Michele Bannister
@astrokiwi.bsky.social
Planetary astronomer @UCNZ: envisioning worlds from here and elsewhere, in a dark & glorious sky. Rutherford Discovery Fellow. Asteroid (10463). Pākehā; she
Pinned
Michele Bannister
@astrokiwi.bsky.social
· Jun 10
Near-future rocket launches could slow ozone recovery
npj Climate and Atmospheric Science - Near-future rocket launches could slow ozone recovery
rdcu.be
New paper day! In 'Near-future rocket launches could slow ozone recovery', we show that scaling up use of launch vehicles 🚀 has a point where the healing of the ozone layer is affected 🧪🛰️
Open access, free to read & share
Open access, free to read & share
Great to see this 3I/ATLAS data now through. A CaSSIS-descendant camera flies on Comet Interceptor, so great practice!
Clarification: it's not the first comet data measured from Mars (cf. comet Siding Spring in 2014)
Clarification: it's not the first comet data measured from Mars (cf. comet Siding Spring in 2014)
#3IATLAS update: we've just pinpointed the comet's path with 10 times more accuracy, using data from our #ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter spacecraft. 😎🧪🔭
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
November 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Great to see this 3I/ATLAS data now through. A CaSSIS-descendant camera flies on Comet Interceptor, so great practice!
Clarification: it's not the first comet data measured from Mars (cf. comet Siding Spring in 2014)
Clarification: it's not the first comet data measured from Mars (cf. comet Siding Spring in 2014)
Reposted by Michele Bannister
From @noirlabastro.bsky.social: Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) gleams against the January sky above three NOIRLab-supported telescopes in this image. The last time it was visible from Earth was about 600,000 years ago. #astronomy
CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/C. Corco
CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/C. Corco
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
From @noirlabastro.bsky.social: Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) gleams against the January sky above three NOIRLab-supported telescopes in this image. The last time it was visible from Earth was about 600,000 years ago. #astronomy
CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/C. Corco
CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/C. Corco
Reposted by Michele Bannister
We have upgraded our geomagnetic forecast today (12 November 2025) to the highest intensity level amid an ongoing solar storm.
Current predictions suggest that the activity will result in potentially the largest solar storm to hit our planet in over two decades.
Current predictions suggest that the activity will result in potentially the largest solar storm to hit our planet in over two decades.
November 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
We have upgraded our geomagnetic forecast today (12 November 2025) to the highest intensity level amid an ongoing solar storm.
Current predictions suggest that the activity will result in potentially the largest solar storm to hit our planet in over two decades.
Current predictions suggest that the activity will result in potentially the largest solar storm to hit our planet in over two decades.
Reposted by Michele Bannister
JWST's recent Cycle 5 call garnered 2,935 proposals (requests to use this amazing telescope and its data 🔭), breaking the record that it set last year! The proposals represent 7,509 unique investigators over a range of career stages, and come from institutions in 59 countries and 47 U.S. states!
November 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
JWST's recent Cycle 5 call garnered 2,935 proposals (requests to use this amazing telescope and its data 🔭), breaking the record that it set last year! The proposals represent 7,509 unique investigators over a range of career stages, and come from institutions in 59 countries and 47 U.S. states!
Reposted by Michele Bannister
November 12, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Deeply happy to have been asked to give a plenary at the 15th Asteroids Comets Meteors conference next year, on 'Interstellar visitors: An overview of observational and theoretical studies with emphasis on 3I/ATLAS'.
November 12, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Deeply happy to have been asked to give a plenary at the 15th Asteroids Comets Meteors conference next year, on 'Interstellar visitors: An overview of observational and theoretical studies with emphasis on 3I/ATLAS'.
I like how this G4 solar storm, which has no expected effect on electricity supply to consumers, comes the week after NEMA did the first full practice exercise for a (100x more severe, for the exercise) solar storm www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Stuff
www.stuff.co.nz
November 12, 2025 at 8:27 AM
I like how this G4 solar storm, which has no expected effect on electricity supply to consumers, comes the week after NEMA did the first full practice exercise for a (100x more severe, for the exercise) solar storm www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Reposted by Michele Bannister
Grid emergency notice sparked by solar storm
Grid emergency notice sparked by solar storm
Transpower has take some southern transmission lines out of service ahead of a severe geomagnetic storm.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 12, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Grid emergency notice sparked by solar storm
Getting closer to this year's Xmas cake. Originally inspired by @beefaerie.bsky.social, the recipe is noted & amended each year. Tweaks from places I've lived: cranberries instead of glace cherries, maple syrup for some treacle, wattle seed in the spices.
November 12, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Getting closer to this year's Xmas cake. Originally inspired by @beefaerie.bsky.social, the recipe is noted & amended each year. Tweaks from places I've lived: cranberries instead of glace cherries, maple syrup for some treacle, wattle seed in the spices.
Reposted by Michele Bannister
Aurora borealis from Longmont, Colorado.
November 12, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Aurora borealis from Longmont, Colorado.
For Earth-based observers, bright sky background around full Moon, and geometry where comet 3I/ATLAS is close on the sky to the Sun, means it's taking a few days for big optical telescopes to get back on the job. All very standard, it's what happens for moving objects.
November 11, 2025 at 8:27 PM
For Earth-based observers, bright sky background around full Moon, and geometry where comet 3I/ATLAS is close on the sky to the Sun, means it's taking a few days for big optical telescopes to get back on the job. All very standard, it's what happens for moving objects.
Reposted by Michele Bannister
Hey look it's a @vrubinobs.bsky.social difference imaging zooniverse game! Help us classify real vs bogus detections with REAL RUBIN DATA! www.zooniverse.org/projects/ebe...
November 11, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Hey look it's a @vrubinobs.bsky.social difference imaging zooniverse game! Help us classify real vs bogus detections with REAL RUBIN DATA! www.zooniverse.org/projects/ebe...
Reposted by Michele Bannister
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was born with different and more ancient chemistry, has been more irradiated, and is speeding toward the Sun faster compared to Solar System comets. It's got a unique personality. But since literally Day 1 it was recognized as a comet and has only ever done comety things.
I've summarized the truth about Loeb's 10 "anomalies" about 3I/ATLAS in one post.
Thanks to @deschscoveries.bsky.social @michael-w-busch.bsky.social @cometary.org and @marshall-eubanks.bsky.social for contributing their expertise!
Thanks to @deschscoveries.bsky.social @michael-w-busch.bsky.social @cometary.org and @marshall-eubanks.bsky.social for contributing their expertise!
Loeb’s 3I/ATLAS “Anomalies” Explained
Avi Loeb continues to claim that 3I/ATLAS has many anomalous behaviors that lead to the conclusion that it “might” be an alien spacecraft. He carefully hedges the probability that it is a spacecraft ...
sites.psu.edu
November 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was born with different and more ancient chemistry, has been more irradiated, and is speeding toward the Sun faster compared to Solar System comets. It's got a unique personality. But since literally Day 1 it was recognized as a comet and has only ever done comety things.
This is particularly sad as Lowell has long been a centre for Solar System planetary astronomy, a rare field internationally 🔭
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
Lowell Observatory slashes research funding in the midst of financial struggle
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 6:53 AM
This is particularly sad as Lowell has long been a centre for Solar System planetary astronomy, a rare field internationally 🔭
Reposted by Michele Bannister
If you don’t do research you’re not an observatory, you’re a tourist attraction. Solidarity to the excellent astronomers at Lowell.
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
Lowell Observatory slashes research funding in the midst of financial struggle
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 4:28 AM
If you don’t do research you’re not an observatory, you’re a tourist attraction. Solidarity to the excellent astronomers at Lowell.
Reposted by Michele Bannister
Looking to start a PhD in Physics & Astronomy in 2026? The team @physicsuol.bsky.social have announced their STFC-funded projects on offer next year, spanning astrophysics, planetary science, and space instrumentation. Deadline: Jan 18th, contact us to learn more!
le.ac.uk/study/resear...
le.ac.uk/study/resear...
November 7, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Looking to start a PhD in Physics & Astronomy in 2026? The team @physicsuol.bsky.social have announced their STFC-funded projects on offer next year, spanning astrophysics, planetary science, and space instrumentation. Deadline: Jan 18th, contact us to learn more!
le.ac.uk/study/resear...
le.ac.uk/study/resear...
First of the cornflowers, last of the freesias. Orlaya is a drifting sea of umbels. #bloomscrolling
First flower vase I've had a chance to pick in quite a while 🌱🇳🇿
First flower vase I've had a chance to pick in quite a while 🌱🇳🇿
November 6, 2025 at 8:34 AM
First of the cornflowers, last of the freesias. Orlaya is a drifting sea of umbels. #bloomscrolling
First flower vase I've had a chance to pick in quite a while 🌱🇳🇿
First flower vase I've had a chance to pick in quite a while 🌱🇳🇿
Delighted to be working with @rjme.bsky.social and the Auckland folks on this major Marsden Council project, which supports our @vrubinobs.bsky.social involvement
Investing in our future with today's best and brightest ideas - the 2025 #MarsdenFund results are out! Ka rawe!
www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/marsden...
www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/marsden...
Marsden in 2025: Investing in our future with today’s best and brightest ideas
Investing in our best for the benefit of us all, Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden, the Marsden Fund in 2025 is supporting novel fundamental research into new medications and therapies, more profitable crop...
www.royalsociety.org.nz
November 5, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Delighted to be working with @rjme.bsky.social and the Auckland folks on this major Marsden Council project, which supports our @vrubinobs.bsky.social involvement
Open consultation & pitch process with the NZ space community. Open consultation & pitch process with the NZ space community. Expert review of proposals.
If I say this enough, it'll happen, right?
If I say this enough, it'll happen, right?
Space Agency looks into possible government-owned and operated satellite
Space Agency looks into possible government-owned and operated satellite
The satellite would monitor things like such as illegal fishing.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 5, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Open consultation & pitch process with the NZ space community. Open consultation & pitch process with the NZ space community. Expert review of proposals.
If I say this enough, it'll happen, right?
If I say this enough, it'll happen, right?
Reposted by Michele Bannister
The transverse term A2 is (3.75+-1.59)e-7 au/day2 (2.4sigma).
i.e. negligible. These are
*not* “unprecedented,
*not* unexpected, I’m unaware of any scientist friends who are “bewildered”. Still a comet, albeit an interesting one whose properties may tell us something about other systems. #3IATLAS
i.e. negligible. These are
*not* “unprecedented,
*not* unexpected, I’m unaware of any scientist friends who are “bewildered”. Still a comet, albeit an interesting one whose properties may tell us something about other systems. #3IATLAS
November 5, 2025 at 2:24 AM
The transverse term A2 is (3.75+-1.59)e-7 au/day2 (2.4sigma).
i.e. negligible. These are
*not* “unprecedented,
*not* unexpected, I’m unaware of any scientist friends who are “bewildered”. Still a comet, albeit an interesting one whose properties may tell us something about other systems. #3IATLAS
i.e. negligible. These are
*not* “unprecedented,
*not* unexpected, I’m unaware of any scientist friends who are “bewildered”. Still a comet, albeit an interesting one whose properties may tell us something about other systems. #3IATLAS
Reposted by Michele Bannister
Updated Comet 3I/ATLAS #3IATLAS orbit dropped from JPL Small-Body Database, including measured positions thru Nov 4.
ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_l...
The “non-gravitational” acceleration terms in the orbit are *barely statistically significant*…the radial term A1 is (1.11+-0.30)e-7 au/day2 (3.7sig)
ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_l...
The “non-gravitational” acceleration terms in the orbit are *barely statistically significant*…the radial term A1 is (1.11+-0.30)e-7 au/day2 (3.7sig)
Small-Body Database Lookup
This website makes extensive use of JavaScript. The top menus will not function without it and most tools will also not work.
ssd.jpl.nasa.gov
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Updated Comet 3I/ATLAS #3IATLAS orbit dropped from JPL Small-Body Database, including measured positions thru Nov 4.
ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_l...
The “non-gravitational” acceleration terms in the orbit are *barely statistically significant*…the radial term A1 is (1.11+-0.30)e-7 au/day2 (3.7sig)
ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_l...
The “non-gravitational” acceleration terms in the orbit are *barely statistically significant*…the radial term A1 is (1.11+-0.30)e-7 au/day2 (3.7sig)
Season of the rhodo continues
November 5, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Season of the rhodo continues
Reposted by Michele Bannister
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
Reposted by Michele Bannister
I recommend this article by @meghanbartels.bsky.social and @leebillings.bsky.social for folks who are looking for *factual* information about why 3I/ATLAS is of interest to planetary astronomers: www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
The Race to Study an Interstellar Comet from Deep Space
Astronomers are hustling to use interplanetary spacecraft to study the interstellar comet dubbed 3I/ATLAS while the sun is hiding it from Earth
www.scientificamerican.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I recommend this article by @meghanbartels.bsky.social and @leebillings.bsky.social for folks who are looking for *factual* information about why 3I/ATLAS is of interest to planetary astronomers: www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Let me say this in plain English: a comet can just be a comet
November 1, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Let me say this in plain English: a comet can just be a comet