iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"Starship is orbital" - feels like that's been a long time coming! Can't help feeling conflicted here. I'm looking forward to seeing humans on the Moon, but the prospect of the large number of satellites-per-launch that come with Starship is really not conducive to astronomy...

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I miss the halcyon days of #AcademicTwitter where people would routinely live-tweet conferences. Very sad that I wasn't able to join friends and colleagues in Manchester for the EVN Symposium this week; even more sad that I can't follow along with the exciting science from home! ☹️

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Good luck to NASA’s Roman telescope! Launch looked good, it successfully separated from the rocket, and established communications with the ground. Can’t wait to see the images 🤩 So much fun as a guest on BBC News this afternoon covering the launch 🚀 🥳 (some day I’ll see a launch in person… 🤞)

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Almost a week on and I'm still processing the bananas whirlwind of eclipse day! The week before was busy with the story about a SpaceX second stage hitting the Moon too, it's been wild. All in all, 22 separate media appearances over two weeks, with an entire morning in Salford 🤯😅

A woman and a man are standing outside in the Sun. An inflatable Earth and a small ball to represent the Moon are being used to demonstrate how solar eclipses work. A caption at the top says "LIVE SALFORD QUAYS". Another caption at the bottom says 08:46.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Busy afternoon down here at Shropshire Astronomical Society’s eclipse event at Rodington village hall! Filling up with deck chairs, ice cream sold out, and we’re out of eclipse glasses 🤩

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Bath Astronomers @bathastronomers.org.uk · 11/08/2026

Well that's fun. First time I've been asked to do an interview with the opening line "you must bring your own Colander!"

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

In sunny Salford! With probably the oddest assortment of stuff I’ve ever packed in a bag for an overnight stay… 😎 who’s excited for the eclipse tomorrow?!

An inflatable earth, a juggling ball, a large torch, a metal colander, and a spatula with holes. All items are sitting on a wood-effect table.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Spent the morning at Chamboree, a big international Scout and Guide camp in the Cheshire countryside. Was there to do drumming workshops with my samba band - ended up telling anyone who would listen about the eclipse… and how to observe it with a colander! Camp = spag bol = colander 😁

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Following all the interest in the SpaceX rocket impacting the Moon on Wednesday, I wrote an article about it for @theconversation.com, together with Nick Wrigley from Jodrell Bank Observatory (who was watching the event via radar).

theconversation.com

A rocket crashed into the Moon – why this could threaten future lunar bases

The rocket section struck the lunar surface near Einstein crater on the Moon’s near side.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

More space junk ending up in places it shouldn't. There is less of this stuff around the Moon than there is in low Earth orbit, and not much of vital importance on the Moon (yet), but still, yesterday's accidental crash of a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage illustrates a growing problem.

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

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." 🔭🧪

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

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! 🚀 💥 🌖 😂

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

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 🤩

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

"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...

theguardian.com

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

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

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

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

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! 🌞

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

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...

zmescience.com

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.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

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!

Three people stand on the grass outdoors under a cloudy sky. The grass is looking rather brown. In the background is the large structure of the Lovell radio telescope, 76 metres in diameter, supported on a large structure of metal girders and towers, all painted white. The telescope is looking away from the camera at an angle of about 45 degrees elevation.

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Dara O Briain @daraobriain.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

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...

theguardian.com

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

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Prof Jim Wild @jim-wild.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

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.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

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...

bbc.co.uk

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.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

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

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

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.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

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

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

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.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

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 🌗

A chalk and charcoal sketch of a lunar crater. Sunlight is coming from the right so that the left side of the crater floor is in deep shadow. The central peak is illuminated with a long dark shadow to the left, and there is a lot of terracing in the crater wall on the left.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

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.

A graphic showing the extent of the eclipse of August 12th 2026. A partial eclipse is visible across Canada and some of the USA, Greenland, western Europe, just into parts of north Africa, and much of the Atlantic Ocean. The path of totality is very narrow and only touches the very northern tip of Russia, eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and a chunk of northern Spain. Figure courtesy of Fred Espenak and AstroPixels.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

"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.

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John Womersley @johnwomersley.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

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

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

“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.

A star chart showing Venus as a bright object low in the western sky.

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

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...

gostargazing.co.uk

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

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

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...

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Helen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

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.

NASA's Blue Marble picture of Earth, from 1972

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

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

Two almost life-size models of astronauts in space suits with a woman in between wearing a shirt covered in stars.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

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!

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

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

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

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

The moon, about three quarters full, against a blue sky. The image is a bit blurry.

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

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:

thenakedscientists.com

Return to the Moon

Reigniting humanity's journey beyond Earth..

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

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

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

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

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

TWO comedy conference invitations in the inbox today. Apparently they would highly value my distinguished keynote contribution at the Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering Summit in Prague, and the Expo on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in Hamburg! #ComedyConferenceInvites

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Those evenings when all the trains are delayed, lots of people are stuck at the station, there are planets in the sky, and I wish I had my little telescope 🔭 so I could do some guerrilla astronomy 😁

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Here is my run-down of today's Science, Information & Technology Committee hearing (House of Commons) where @jonbutterworth.bsky.social @si-wills.bsky.social & I argued for no funding cuts, & Prof. Michele Doughtery explained why they were needed. The public gallery again packed with physicists 🔭👩‍🔬⚛️

Rows of people wearing orange lanyards in a House of Commons committee hearing. At the front is Catherine sporting her "I'm about to perform an appendectomy" mask and looking particularly snazzy.

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Here is my run-down of today's Science and Technology Committee hearing (House of Lords) where "considerable disquiet in the science community" was raised with Sir Patrick Vallance. Really great to see the public gallery packed with physicists!

People sat in rows a committee hearing - all smartly dressed

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

If I actually thought all these plenary speaker invites to conferences all over the place were genuine, I'd never be in the office! Has this spam escalated recently? Or am I just seeing more of them? #academiclife #conferencespam

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Obama is correct. It's likely aliens exist, somewhere out there (the universe is big). It's highly unlikely they have ever visited Earth. Telescopes are being used by a lot of clever people, and we haven't found solid proof yet. Rewind to 4.55pm to hear my take on it: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

Radio 5 Live - Listen Live - BBC Sounds

Listen live to Radio 5 Live on BBC Sounds

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Dr Megan Argo @astromeg.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

If you are fed up of the bile and vitriol on social media, I’d strongly recommend going out and volunteering with real people. Building human connections is so important for mental health, and it can be a lot of fun. I laughed so much at parkrun yesterday my face hurt 🤣 #loveparkrun #volunteer

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Iason Lincewicz @iaslin.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

And also in The Netherlands #aurora

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