"Unfortunately the first attempt hit a mere 1,152 km/h (716 mph), which is just shy of the sound barrier at 1,235 km/h at 39% system efficiency and some components clearly breaking apart. Some more redesigns later and with a lighter projectile at 4 grams, a 40 kg weight achieved an arm speed of 2,342 rpm. The projectile now left the sling with 346.4 m/s, or 1,249 km/h, with an audible snap as the sound barrier got broken."
https://hackaday.com/2026/08/09/creating-a-supersonic-trebuchet/

@biff52 @AlterNewt @TidalFlats @glasspusher @12thRITS
Chick magnet.

@edwilk @AlterNewt @TidalFlats @glasspusher @12thRITS
Stylin'!

@edwilk @TidalFlats @glasspusher @12thRITS @biff52

Yay!

@AlterNewt @TidalFlats @glasspusher @12thRITS @biff52

@TidalFlats @edwilk @AlterNewt @biff52

Dealing with the public, some things never change

Dream of a lifetime coming true tonight: Some friends and I are finally going to get to see "Forbidden Planet" in a real movie theater.

No edits, just Wolfie and woodland:

#EveningWalk #mondog #forest #DogsOfMastodon

Everyone thinks everything has gotten worse

Here’s some things that actually haven’t:

• Weather forecasting: it’s better than ever (outside of the US)
• Solar: cheaper than natural gas
• Coal: essentially dying from not being cheaper than natgas or solar
• Timekeeping: now accurate over galactic timescales
• Flash storage: surpassing spinning rust
• Public transit ridership in the US: Amtrak is posting the best numbers ever
• Union membership in the US: rising
• Murder rates: falling in the US and worldwide on average, believe it or not
• CFC’s: essentially abolished and gone, the biggest environmental win of our lifetimes
• Acid rain: increasingly a nearly-solved issue
• Electrical access: still rising worldwide
• Internet access: most people are now connected everywhere
• China is leading the way in green tech and actively working to get off fossil fuels
• You can charge an EV from 0 to 80% in 15 minutes with the newest chargers and tech, and it’s still getting faster

And so much more. Lots of quiet wins that people never hear about because all they do is doomscroll.

@TidalFlats @glasspusher @AlterNewt @biff52
What? And give-up showbusiness?

@edwilk @TidalFlats @AlterNewt @biff52 hawt

RE: https://live.acarsdrama.com/@acarsdrama/117068340258827755

It's so easy to leave your Abominable Snowman in the cockpit at the end of the flight.

@12thRITS Paradise by the dashboard light?

Afternoon delight?

Aside from all of the fluids, how was the play?
@edwilk @glasspusher @AlterNewt @biff52 #Chunderroad
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/aug/09/the-secret-lives-of-theatre-workers-people-were-having-full-sex-in-the-stalls

So the White House has plans for a golden age of science, eh? Just like their plan for a quick war with Iran, I suppose. Whatever those clowns decide to do won't work, will further diminish our country in the eyes of the world, and will waste billions of dollars while further enriching a few criminals.

You can count on it.

Great to see the Guardian highlighting the mutual aid work of clean air clubs and mask blocs who have been distributing free N95 masks and air purifiers in areas affected by wildfire smoke 👏 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/09/us-wildfire-smoke-clean-air-clubs

7 healthy puppies! #dogsofmastodon #servicedogs

Ever had one of those days? I'm having 2 of them today.

My palate cleanser: Today #Hammy (on the right) met his bruddah from another muddah!

#DogsOfBsky #DogsOfBlueSky

Holy mf'in chit

This is the way

Stars becoming visible in the evening sky as seen from the mountains of southern New Mexico.

Brilliant Venus is in the lower left quadrant and is the brightest object in the frame.

Along the left edge is the star Spica in the constellation Virgo.

Along the upper edge, left of center is the star Arcturus, and the Big Dipper is in the upper right quadrant.

The lights of the village of La Luz are sprinkled along the floor of the Tularosa basin.

#NewMexico #Evening #Twilight #Photography #Astrophotography #Venus #Spica #Virgo #Arcturus #BigDipper