Woo-hoo - go @eso.org! Impact confirmed 💥 "The Very Large Telescope spectra taken with the UVES instrument, show emission lines of sodium & lithium. The sodium likely originated from the lunar soil, whereas the lithium could come from the rocket itself." 🔭🧪

ESO@eso.org · 13h ago

Earlier today, the discarded upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket impacted on the Moon. As part of a coordinated observing campaign, our Very Large Telescope detected spectral lines of sodium and lithium gas in the impact plume lasting for 5-10 minutes after impact. 🔭 🧪 📷 ESO/C. Schmidt et al. 1/4

Those days where events come along, smash in your office door, tear up your plans and throw them out of the window… that’s today! 🚀 💥 🌖 😂

They are particularly photogenic scientific discovery machines! I’ve been using them in my research for more than 20 years, and I still look out for each and every one of them whenever I’m nearby 🤩

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans@astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 3d ago

I mean, just look at these beauties.... 🤩

"There are shades of the departed Starmer government in this saga: @ukri.org wants to tell a big story about science funding going up, but instead is mired in a row over a fairly minor sum.... One does not have to be an astronomer to know that optics matter." 👌🔭 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Guardian view on the Lovell telescope: budget cuts to physics are bad science and worse politics | Editorial

Editorial: Funders have picked a damaging fight with scientists and the public. They should reconsider their plans

theguardian.com

The new UkGov "may be more willing to hold UKRI to account for its specific prioritisation decisions based on the reality that they are political choices with political consequences". 🤞 #SaveUKAstronomy #SaveJodrellBank

Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social · 6d ago

Jodrell Bank cuts first test to Burnham’s regional ambitions. Key sector figures hope there could be ways to restore funding for ‘iconic’ observatory as Greater Manchester MP says decision undermines PM's devolution message. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Hello lovely people! Does anybody have a photograph of a partial solar eclipse viewed through a colander that they would be prepared to let me use please? Ping me here or drop me an email if you can help. Thanks! 🌞

Sadly it's not just #JodrellBank losing funding, with deep cuts across the board for UK astronomy. One example is the HiPERCAM project whose funding has been entirely cut to save £50K/yr - peanut-levels of £s. Spectacular fast transient science lost, for what? 🔭😡 www.zmescience.com/science/astr...

One of Astronomy’s Fastest Cameras May Stop Operating Over a $67,000 Funding Gap

The camera that checked JWST’s clock is losing its funding.

zmescience.com

Good to see the STFC funding cuts getting more coverage today - BBC Breakfast was at Jodrell Bank this morning, and I’m quoted in an article in the Telegraph!

Well, you can imagine how dreadful I think this is. In the meantime, you should all go and visit their brand new excellent, excellent visitor centre. www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

Jodrell Bank Observatory facing closure after major funder cuts support

Scientists say decision is blow to UK astronomy as deep space observatory is home to world-leading facilities

theguardian.com

Like many colleagues across our community, I’m dismayed by these cuts. The UK should be building on its scientific strengths, not retreating from them, especially as a new government and new science minister seek to define the country’s future ambitions.

Royal Astronomical Society@royalastrosoc.bsky.social · last wk.

The Royal Astronomical Society is shocked and dismayed to hear that the UK's iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory is at risk of closure amid a slew of catastrophic budget cuts. Read our full statement here: ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...

BBC News headline: “UK's iconic Jodrell Bank telescope faces axe in science cuts”. Devastating news for UK radio astronomy and really shortsighted. These facilities train large numbers of very capable people who make a difference in a wide variety of careers www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Jodrell Bank's Lovell telescope faces axe in science cuts, BBC understands

Astronomers warn it would tear the heart out of UK science, and leave a generation untrained.

bbc.co.uk

Another awesome example of easy eclipse viewing techniques! Thanks @seanmcp.bsky.social 😀

Sean McPherson@seanmcp.bsky.social · 2w ago

Example from Fernley NV USA August 21 2017

If you fancy watching the August 12th 2026 partial eclipse and are in the west midlands, Shropshire Astronomical Society are hosing a family-friendly viewing party from 12pm! Rodington Village Hall (nr Shrewsbury) with safe eclipse viewing, planetariums show, arts and crafts, raffle, and lots more.

Here’s a great example of what you see during a partial solar eclipse using a tree canopy as a makeshift pinhole camera 🤩

Andy Newsam@astroandyn.bsky.social · 2w ago

And here's an example during a partial eclipse (France, 2005):

The August 12th solar eclipse is less than three weeks away! The easiest and safest way to watch is to find some trees and watch the shadows - here’s an example, each little patch of light is an image of the sun! During the eclipse the moon will obscure part of the sun and the shape will change.

Dr Megan Argo@astromeg.bsky.social · 3w ago

Four weeks on Wednesday, there will be a #SolarEclipse visible as a partial eclipse across large parts of North America and Western Europe, and some of Africa. If you are very lucky, you will be in just the right place to see a total eclipse: eastern Greenland, western Iceland, northern Spain.

Fabulous workshop by @marymcintyreastro.bsky.social at Shropshire Astronomical Society’s Summer Social last night! I’ve seen plenty of sketches from Mary’s workshops at other events but this is the first time I’ve been able to have a go myself. Pretty pleased with my first crater sketch 🌗

Four weeks on Wednesday, there will be a #SolarEclipse visible as a partial eclipse across large parts of North America and Western Europe, and some of Africa. If you are very lucky, you will be in just the right place to see a total eclipse: eastern Greenland, western Iceland, northern Spain.

"What are those bright stars in the sky right now?" Good question! It's a couple of planets, Venus and Jupiter. Here's a spotter's guide, courtesy of Stellarium. The lines are separated by five degrees.

I just sent this letter to the Science Minister and the CEO of UKRI concerning STFC's budgets

“What is that bright star in the west?” That’s the planet Venus! It will be visible in the evening sky for a while so do look west after sunset.

Mark diaries: solar #eclipse 4 months from today! UK #scicomm chums, if you're planning an event for the 🌞🌚🌍 partial alignment, @gostargazing.bsky.social are offering v reasonable rates for solar-spec bulk-buys: 200 for £25. Deadline for orders is end of May! ℹ️: gostargazing.co.uk/solar-glasse...

Solar glasses for the August 2026 partial eclipse - Go Stargazing

Astronomy enthusiasts in the United Kingdom are in for a celestial treat this August as a partial solar eclipse graces the skies. This rare and

gostargazing.co.uk

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans@astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Mark diaries: 1 yr from today! 12th Aug 2026: total solar eclipse🌞🌚🌍 for Northern Spain, Greenland and West Iceland. Where's the best spot? Well eclipsophile.com has kindly calculated the average Aug cloud cover & Spain looks v promising 🧪🔭 📷: M Tomasso ℹ️: www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/sola...

Just… wow 🤩 Earth as seen from Artemis II, on its way to the Moon. Aurora over both hemispheres, lightning, zodiacal light… and just think how many sleeping humans are contained in this image. More info and links to other mission imagery: www.nasa.gov/image-articl...

It's only worth going back to the Moon if it makes us look properly again at Earth, and appreciate how beautiful, precious and fragile what we have here is. The most famous images from Apollo aren't about the Moon - they're pictures of Earth. We need to stop taking our home for granted.

Stopped by the ground floor to say hello to Neil and Buzz before I left work today 😁

Started my day at 5am by talking to BBC News, had a chat with BBC local radio earlier, and will be on 5 Live later this evening. A very long day, keeping going with coffee and Mars bars, but looking forward to seeing Artemis II launch. Fingers crossed for a safe launch & a smooth ride for the crew!

I’m so tired, but determined to stay up to watch (hopefully) the launch of Artemis II! Between getting up before 5am to talk to BBC News, staying up to talk to 5 Live at 10.45pm (and others in between) it’s a veeeeeeery long day 😂 #excited

Mooooooon! iPhone through binoculars. I know, I know, SLS is nuts, we can explore more cheaply with robots, etc, etc, but I’m excited to see humans going back to the Moon. There is just something that much more visceral about having humans go there. #artemis #moon

It was a real pleasure to record an interview this week with Dr Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists for their latest podcast episode all about the exploration of the Moon! You can hear the whole episode, and find out how well chick peas grow in lunar regolith 😋, here:

Return to the Moon

Reigniting humanity's journey beyond Earth..

thenakedscientists.com

Looking forward to talking all things Moon-related with high school teachers tomorrow at a CPD event run by The PTI! I’ve been doing subject talks for them for around 10 years now, so much fun talking with teachers who are passionate about their subject - and sharing that with their students

And another! This time requesting my highly valued expertise at the 3rd International Summit on Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering where, apparently, my participation would add tremendous value 😆 #ComedyConferenceInvites