Jonathan O'Callaghan
@astrojonny.bsky.social
Freelance space journalist. British Science Journalist of the Year 2024. Words in The New York Times, Scientific American, New Scientist, BBC, WIRED, + more.
Bangkok, Thailand
[email protected]
@astro_jonny on Twitter
https://www.jonathanocallaghan.com/
Bangkok, Thailand
[email protected]
@astro_jonny on Twitter
https://www.jonathanocallaghan.com/
Pinned
A few pics from Bangkok. Bit surreal that we live here now.
Reposted by Jonathan O'Callaghan
Is space-based solar power a pipe dream, or an actual possibility?
With ideas ranging from supercharging satellites to city-size space collectors, I delved into the topic for the BBC in my latest story out today.
Enjoy!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
With ideas ranging from supercharging satellites to city-size space collectors, I delved into the topic for the BBC in my latest story out today.
Enjoy!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Space power: The dream of beaming solar energy from orbit
Harvesting solar energy in orbit and beaming it down to Earth is a decades-old idea. Now, a raft of companies say they could make it a reality.
www.bbc.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Is space-based solar power a pipe dream, or an actual possibility?
With ideas ranging from supercharging satellites to city-size space collectors, I delved into the topic for the BBC in my latest story out today.
Enjoy!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
With ideas ranging from supercharging satellites to city-size space collectors, I delved into the topic for the BBC in my latest story out today.
Enjoy!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Reposted by Jonathan O'Callaghan
NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory will do more than hunt for life in the 2040s.
This summer scientists put forward 100 ideas for the ‘scope including planetary defense, studying Venus, and even observing individual stars in distant galaxies.
Me in Nature Astronomy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This summer scientists put forward 100 ideas for the ‘scope including planetary defense, studying Venus, and even observing individual stars in distant galaxies.
Me in Nature Astronomy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
NASA’s bold new telescope will do more than just hunt for life - Nature Astronomy
The Habitable Worlds Observatory will look for inhabited worlds beyond our Solar System in the 2040s and scientists are dreaming of what else it might do.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:11 AM
NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory will do more than hunt for life in the 2040s.
This summer scientists put forward 100 ideas for the ‘scope including planetary defense, studying Venus, and even observing individual stars in distant galaxies.
Me in Nature Astronomy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This summer scientists put forward 100 ideas for the ‘scope including planetary defense, studying Venus, and even observing individual stars in distant galaxies.
Me in Nature Astronomy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory will do more than hunt for life in the 2040s.
This summer scientists put forward 100 ideas for the ‘scope including planetary defense, studying Venus, and even observing individual stars in distant galaxies.
Me in Nature Astronomy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This summer scientists put forward 100 ideas for the ‘scope including planetary defense, studying Venus, and even observing individual stars in distant galaxies.
Me in Nature Astronomy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
NASA’s bold new telescope will do more than just hunt for life - Nature Astronomy
The Habitable Worlds Observatory will look for inhabited worlds beyond our Solar System in the 2040s and scientists are dreaming of what else it might do.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:11 AM
NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory will do more than hunt for life in the 2040s.
This summer scientists put forward 100 ideas for the ‘scope including planetary defense, studying Venus, and even observing individual stars in distant galaxies.
Me in Nature Astronomy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This summer scientists put forward 100 ideas for the ‘scope including planetary defense, studying Venus, and even observing individual stars in distant galaxies.
Me in Nature Astronomy
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
I've got a really cool story on NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory coming out this afternoon/tonight/tomorrow morning (choose time zone as necessary) in Nature Astronomy.
Stay tuned! A fun piece looking at some of the different science the telescope will be capable of doing.
Stay tuned! A fun piece looking at some of the different science the telescope will be capable of doing.
November 7, 2025 at 7:45 AM
I've got a really cool story on NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory coming out this afternoon/tonight/tomorrow morning (choose time zone as necessary) in Nature Astronomy.
Stay tuned! A fun piece looking at some of the different science the telescope will be capable of doing.
Stay tuned! A fun piece looking at some of the different science the telescope will be capable of doing.
A controversial new study suggests the expansion of the universe isn't accelerating – it's decelerating – and may even end in a Big Crunch.
Fair to say I didn't have a load of positive responses on this one...
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
Fair to say I didn't have a load of positive responses on this one...
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
Is the expansion of the universe slowing down?
It is widely accepted that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, but now researchers say our measurements of the mysterious force driving that may be wrong and that the universe began to ...
www.newscientist.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:47 AM
A controversial new study suggests the expansion of the universe isn't accelerating – it's decelerating – and may even end in a Big Crunch.
Fair to say I didn't have a load of positive responses on this one...
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
Fair to say I didn't have a load of positive responses on this one...
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
Millennial mayor. We’re so back.
November 5, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Millennial mayor. We’re so back.
Space Bluesky, I'm looking for a dark energy expert who is currently awake that could comment on an upcoming paper for me.
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
November 4, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Space Bluesky, I'm looking for a dark energy expert who is currently awake that could comment on an upcoming paper for me.
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
Such a cool piece of reporting this from @squigglyvolcano.bsky.social, who travelled around the US to drive three lunar rovers that are vying for a NASA Moon contract.
www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
An inside look into NASA's next generation moon rovers
A retro-futuristic space truck. A nimble crustacean on wheels. A space-age dune buggy. One will win a multibillion-dollar prize to deploy on a future NASA Artemis mission. But first, we took a ride on...
www.nationalgeographic.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Such a cool piece of reporting this from @squigglyvolcano.bsky.social, who travelled around the US to drive three lunar rovers that are vying for a NASA Moon contract.
www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
This super interesting study found that SpaceX's Starlink constellation reacted to the May 2024 solar storm like a giant wave as the atmosphere swelled.
It highlights some of the challenges constellations face from the sun.
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
It highlights some of the challenges constellations face from the sun.
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
SpaceX's Starlink and other satellites face growing threat from sun
There are now over 10,000 satellites in orbit, more than at any point in history, and this growing number is starting to reveal how solar storms could disrupt internet mega constellations like SpaceX'...
www.newscientist.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:43 AM
This super interesting study found that SpaceX's Starlink constellation reacted to the May 2024 solar storm like a giant wave as the atmosphere swelled.
It highlights some of the challenges constellations face from the sun.
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
It highlights some of the challenges constellations face from the sun.
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
We're in a pretty amazing telescope era
Open Sesame!
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
November 3, 2025 at 8:30 AM
We're in a pretty amazing telescope era
Happy birthday, ISS. Now it’s time to die.
As the space station hits 25 years of continuous occupation with its end in sight, I take a look at what’s coming next.
Story by me in @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
As the space station hits 25 years of continuous occupation with its end in sight, I take a look at what’s coming next.
Story by me in @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
After a Quarter-Century of Hosting Humans, the International Space Station Is Approaching Its End. What Comes Next?
Humans have been in space onboard the ISS continuously for 25 years. As the station nears its end, new commercial habitats are lining up to take its place
www.scientificamerican.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Happy birthday, ISS. Now it’s time to die.
As the space station hits 25 years of continuous occupation with its end in sight, I take a look at what’s coming next.
Story by me in @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
As the space station hits 25 years of continuous occupation with its end in sight, I take a look at what’s coming next.
Story by me in @sciam.bsky.social
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Eager to hear Kim Kardashian's thoughts on Artemis 2
October 31, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Eager to hear Kim Kardashian's thoughts on Artemis 2
Is space-based solar power a pipe dream, or an actual possibility?
With ideas ranging from supercharging satellites to city-size space collectors, I delved into the topic for the BBC in my latest story out today.
Enjoy!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
With ideas ranging from supercharging satellites to city-size space collectors, I delved into the topic for the BBC in my latest story out today.
Enjoy!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Space power: The dream of beaming solar energy from orbit
Harvesting solar energy in orbit and beaming it down to Earth is a decades-old idea. Now, a raft of companies say they could make it a reality.
www.bbc.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Is space-based solar power a pipe dream, or an actual possibility?
With ideas ranging from supercharging satellites to city-size space collectors, I delved into the topic for the BBC in my latest story out today.
Enjoy!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
With ideas ranging from supercharging satellites to city-size space collectors, I delved into the topic for the BBC in my latest story out today.
Enjoy!
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Also really curious to see how people react to humans flying around the Moon again early next year. I imagine most people aren't aware of the mission...
www.space.com/space-explor...
www.space.com/space-explor...
NASA stacks Artemis 2 moon mission's Orion capsule atop SLS rocket ahead of 2026 launch
The rocket stands whole.
www.space.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Also really curious to see how people react to humans flying around the Moon again early next year. I imagine most people aren't aware of the mission...
www.space.com/space-explor...
www.space.com/space-explor...
SpaceX has now launched 10,000 Starlink satellites.
Achieved in just over six years since the first launch in May 2019. Unfathomable.
mashable.com/article/spac...
Achieved in just over six years since the first launch in May 2019. Unfathomable.
mashable.com/article/spac...
SpaceX has launched more than 10,000 satellites into Earth's orbit
Elon Musk's SpaceX has now launched more than 10,000 satellites to date.
mashable.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:40 AM
SpaceX has now launched 10,000 Starlink satellites.
Achieved in just over six years since the first launch in May 2019. Unfathomable.
mashable.com/article/spac...
Achieved in just over six years since the first launch in May 2019. Unfathomable.
mashable.com/article/spac...
Possibly greatest email reply ever
October 21, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Possibly greatest email reply ever
God I love working in coffee shops in Bangkok. Such an amazing variety to explore.
Had a smattering of Tatooine and an urban jungle today.
Had a smattering of Tatooine and an urban jungle today.
October 21, 2025 at 8:37 AM
God I love working in coffee shops in Bangkok. Such an amazing variety to explore.
Had a smattering of Tatooine and an urban jungle today.
Had a smattering of Tatooine and an urban jungle today.
Space debris hitting plane was probably a weather balloon. Still a super interesting case this!
Looks like the UA1093 incident is tentatively confirmed to be a balloon and not space debris, per this exchange on the other site
October 21, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Space debris hitting plane was probably a weather balloon. Still a super interesting case this!
October 21, 2025 at 3:55 AM
October 20, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Is there anyone involved with Europa Clipper that is not currently furloughed/on holiday?
October 20, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Is there anyone involved with Europa Clipper that is not currently furloughed/on holiday?
First Impressions of Earth is such a banging album
October 20, 2025 at 3:37 AM
First Impressions of Earth is such a banging album
Classic "man bites dog" story this one.
We might have seen a black hole falling into a star, not the other way around, and eating it from the inside – producing the longest known gamma-ray burst (25,000 seconds). Cool!
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...
We might have seen a black hole falling into a star, not the other way around, and eating it from the inside – producing the longest known gamma-ray burst (25,000 seconds). Cool!
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...
A black hole fell into a star – then ate its way out again
Stars often fall into black holes, and now it seems the opposite can also occur, producing an extra long-lasting explosion as the star is consumed from within
www.newscientist.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Classic "man bites dog" story this one.
We might have seen a black hole falling into a star, not the other way around, and eating it from the inside – producing the longest known gamma-ray burst (25,000 seconds). Cool!
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...
We might have seen a black hole falling into a star, not the other way around, and eating it from the inside – producing the longest known gamma-ray burst (25,000 seconds). Cool!
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...
Thailand sent space chicken to the ISS on Axiom Mission 4 because reasons #ThaiSpaceExpo2025
October 16, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Thailand sent space chicken to the ISS on Axiom Mission 4 because reasons #ThaiSpaceExpo2025
Great story this!
Ever wonder what happened to that $100 million interstellar spaceship program? Me too. www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
A $100-Million Mission to Another Star Just Disappeared
An abandoned plan to visit another star highlights the perils of billionaire-funded science
www.scientificamerican.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Great story this!