Mathew Owens
@mathewjowens.bsky.social
Space physicist doing a poor impersonation of a meteorologist at the University of Reading.
https://mathewjowens.github.io/
https://mathewjowens.github.io/
Reposted by Mathew Owens
🚨Airbus has just confirmed to me that this issue does indeed relate to single-event upsets, also known as bit flips🚨
This is pretty massive.
There is scant detail so far but they say "solar radiation" has caused problems for some aircraft.
This *could* be related to single-event upsets, where cosmic rays trigger computer errors. I've asked Airbus if they can share more detail.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
There is scant detail so far but they say "solar radiation" has caused problems for some aircraft.
This *could* be related to single-event upsets, where cosmic rays trigger computer errors. I've asked Airbus if they can share more detail.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
Flight disruption warning as Airbus requests modifications to 6,000 planes
The European aerospace giant said it had found that intense radiation from the Sun could corrupt data crucial to flight controls.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 10:07 PM
🚨Airbus has just confirmed to me that this issue does indeed relate to single-event upsets, also known as bit flips🚨
Reposted by Mathew Owens
An interesting #spaceweather story developing. Airbus has made a statement saying that “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Flights disrupted as Airbus requests modifications to thousands of planes
About 6,000 plans are thought to be affected, about half the European aerospace giant's global fleet.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
An interesting #spaceweather story developing. Airbus has made a statement saying that “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Oh course it can't possibly make up for the disaster that is NASA funding, but a super positive statement from Europe.
The #CM25 historic increase of 3.5% per year beyond inflation for Science will enable some of the most imaginative missions in our history and bolster European scientific leadership.
First step: deliver the #CosmicVision missions such as LISA & NewAthena. The next great leap is #Voyage2050 🔭 🧪
First step: deliver the #CosmicVision missions such as LISA & NewAthena. The next great leap is #Voyage2050 🔭 🧪
Today marks a milestone for European space exploration. The largest contributions in the history of the European Space Agency, €22.1 billion, were just approved at our Ministerial Council meeting in Bremen, Germany. #CM25
More details 👇 www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
More details 👇 www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
November 27, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Oh course it can't possibly make up for the disaster that is NASA funding, but a super positive statement from Europe.
First female professor in the UK! Can't but feel we did her a huge disservice by naming *that* building after her. Maybe it's a metaphor for the byzantine systems she had to navigate?
November 27, 2025 at 11:18 AM
First female professor in the UK! Can't but feel we did her a huge disservice by naming *that* building after her. Maybe it's a metaphor for the byzantine systems she had to navigate?
Happy days! Last lecture done for the year and @deephysics1729.bsky.social has passed his PhD viva.
November 27, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Happy days! Last lecture done for the year and @deephysics1729.bsky.social has passed his PhD viva.
Reposted by Mathew Owens
For more than a decade now the government’s answer to how to fund universities has been to make money from overseas students.
The last lot then tried to discourage students from coming here.
This lot just want the money back.
But then how do we fund ourselves?
Crazy.
The last lot then tried to discourage students from coming here.
This lot just want the money back.
But then how do we fund ourselves?
Crazy.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 24, 2025 at 7:43 AM
For more than a decade now the government’s answer to how to fund universities has been to make money from overseas students.
The last lot then tried to discourage students from coming here.
This lot just want the money back.
But then how do we fund ourselves?
Crazy.
The last lot then tried to discourage students from coming here.
This lot just want the money back.
But then how do we fund ourselves?
Crazy.
Yes Adobe, I'm examining a PhD thesis. These things take time. So kindly please bugger off and leave me to it.
November 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Yes Adobe, I'm examining a PhD thesis. These things take time. So kindly please bugger off and leave me to it.
Reading (the UK town): Has bid to be a city four times.
Also Reading: Central library is closed on a Wednesday.
(Yes, there's a lack of reading opportunities in Reading.)
Also Reading: Central library is closed on a Wednesday.
(Yes, there's a lack of reading opportunities in Reading.)
November 19, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reading (the UK town): Has bid to be a city four times.
Also Reading: Central library is closed on a Wednesday.
(Yes, there's a lack of reading opportunities in Reading.)
Also Reading: Central library is closed on a Wednesday.
(Yes, there's a lack of reading opportunities in Reading.)
Obligatory SNOWS vid from Reading, UK.
November 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Obligatory SNOWS vid from Reading, UK.
Oh, it's going to be a cold run to work this morning.
November 18, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Oh, it's going to be a cold run to work this morning.
Reposted by Mathew Owens
It's a useful reminder that sometimes tech can make a task more efficient for one side (applying for jobs), and more efficient for the other side (writing job adverts), and yet make the system as a whole completely inefficient.
November 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM
It's a useful reminder that sometimes tech can make a task more efficient for one side (applying for jobs), and more efficient for the other side (writing job adverts), and yet make the system as a whole completely inefficient.
Most forecast centres (including us!) got that first CME arrival bang on. The big differences are for the subsequent CMEs.
SPWC predict >1400 km/s at Earth. HUXt around 850-950 km/s. It must be different assessments of the CME initial speeds; the models themselves aren't that different.
SPWC predict >1400 km/s at Earth. HUXt around 850-950 km/s. It must be different assessments of the CME initial speeds; the models themselves aren't that different.
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Most forecast centres (including us!) got that first CME arrival bang on. The big differences are for the subsequent CMEs.
SPWC predict >1400 km/s at Earth. HUXt around 850-950 km/s. It must be different assessments of the CME initial speeds; the models themselves aren't that different.
SPWC predict >1400 km/s at Earth. HUXt around 850-950 km/s. It must be different assessments of the CME initial speeds; the models themselves aren't that different.
Reposted by Mathew Owens
Here’s our one-two-three punch! 🥊 🥊🥊 According to the latest run of the HUXt model the third CME is expected to impact on 13th November at around 13 UT. This is going to be a tiring couple of days 😅 #SpaceWeather #StephsStormWatch
November 11, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Here’s our one-two-three punch! 🥊 🥊🥊 According to the latest run of the HUXt model the third CME is expected to impact on 13th November at around 13 UT. This is going to be a tiring couple of days 😅 #SpaceWeather #StephsStormWatch
All aboard the CME train.
November 11, 2025 at 7:39 PM
All aboard the CME train.
Stopped on my run home across @uniofreading.bsky.social campus to chat to this little fella. First hedgehog I've seen for at least a decade. What a beauty.
November 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Stopped on my run home across @uniofreading.bsky.social campus to chat to this little fella. First hedgehog I've seen for at least a decade. What a beauty.
Reposted by Mathew Owens
Have you heard? There are TWO CMEs directed right at Earth that could cause geomagnetic storming starting tomorrow.
Here is an animation of some of these blasts coming from the Sun (center) to Earth (black dot). This comes from the HUXt model.
#heliophysics
Here is an animation of some of these blasts coming from the Sun (center) to Earth (black dot). This comes from the HUXt model.
#heliophysics
November 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Have you heard? There are TWO CMEs directed right at Earth that could cause geomagnetic storming starting tomorrow.
Here is an animation of some of these blasts coming from the Sun (center) to Earth (black dot). This comes from the HUXt model.
#heliophysics
Here is an animation of some of these blasts coming from the Sun (center) to Earth (black dot). This comes from the HUXt model.
#heliophysics
Reposted by Mathew Owens
📊 Latest HUXt forecast shows 2 CMEs from AR4274 arriving on 12 Nov at ~4 & 15UT respectively. AR4274 is delivering a one-two punch!⚡️🥊 G2+ storm conditions increasingly likely. Aurora prospects strong for northern UK despite poor weather forecast.
#SpaceWeather #StephsStormWatch
#SpaceWeather #StephsStormWatch
November 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
📊 Latest HUXt forecast shows 2 CMEs from AR4274 arriving on 12 Nov at ~4 & 15UT respectively. AR4274 is delivering a one-two punch!⚡️🥊 G2+ storm conditions increasingly likely. Aurora prospects strong for northern UK despite poor weather forecast.
#SpaceWeather #StephsStormWatch
#SpaceWeather #StephsStormWatch
Reposted by Mathew Owens
The HUXt model forecasts a direct hit but at a slightly later time of 12th Nov ~3:30 UT. Weather forecast still looks bad... 🫣
November 10, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The HUXt model forecasts a direct hit but at a slightly later time of 12th Nov ~3:30 UT. Weather forecast still looks bad... 🫣
Reposted by Mathew Owens
![Cartoon by Stephen Collins for The Guardian. Script as follows:
[scene is Winston Churchill in a bbc studio, giving his 'finest hour' speech]
1
CHURCHILL:
The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us.
2
CHURCHILL:
Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war.
3
CHURCHILL:
If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free
and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sun-
BBC PRESENTER:
Thank you prime minister
4
BBC PRESENTER:
Mr hitler, your response?
5
HITLER [in the studio]:
Vell zis is hysterical woke nonsense as usual from mr Churchill
6
HITLER:
What we are proposing -
CHURCHILL:
Hang on
7
HITLER:
Let me finish - what we are proposing eez a simple power-sharing arrangement -
8
CHURCHILL:
What's he doing here
BBC PRESENTER:
It's important we hear both sides of the debate
9
CHURCHILL:
This isn't a debate
You don't debate fascists
10
HITLER:
Oh here we go with ze Godwins law!
11
HITLER:
Why must you people always compare ze things you don't like to 'fascists, Nazis, Hitler'...
CHURCHILL:
Because you are a fascist Nazi Hit-
12
HITLER [standing up, saluting]:
RAUSS!
BBC PRESENTER:
*Please* Mr Churchill let him speak
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreibw4ldc3fhslbvxgy2oqrof2oys5kpgh7zu6a5f3usmx3lf4547qm@jpeg)
My 13yo son just managed to perfectly lampoon my AV obsession:
"They should restart the fireworks. The sound and picture are out of sync."
"They should restart the fireworks. The sound and picture are out of sync."
November 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
My 13yo son just managed to perfectly lampoon my AV obsession:
"They should restart the fireworks. The sound and picture are out of sync."
"They should restart the fireworks. The sound and picture are out of sync."
All fairly low hit confidence though. We might get a log-jam of six CMEs, we might get nothing.
The HUXt model shows just how busy it has been in terms of solar activity - lots of random features and arrivals expected over the next few days. It'll be important to keep an eye on things (aka keeping my eyes glued to a screen 🤣)
November 6, 2025 at 2:07 PM
All fairly low hit confidence though. We might get a log-jam of six CMEs, we might get nothing.
"We'd like to invite you to a breakfast meeting."
No. Arrange work meetings in work hours.
No. Arrange work meetings in work hours.
November 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"We'd like to invite you to a breakfast meeting."
No. Arrange work meetings in work hours.
No. Arrange work meetings in work hours.
"Model contains same biases as its training data" shocker.
When ChatGPT was asked to rate 40,000 résumés, it ranked the older male candidates as better quality than the younger female applicants.
Age and gender distortion in online media and large language models - Nature
Stereotypes of age-related gender bias are socially distorted, as evidenced by the age gap in the representations of women and men across various media and algorithms, despite no systematic age differ...
www.nature.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:10 AM
"Model contains same biases as its training data" shocker.
The HUXt ensemble: Because at least now you know how much we don't know.
The HUXt model currently shows the filament CME arriving ahead of NOAA SWPC predictions - at ~18 UT on Nov 1. Note the -13.2/+27.4 hr uncertainty, yikes! The plot also shows speed ramping down with another CIR/HSS beginning around 11/7.
go.theauroraguy.com/huxtmodel
go.theauroraguy.com/huxtmodel
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 AM
The HUXt ensemble: Because at least now you know how much we don't know.
Reposted by Mathew Owens
The voting system is pretty good, the recommended candidate list looks reasonable, and giving the chair your proxy votes against the ‘Restore Trust’ (🤢)-backed insurance motion, which is frankly unhinged.
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Takes seconds. Please vote.
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
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secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Log In
Welcome to the National Trust 2025 voting website, hosted by independent voting service provider Civica Election Services.
secure.cesvotes.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The voting system is pretty good, the recommended candidate list looks reasonable, and giving the chair your proxy votes against the ‘Restore Trust’ (🤢)-backed insurance motion, which is frankly unhinged.
Takes seconds. Please vote.
Takes seconds. Please vote.