A detailed infrared image from the James Webb Space Telescope's NIRCam instrument showcases the OMC2 region, a vibrant star-forming area within the Orion Nebula. The image is dominated by swirling clouds of gas and dust, rendered in shades of red and white, creating a dramatic and dynamic scene. Numerous bright stars are scattered throughout, their brilliance accentuated by prominent eight-pointed diffraction spikes, a characteristic feature of the telescope's optics. The intricate textures and interplay of light and shadow reveal the complex processes of star formation in this active region.

Gorgeous OMC2 (NIRCam image).
This is one of the most active sites of ongoing low and intermediate-mass star formation known today.
Processed by @thocarp.bsky.social
www.flickr.com/photos/19746...

This is a NIRCam image of the Ring Nebula, a planetary nebula. The image shows a central, slightly elongated oval glowing with a soft blue hue. This oval is encircled by a distinct ring of light, transitioning from a bright orange at the edges to a whiter tone closer to the center. The background is a dark expanse peppered with numerous stars of varying brightness.

Ring nebula (NIRCam image).
Processed by George Hatfield.
www.astrobin.com/datbhc

Ignore the polls. We can take this. We have THREE days to get to VOTE OUT FORD! Today and tomorrow at your electoral office or THURSDAY at your polling station. Democracy requires participation. Every. Single. Vote. Matters. #ONpoli voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca/en/election/...

For measles virus and the vaccine, it's a no-brainer.

It's ridiculously infectious, R0~12-18.

It's s a killer. >107K in 2023, mainly unvaxed kids in LMIC.

Vax prevented ~60M from 2020-23.

It also kills memory B cells, so no "natural immunity" for "healthy" immune systems🤦‍♂️

Great work! Every day! Woot!

Nature Awards The John Maddox Prize - Standing up for Science Recognises researchers who stand up and speak out for science and evidence-based policy, advancing public discussion around difficult topics, despite challenges or hostility, and successfully making a...

Nominations are open for this year's Maddox Prize! Awarded by @Nature.com and @senseaboutsci.bsky.social for those who stood up for science, especially if they faced push-back and harassment.

More information here:

www.nature.com/immersive/ma...

Pride Puppy is a joyful, wholesome alphabet book. It is also one of the 9 books in the upcoming SCOTUS case.
People often think ‘banned books’ sell more, but that’s never the case with kidlit, where schools & libraries are typically big buyers. So go out and buy it, or one of the other 8 books. 1/2

White text on turquoise box, with faded image of Supreme Court building on the edges: "Our most basic duty as members of society is to respect and care for each other, no matter how similar or different we may be. Children want to see themselves in books; all children need to see many different kinds of people in books."

Statement by authors and illustrators of books in Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor, Slide 7

pen.org/mahmoud-v-ta...

I love the whimsy!

Just working whimsy into each day. Do we ever need it!!🤪🤗🦄🎈🦄🎈🦄🎈🦄🎈

Disney just laid off the entire staff that makes National Geographic Kids books.

Everyone. Gone.

This hits home both as a parent and as an author of an NG kids book.

Please RT if you care about these books. The CEO of Disney just received a 30% raise, bringing his pay to $41.1 million.

Thank you for the information!!

🤮

CNOY 2025 Fundhub Canada The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities. Let’s change the tune for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because i...

Instead of feeling hopeless, I’m walking this weekend:
Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser
If you’d like to donate for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness, see link below. Or check out Coldest Night of the Year and walk in your community!
cnoy.w-ith.me/Bethfundraises

So lovely! I’m envious.
This is where I am right now. 🥶
My grandmother was Irish. I wonder if she knew what she was in for when she emigrated. 🤗

I’ve been MIA since Christmas. My wee daughter (not wee at all now that she’s a teen) got pneumonia with high fever. She’s ok now. I’m so grateful.

I’m back to a more serious writing schedule next week! Woo!
Writing lets me be a big kid.🎈🦄

Amid Meta Policy Changes, Neo-Nazis Monetize Hate on Instagram Over the past month, Meta has been undergoing a MAGA metamorphosis. In this new more permissive online environment, an investigation by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) has discov...

Meta’s policy changes have allowed neo-Nazi content to flourish on Instagram, with accounts openly spreading hate, antisemitic rhetoric, and Nazi symbols while profiting from it. This unchecked extremism is spreading faster than ever.

Read more:
globalextremism.org/post/neo-naz...

Good news: CDC back to posting MMWR reports
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Bad news: The bird flu data and 3 studies were omitted, and 2 new household-cat transmissions unreported
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/h...

When I read Ford’s interview with Cynthia Mulligan(who keeps asking the tough questions), it’s reiterated for me why I’d never vote for Ford. But I already knew that …🤗

Similar to #Canada, babies in the #UK are at higher risk for #hospitalization and #ICU admission from #COVID. Their data looks deeper at infants < 6 months old which have higher ER attendance, hospital admission and severe hospitalisation rates than the oldest adults 90+! 🧵1/

Now is a good time to mention that Marvel has a trans fem superhero named Escapade, whom I co-created with @brandtandstein.com. she's currently kicking all kinds of ass in the Avengers Academy comic on Marvel Unlimited, and it sure would be great if folks were reading and sharing her adventures.

We are capable of doing so much good for the planet, ourselves and future generations, if we actively seek to be kind to one another.
#kindenessisalovelanguage #kindnessheals #begoodtoeachother #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy #illustration

I can’t drop a heart on something so terrible. But I so appreciate that you continue to keep us informed. Babies need to be protected from Covid and other diseases. They need vaccinations. We need to protect these young lives.

In case you needed *more* reason to check out the "Never Too Old" #StoryBundle, my friend @mariebilodeau.bsky.social tells us why she curated this bundle over on Jenn Brozek's blog. Thanks, Jenn!

📌

📌

So glad you’ve made it home! What a terrible time you’ve had.

📌

📌