Guy Watkins
@guywatkins.bsky.social
Studying MPhys Astrophysics with Space Science at The Open University. Aspiring astrobiologist/planetary scientist. FRAS. BSc (Hons) Computing, CertHE Natural Sciences. http://guywatkins.space
Pinned
Guy's fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity
Help Guy Watkins raise money to support The Brain Tumour Charity
www.justgiving.com
In solidarity with a friend who started a 9-month course of chemotherapy for brain cancer yesterday (24/10/2025), I'm going sober for the same period. Only 273 days to go! (Ends: Friday 24/07/2026).
I'm hoping to raise £1000 for @braintumourcharity.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
I'm hoping to raise £1000 for @braintumourcharity.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Have you ever wanted to post a summary of a paper you published, post an announcement for the entire #PlanetaryScience community, or write a blog? If so, you probably realized that there are few good solutions for our community.
The Planetary Research Blog aims to fill this void.
The Planetary Research Blog aims to fill this void.
November 17, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Have you ever wanted to post a summary of a paper you published, post an announcement for the entire #PlanetaryScience community, or write a blog? If so, you probably realized that there are few good solutions for our community.
The Planetary Research Blog aims to fill this void.
The Planetary Research Blog aims to fill this void.
No, they're really not.
Astronomers are grappling with a wild idea: Harvard’s Avi Loeb suggests that 3I/ATLAS might have “thrusters” strong jets pointing toward the Sun (its unusual “anti-tail”) possibly hinting at a technological, not just cometary, object.
Credit: David Jewitt / Jane Luu
Credit: David Jewitt / Jane Luu
November 15, 2025 at 9:33 PM
No, they're really not.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
1/3
📸 Seguimos compartiendo nuevas imágenes del cometa C/2025 A6 (Lemmon).
Esta vez, les mostramos la obtenida el 11 de noviembre desde el #ObservatoriodelTeide.
Cámara full-frame + 85 mm f1.4. 140 tomas de 4 s a ISO 3200, sin seguimiento.
D. López y A. Rosenberg / IAC
#c2025a6 #CometaLemmon
📸 Seguimos compartiendo nuevas imágenes del cometa C/2025 A6 (Lemmon).
Esta vez, les mostramos la obtenida el 11 de noviembre desde el #ObservatoriodelTeide.
Cámara full-frame + 85 mm f1.4. 140 tomas de 4 s a ISO 3200, sin seguimiento.
D. López y A. Rosenberg / IAC
#c2025a6 #CometaLemmon
November 14, 2025 at 5:40 PM
1/3
📸 Seguimos compartiendo nuevas imágenes del cometa C/2025 A6 (Lemmon).
Esta vez, les mostramos la obtenida el 11 de noviembre desde el #ObservatoriodelTeide.
Cámara full-frame + 85 mm f1.4. 140 tomas de 4 s a ISO 3200, sin seguimiento.
D. López y A. Rosenberg / IAC
#c2025a6 #CometaLemmon
📸 Seguimos compartiendo nuevas imágenes del cometa C/2025 A6 (Lemmon).
Esta vez, les mostramos la obtenida el 11 de noviembre desde el #ObservatoriodelTeide.
Cámara full-frame + 85 mm f1.4. 140 tomas de 4 s a ISO 3200, sin seguimiento.
D. López y A. Rosenberg / IAC
#c2025a6 #CometaLemmon
In 7 days and 3 hours from now, I will be part of a team from the OU SXPS288 course starting to operate the PIRATE telescope in Tenerife! (weather permitting, of course...) We have our selected globular and open clusters and reference stars agreed, along with contingency targets. 🔭🌋🇮🇨
I'll soon be starting the astronomy project as part of SXPS288 - remotely operating the PIRATE optical telescope on Izaña Ridge near mount Teide in Tenerife (video stills are copyright of The Open University) @osobservatories.bsky.social
@openuniversity.bsky.social telescope.org/about-telesc... 🔭
@openuniversity.bsky.social telescope.org/about-telesc... 🔭
November 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
In 7 days and 3 hours from now, I will be part of a team from the OU SXPS288 course starting to operate the PIRATE telescope in Tenerife! (weather permitting, of course...) We have our selected globular and open clusters and reference stars agreed, along with contingency targets. 🔭🌋🇮🇨
Reposted by Guy Watkins
1/2
☄️ Nueva imagen del #CometaLemmon #C2025A6 sobre el Teide 🌋✨
Captada desde el #ObservatoriodelTeide (Tenerife) el 10 de noviembre.
Se aprecian la #VíaLáctea, el mar de nubes y parte de las Cañadas del Teide y el alto de Guajara.
📸 24 mm f/2, 10 s, ISO 3200
D. López y A. Rosenberg / IAC
☄️ Nueva imagen del #CometaLemmon #C2025A6 sobre el Teide 🌋✨
Captada desde el #ObservatoriodelTeide (Tenerife) el 10 de noviembre.
Se aprecian la #VíaLáctea, el mar de nubes y parte de las Cañadas del Teide y el alto de Guajara.
📸 24 mm f/2, 10 s, ISO 3200
D. López y A. Rosenberg / IAC
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
1/2
☄️ Nueva imagen del #CometaLemmon #C2025A6 sobre el Teide 🌋✨
Captada desde el #ObservatoriodelTeide (Tenerife) el 10 de noviembre.
Se aprecian la #VíaLáctea, el mar de nubes y parte de las Cañadas del Teide y el alto de Guajara.
📸 24 mm f/2, 10 s, ISO 3200
D. López y A. Rosenberg / IAC
☄️ Nueva imagen del #CometaLemmon #C2025A6 sobre el Teide 🌋✨
Captada desde el #ObservatoriodelTeide (Tenerife) el 10 de noviembre.
Se aprecian la #VíaLáctea, el mar de nubes y parte de las Cañadas del Teide y el alto de Guajara.
📸 24 mm f/2, 10 s, ISO 3200
D. López y A. Rosenberg / IAC
The US brain-drain is such a horrendous tragedy.
youtu.be/yLvO070E_dI
youtu.be/yLvO070E_dI
Top researchers consider leaving U.S. amid funding cuts: 'The science world is ending'
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The US brain-drain is such a horrendous tragedy.
youtu.be/yLvO070E_dI
youtu.be/yLvO070E_dI
Reposted by Guy Watkins
TMT Explores a Promising Path Forward in Spain www.tmt.org/news/708 🔭 ☄️
TMT Explores a Promising Path Forward in Spain
TMT is exploring a promising avenue for a new observatory based in Spain.
www.tmt.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
TMT Explores a Promising Path Forward in Spain www.tmt.org/news/708 🔭 ☄️
Reposted by Guy Watkins
ICYMI, VLT observations have revealed the unique shape of a star’s explosion just a day after detection.
It's the first time that astronomers unveil the shape of the explosion at its earliest stage, providing insights into the deaths of massive stars.
https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2520/
🔭 🧪 ☄️
It's the first time that astronomers unveil the shape of the explosion at its earliest stage, providing insights into the deaths of massive stars.
https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2520/
🔭 🧪 ☄️
November 13, 2025 at 10:04 AM
ICYMI, VLT observations have revealed the unique shape of a star’s explosion just a day after detection.
It's the first time that astronomers unveil the shape of the explosion at its earliest stage, providing insights into the deaths of massive stars.
https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2520/
🔭 🧪 ☄️
It's the first time that astronomers unveil the shape of the explosion at its earliest stage, providing insights into the deaths of massive stars.
https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2520/
🔭 🧪 ☄️
Reposted by Guy Watkins
“Globally, despite extreme heat, floods and devastating wildfires, populist leaders, some sceptical but others in outright denial about the science, are talking up the costs of action rather than the consequences of inaction.”
6 global mayors defying climate denying populists
6 global mayors defying climate denying populists
‘Politicians actually taking action’: six world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders
From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are crafting their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 AM
“Globally, despite extreme heat, floods and devastating wildfires, populist leaders, some sceptical but others in outright denial about the science, are talking up the costs of action rather than the consequences of inaction.”
6 global mayors defying climate denying populists
6 global mayors defying climate denying populists
Nice.
In particular, Scott et al. (1979) proposed that a planetary system around Zeta² Reticuli, a nearby solar-type star, listed in the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) catalogue, might be the source of a mysterious transmission.Could such a system actually exist? #exoplanets 🔭
November 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Nice.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
☀️ ESA actively monitoring severe space weather event
On 11 November, an intense solar flare was observed, followed by a coronal mass ejection estimated to arrive at Earth in the late evening today or in the early morning tomorrow.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
On 11 November, an intense solar flare was observed, followed by a coronal mass ejection estimated to arrive at Earth in the late evening today or in the early morning tomorrow.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
November 12, 2025 at 2:45 PM
☀️ ESA actively monitoring severe space weather event
On 11 November, an intense solar flare was observed, followed by a coronal mass ejection estimated to arrive at Earth in the late evening today or in the early morning tomorrow.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
On 11 November, an intense solar flare was observed, followed by a coronal mass ejection estimated to arrive at Earth in the late evening today or in the early morning tomorrow.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Key antenna in NASA’s Deep Space Network damaged
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
Key antenna in NASA’s Deep Space Network damaged
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
spacenews.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Key antenna in NASA’s Deep Space Network damaged
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
🌊 Why launch another sea-level satellite? To build resilience, we need to know how sea level is changing, and why.
Satellites such as #Copernicus Sentinel-6B, set to launch on 17 November, are helping us uncover what’s driving sea-level change.
www.esa.int/Applications...
Satellites such as #Copernicus Sentinel-6B, set to launch on 17 November, are helping us uncover what’s driving sea-level change.
www.esa.int/Applications...
November 11, 2025 at 10:09 AM
🌊 Why launch another sea-level satellite? To build resilience, we need to know how sea level is changing, and why.
Satellites such as #Copernicus Sentinel-6B, set to launch on 17 November, are helping us uncover what’s driving sea-level change.
www.esa.int/Applications...
Satellites such as #Copernicus Sentinel-6B, set to launch on 17 November, are helping us uncover what’s driving sea-level change.
www.esa.int/Applications...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Yes, it is.
No thanks.
No thanks.
![Screenshot from a website saying, "[It] Looks like your ad blocker is on."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5dnnvwti3vi34zgpjv7uyyc3/bafkreifnqpoufdyiiynhju5hox3ogxf6fvztzef2rudow2ijvouriotdtu@jpeg)
November 11, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Yes, it is.
No thanks.
No thanks.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
November 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Reposted by Guy Watkins
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 🔭
Durham University designing camera to search for alien life to be installed on the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) @durham.ac.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Durham University designing camera to search for alien life
Durham University is working with a UK team to develop a camera that can examine Earth-like planets.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Durham University designing camera to search for alien life to be installed on the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) @durham.ac.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
I like this piece a lot about Rosalind Franklin’s role in solving the structure of DNA. It really respects her as a full scientist - what she saw, what she didn’t appreciate, what could have been if she’d had true peers to support her, or had not died so young.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:00 AM
I like this piece a lot about Rosalind Franklin’s role in solving the structure of DNA. It really respects her as a full scientist - what she saw, what she didn’t appreciate, what could have been if she’d had true peers to support her, or had not died so young.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Do space environments have value? If we find life on Mars, what are our responsibilities?
Our own Dr Emma Purenen discusses these and more questions about Astrobiology Ethics in our latest video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxO...
#worldspaceweek #WSW2025 #SpaceEthics
Our own Dr Emma Purenen discusses these and more questions about Astrobiology Ethics in our latest video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxO...
#worldspaceweek #WSW2025 #SpaceEthics
November 7, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Do space environments have value? If we find life on Mars, what are our responsibilities?
Our own Dr Emma Purenen discusses these and more questions about Astrobiology Ethics in our latest video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxO...
#worldspaceweek #WSW2025 #SpaceEthics
Our own Dr Emma Purenen discusses these and more questions about Astrobiology Ethics in our latest video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxO...
#worldspaceweek #WSW2025 #SpaceEthics
What a letdown 😞
UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests
UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests
Decision is bitter blow to Brazil ahead of fund’s launch at Cop30 – and an embarrassment to Prince William
The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit.
Keir Starmer flew to Belém, at the mouth of the Amazon, on Wednesday to join the summit of world leaders hosted by Brazil’s president, Lula da Silva. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:55 PM
What a letdown 😞
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Antarctica – Domain One. Search for waves in the frozen south. Premiering this weekend at London Surf Film Festival... more here > tinyurl.com/338ujb8w
Antarctica – Domain One - Carvemag.com
Eploring the frozen south.
tinyurl.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Antarctica – Domain One. Search for waves in the frozen south. Premiering this weekend at London Surf Film Festival... more here > tinyurl.com/338ujb8w
Reposted by Guy Watkins
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 8:02 AM
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
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Observation requests for M35, M37 and M15 submitted to the @openuniversity.bsky.social telescope team who run PIRATE out in Tenerife.
Now the waiting begins…
#astronomy #space #photometry
Now the waiting begins…
#astronomy #space #photometry
November 3, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Observation requests for M35, M37 and M15 submitted to the @openuniversity.bsky.social telescope team who run PIRATE out in Tenerife.
Now the waiting begins…
#astronomy #space #photometry
Now the waiting begins…
#astronomy #space #photometry