Space Slop!

Join hosts Jay Shaffer and Mike Lewinsky for the week of June 29th, 2025, as they cut through the noise and deliver clear, actionable insights into the cosmos.

This week on The StarCast:

• Space Weather Update: Mike provides the latest on solar activity and geomagnetic storm chances – good news for Milky Way viewing!
• This Week in the Night Sky: Jay guides you to spot Mars near the crescent moon and highlights the best time to see the stunning Cygnus Starcloud in the Milky Way.
• Cosmic Events & Discoveries: We break down two exciting stories:
  • Rubin Observatory’s First Images: Mike discusses the initial data release, including new asteroid discoveries, and how AI is essential for processing the massive amount of information.
  • Georgia Fireball & Meteorite Fall: Hear about the dramatic daylight fireball that dropped meteorites near Atlanta, a dream come true for meteorite hunters!
• Junk AI Images & Misinformation: Our main discussion tackles the growing problem of sensationalized and deceptive astronomical content online. Learn how to discern real astrophotography from AI-generated “slop” and why engaging with fake content can inadvertently boost its visibility. Mike and Jay share memorable examples of misleading images and headlines, and offer practical advice for navigating the often-exaggerated world of social media astronomy.
• The Beneficial Side of AI in Astronomy: Discover how AI is genuinely revolutionizing scientific research, from processing petabytes of data from observatories like the Square Kilometer Array to simulating entire universes for cosmological breakthroughs.
• The State of Science Journalism: We explore the challenges of accurate science reporting in mainstream media and the importance of well-informed science journalists.

Tune in to The StarCast to gain a clearer understanding of our universe and how to distinguish fact from fiction in an increasingly crowded digital sky.

Starcast Links:

https://www.photographingspace.com/spot-a-fake-photo/

https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2024/spot-fake-astrophotography/

https://futurism.com/google-ai-fake-spacecraft

https://www.astrowill.page/blog/astronomy-communication-in-the-age-of-slop/

https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/05/20/1092636/astronomers-are-enlisting-ai-to-prepare-for-a-data-downpour/

I want to mention Vannevar Bush’s paradox:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1945/07/as-we-may-think/303881/ which is archived at https://archive.ph/ctk21