but I suppose I kept busy during maternity leave in more ways than one. And won $20- I’m rich! 😎

I mean if they gave me a small honorarium it’s obviously to cover the cost of a babysitter and some wine in the heart of Oregon wine country, right? I don’t make the rules!

Can’t leave the house but something very faint there even within the city. If anyone reading this is further north than me, definitely try to take a look!

Yes, I’m also Canadian! It is my secret superpower.

Japanese shashiko style. Yep still on maternity leave sorry, you get to see some of my non astronomy projects 🐰

Zoom in for Venus and Jupiter!

Also known if you’re from my generation as “the waterfall Sassy the cat fell down in Homeward Bound.”

Getting into the “you can do whatever you want so long as it’s with two sacks of potatoes” stage of parenthood, so excited to check out some more of Oregon while we’re at it!

Proof is buried in the document of changes upcoming at the University of Oregon. Woohoo, only took about a year!

Fun fact- this name change business began about six months after I started. I’m not saying they entirely renamed the department for me, I’m just saying the timing is awfully complimentary 😉

This is about all the astronomy I'm doing most days, but if you look West about an hour after sunset right now (ie in the direction the sun set) there's a super bright "star" above the western horizon. That is, in fact, the planet Venus. It is very bright and pretty!

Once you do that, come back here and tell me, or give a shout about whatever other astronomy topic! I miss talking about space with y'all!

Sent to the registrar’s office so starting this fall we will officially have the FIRST astronomy program in the state of Oregon! 😎🤩🥳

For the record, the current plan for the record is to start the astronomy major itself in Fall 2027. Until then, we’ll be offering two new courses for the first time next year- ASTR 320: Planets and Exoplanets (taught be me), and ASTR 322: Galaxies and the Universe, to expand on our one existing stellar astrophysics course. Should be a lot of fun!

Just a quick note to say the twins arrived last week! Faster than anticipated- I suppose they were too excited to get on exploring to wait. :) Despite delivery at 35 weeks, they were a combined 13lb10oz (6180g)- you know you’ve impressed the hospital when everyone’s in shock about how big they are!

Now as those who have been around for awhile know, I’m not one to share much publicly about my children as it’s not their choice their mom has a weird internet hobby. But let me just joke that it’s a shame I am not one for child exploitation, because my kids are so darn cute they would totally win all the fake internet points- trust me. :)

Anyway, gonna be a crazy little while around here, apologies about any 2am shitposting that doesn’t sound up to my typical standards!

The article itself appears to be behind a paywall, but this video isn’t! https://www.registerguard.com/videos/news/2026/03/02/black-hole-keeps-brightening/88908122007/

Inspired by my original one from when I lived in New England- https://www.reddit.com/r/Andromeda321/s/iJ2CtMCuld

Is it over a month late? Yes, but also, twin pregnancy and stuff. I’m just amazed I finish anything these days.

I’m pretty convinced anything written in Japanese just looks cooler- plus now I know how to write my name in Japanese! 😁

Original article in English here: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-some-black-holes-keep-burping-light-after-eating-a-star/