It flickers really fast between showing the distance and 'ready to jump' even when I'm sitting on top of an asteroid.

it sure does

What platform(s)?

I saw this yesterday on 64bit linux.

I've noticed it recently as well (OS X). I wouldn't say it flickers for me, more like flashes to 'ready to jump' once or twice every once and a while. (I didn't see this behavior prior to the 1.8.128 update)

I've also noticed 'roids scanning from farther away than they should (1000m+ for 750m range Adv Scanner). Could be related.

Win7 64 bit

Snow Leopard

Seen on Snow Leopard as well.

The missile beep also stutters irritatingly, apparently with the same pattern as the jump point flicker. Dunno if it's related or not.

Same on Vista 64

Ok, I think I found the problem. There's information that's calculated in the radar thread and used in the render thread, but the render thread isn't waiting for the radar thread to get done calculating it.

is that why the seekers beep weird too?