Prof Jim Wild
@jim-wild.bsky.social
President of the Royal Astronomical Society, Professor of Space Physics at Lancaster University and lover of all things spacey. Fell-runner, EV enthusiast, film/soundtrack geek and curry fan. My own views etc.
🎉 Happy new year (on Mars) 🎉 Fun fact: the convention for counting years in the martian calendar started in 1955 and this is the 39th martian year. More fun facts at: www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
Happy New Year on Mars
30 September 2026 marks the start of a new year on Mars. At exactly 10:16 CEST/08:16 UTC on Earth, the Red Planet begins a new orbit around our Sun.
esa.int
It's been 7 months since I gave evidence at the UKGov select committee hearing, on the policy changes at UKRI which have had a catastrophic impact on funding for UK astronomy and particle physics. When asked if we thought we were the "canary in the coal mine", we said yes..... we weren't wrong. 🧪🔭⚛️
Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social · 14h agoMRC success rates drop sharply after grants overhaul. Warnings of “catastrophic” impact on medical researchers as some rates fall below 5 per cent. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Fabulous that humanity has regained the ability to image the Earth's entire auroral oval from orbit. Well done to the whole SMILE/UVI team! 👏 Note how the whole oval seen here is in daylight These ultraviolet images were captured during the middle of summer in the northern hemisphere 👀
ESA Space Science@science.esa.int · 15h agoInspector Smile is ready for science! 🫡 This is Smile’s first ultraviolet view showing an auroral substorm. With the ultraviolet camera now operational, Smile becomes the first spacecraft since 2008 to capture the full ring of northern lights around the north pole in ultraviolet light. 🔭 🧪 ☀️
Thanks for all your help with our research @lizziegibney.bsky.social 🫡
Elizabeth Gibney@lizziegibney.bsky.social · yesterdayThis paper was fun to be a teeny tiny part of: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/... Did an 18 October space weather event really delay a train in 1841? A wonderful amalgamation of detective work, history and science by @jim-wild.bsky.social & colleagues
Amazing Public Service Broadcasting gig at Alexandra Palace last night. These guys never fail to deliver 📡 @psbhq.bsky.social
Did space weather delay the departure of the 10:05 train from Exeter on 18 October 1841? It seems like probably not. eos.org/research-spo...
Of Cosmic Rains and Delayed Trains - Eos
Scientific detective work corrected the date of an early disruption in telegraph service, solidifying the links between solar weather and technological disturbances.
eos.org
This was the first time I dipped my toe into the world of historical investigations - it is dangerously addictive! 🔍
RAS Library and Archives@astrolibrarian.bsky.social · 2w agoAn interesting space weather detective story drawing on historical records at @royalastrosoc.bsky.social @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social and BT Group!
An interesting space weather detective story drawing on historical records at @royalastrosoc.bsky.social @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social and BT Group!
Prof Jim Wild@jim-wild.bsky.social · 2w ago🚨New paper alert🚨 So excited that this space weather detective story has been published in Space Weather! 🔍 The story begins with a question about whether or not the delay to a Victorian express train reported in Nature (1871) was the earliest recorded impact of space weather on human tech? 🚂☀️
Researchers redate famous 1841 Exeter train delay space weather event to 1848 Correcting a long-cited historical case reshapes understanding of… https://everythingspace.online/reports/researchers-redate-famous-1841-exeter-train-delay-space-xyocdw?utm_source=bluesky&utm_campaign=report #space
Researchers redate famous 1841 Exeter train delay space weather event to 1848
Correcting a long-cited historical case reshapes understanding of humanity's earliest encounters with space weather affecting technology.
everythingspace.online
A 16-minute Exeter train delay tied to magnetic interference with railway telegraphs most likely occurred in 1848, not 1841. It remains an early space-weather disruption, but not the first known one.
A 16-minute train delay shows how a solar storm disrupted Victorian technology
A 178-year-old mystery surrounding one of the earliest recorded examples of space weather affecting technology has been solved by an international team led by Lancaster University.
phys.org
Study: Famous ‘Space Weather’ Train Delay Actually Happened Seven Years Later #Science https://www.sci.news/space/exeter-space-weather-train-delay-15072.html
Study: Famous ‘Space Weather’ Train Delay Actually Happened Seven Years Later | Sci.News
Although the famous Carrington Event of 1859 is often described as the first major space weather event to affect technology, earlier incidents did occur. Historical records show that telegraph systems were disrupted by geomagnetic storms as early as the late 1840s.
sci.news
This neat little study examined a reported very early case of #SpaceWeather from the Sun affecting 1800s technology (trains). Turns out a small typo in an old Nature article attributed solar activity to a delayed train, but that wasn't the case. Nice little science / history investigation! 🔭🧪
Did Space Weather Delay the 10:05 p.m. Train Departure From Exeter on 18 October 1841?
A reported 1841 train delay in England attributed to geomagnetic disturbance is inconsistent with the opening date of the railway affected The integration of contemporary observations and archiva...
agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
A 16-minute train delay shows how a solar storm disrupted Victorian technology phys.org/news/2026-09...
A 16-minute train delay shows how a solar storm disrupted Victorian technology
A 178-year-old mystery surrounding one of the earliest recorded examples of space weather affecting technology has been solved by an international team led by Lancaster University.
phys.org
🚨New paper alert🚨 So excited that this space weather detective story has been published in Space Weather! 🔍 The story begins with a question about whether or not the delay to a Victorian express train reported in Nature (1871) was the earliest recorded impact of space weather on human tech? 🚂☀️
Calling all astro-photographers - enter the Royal Astronomical Society’s photo competition 📸
Royal Astronomical Society@royalastrosoc.bsky.social · 2w agoAre you a keen astrophotographer? 🪐🔭📸 In November we're launching a new photography competition called RAStroPhoto to mark the 200th anniversary of our journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. It's free to enter and open to everybody! Scan the QR code to register your interest.
Arrived in Newcastle for the UK Space Weather and Space Environment Conference ☀️
Open day at Lancaster University! The weather’s a bit ☔️ but we have science, coffee and cakes in the School of Physics and Astronomy! 🔭☕️🧁
School of Physics and Astronomy Away day at Lancaster Castle. Perfect academic venue, with ramparts, onsite coffee roasters/cafe and hundreds of prison cells 😜
'the Astronomer Royal for Scotland and a vocal critic of the cuts, called Burnham’s intervention “wonderful news” but said Jodrell Bank was a “high-profile casualty of a much larger funding crisis” that goes beyond particle physics and astronomy.'🧪⚛️🔭👩🔬 Vocal critic 🙋♀️ should print that on a ti-shirt👌
Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social · 4w agoJodrell Bank reprieve fuels hopes of STFC cuts rethink Experts urge Burnham government to scrutinise wider decisions on Science and Technology Facilities Council funding www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
A really good piece in RPN that highlights the bigger picture and concerns behind the most visible symbol of the current problems. Are we seeing the start of a rethink?
Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social · 4w agoJodrell Bank reprieve fuels hopes of STFC cuts rethink Experts urge Burnham government to scrutinise wider decisions on Science and Technology Facilities Council funding www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
"The Society ... hopes that the parliamentary engagement marks the beginning of a broader discussion about how the UK can provide the long-term planning and funding security that underpin discovery research capabilities."
Royal Astronomical Society@royalastrosoc.bsky.social · 4w agoThe RAS welcomes the support of MPs and the powerful statements made during discussions in Parliament yesterday about cuts to research funding for fundamental physics and astronomy. Read more about the Westminster Hall debate and the latest funding cuts developments here: ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Good start. Next up, realising that the penny pinching cuts are killing twenty more projects in astronomy, often for tiny amounts. The fix is simple…and cheap.
Prof Jim Wild@jim-wild.bsky.social · 4w agoJodrell may be the symbol, but it's not the whole story. Welcome as the PM's intervention on Jodrell Bank is, debate earlier today showed MPs have concerns over a wide range of facilities, experiments and capabilities underpinning UK research strength. Nevertheless, the politics seem to be shifting.
Jodrell may be the symbol, but it's not the whole story. Welcome as the PM's intervention on Jodrell Bank is, debate earlier today showed MPs have concerns over a wide range of facilities, experiments and capabilities underpinning UK research strength. Nevertheless, the politics seem to be shifting.
Andy Burnham says "We'll find a way to save Jodrell Bank"
Burnham said "there is no way that we can see its demise, and it won't happen under my Government".
bbc.co.uk
Great real-time commentary from @astroroyalscot.bsky.social on Westminster Hall debate. Includes questions from Alison Hume MP about impact assessment undertaken by UKRI/STFC in its funding prioritisation and calling for the publication of evidence behind decisions. Familiar themes! See responses👇
Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans@astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 4w agoParliament returns from summer recess today, and the second debate in the House (13:00-13:30) is about the STFC funding cuts to fundamental physics & astro! I'll be watching on parliament TV and live-posting any gems, so you don't have to (you're welcome). 🍿: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Parliament returns from summer recess today, and the second debate in the House (13:00-13:30) is about the STFC funding cuts to fundamental physics & astro! I'll be watching on parliament TV and live-posting any gems, so you don't have to (you're welcome). 🍿: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans@astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 3mo agoA full-on week, fighting to #SaveUKAstronomy & PPAN from 30% funding cuts. There were highs (👇hanging out with fab-folk) & lows (@ukri.org trying to erase history in old Council minutes) but the amazing support & ❤️ from the wonderful wide astro-community makes it all worth it. Onwards and upwards 💪🔭
Raising a mug to the final two #Cluster spacecraft that will re-renter today/tomorrow after 25 years of amazing science. It’s often all about the launch of mission, but these spacecraft will be contributing to new knowledge even as they disintegrate! 🛰️☄️🫡
European Space Agency@esa.int · last mo.A front-row seat to satellite reentry. 🛰️ ESA scientists will fly out on two airborne observation campaigns over the Pacific Ocean to capture the targeted reentries of our final Cluster satellites, Samba and Tango.
Agree. Only two items from this list are non-negotiable 🏃🍰
Prof Chris Jackson@seismatters.bsky.social · last mo.Just run. Collect an experience, maybe even a medal and a t-shirt. And then go home and eat cake. Simple.
Looking forward to beaming in for my talk “Solar superstorms - are we ready for another Carrington event” at Herstmonceux Observatory and Science Centre Astronomy Festival tomorrow (Sunday) lunchtime ☀️ www.the-observatory.org/events-posts...
Astronomy Festival 2026 - Observatory Science Centre & Museum
Join us for our Astronomy Festival in Herstmonceux, East Sussex. There will be camping, guest speakers, exhibitors and plenty of stargazing!
the-observatory.org
Good to see this conversation taking place. I welcome the Secretary of State's willingness to listen to concerns from across the research community about recent STFC funding decisions and the broader importance of curiosity-driven research. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
When I was asked to lead the new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, there was one question I needed an answer to straight away: ‘Will I get to meet Brian Cox?’ Well, this week,…...
When I was asked to lead the new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, there was one question I needed an answer to straight away: ‘Will I get to meet Brian Cox?’ Well, this week, ...
linkedin.com
