Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Everyone should know what happened with the Infinite Monkey Cage. One of the best-known science communicators in the UK is married to a prominent transphobe; we can only assume he shares her views. The BBC has a lot to answer for here too. 042
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Super privileged to be the @gostargazing.bsky.social astronomer on board @fredolsencruise.bsky.social Borealis as we depart from Southampton. We’re heading down to Spain to (hopefully) see the Total Solar Eclipse!! 🇪🇸🛳️🌞🌚 010
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 28/07/2026We had a plenary talk on HiPERCAM last week at the National Astronomy Meeting. Some really cool science (and the technology that enables it) — ending on the dismal note that it’s a victim of the cuts. 040
Reposted by Emma AlexanderTim O'Brien @proftimob.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Been a very hectic and devastating day. Many thanks for the very many lovely messages of support for our work. Here's a flash back to 2008 #savejodrellbank youtu.be/cWWbA4OYG3Y?...youtu.beThe Jodrell Bank SongYouTube video by silkfm 22711
Reposted by Emma AlexanderJonathan Pritchard @pritchardjr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026There’s a long list of long term hurt to core particle physics and astronomy projects in the STFC prioritisation outcome. Mostly small change compared to new money being thrown at Quantum and AI projects. www.ukri.org/publications...ukri.orgExplainer: STFC prioritisation outcomes 2026 to 2030 1208
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 27/07/2026The cuts to STC are outlined here. Grim reading all round. 💔🔭🧪 051
Reposted by Emma AlexanderAstronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 27/07/2026I'm absolutely devastated for colleagues at Jodrell Bank who found out this morning that funding for the UK's e-MERLIN radio telescope array will be terminated. This is a short-sighted move, to save a tiny fraction of the overall UK science budget. #SaveJodrellBank 🔭🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukJodrell Bank's Lovell telescope faces axe in science cuts, BBC understandsAstronomers warn it would tear the heart out of UK science, and leave a generation untrained. 561345704
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 27/07/2026“All scientific observations at Jodrell are expected to cease on the 1 April 2028 unless alternative funding can be found.” I don’t know what to say. This is catastrophic. 💔🔭🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukJodrell Bank's Lovell telescope faces axe in science cuts, BBC understandsAstronomers warn it would tear the heart out of UK science, and leave a generation untrained. 042
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 25/05/2026The Cat 2009 — 2026 💔🌈 We said goodbye to a much loved member of the family last week. It’s been a tough few weeks as her health declined (chronic kidney disease), but she’s at peace now. We’re gonna miss her so much. ❤️ 130
Reposted by Emma AlexanderCosmicRami 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 26/04/2026#OTD 93 years ago 📡 An engineer named Karl Jansky gave a 12-min presentation at the US National Committee for the International Union for Radio Science to a small group of people. It marked a significant turning point in our understanding of the Universe. #RadioAstronomy 📸 NRAO/AUI/NSF 511037
Reposted by Emma AlexanderLuke Charters MP @lukecharters.bsky.social · 15/04/2026A helpful reminder for anyone who needs one: Reform UK was called the Brexit Party before 2021. In 2019, Farage said there was “no difference between the Brexit Party and UKIP in terms of policy.” Same politics. New branding. Don’t be fooled. 2247
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 08/04/2026FYI: the abstract deadline for NAM has been extended until the 16th! Includes a session on radio astronomy and the SKAO (with a particular focus on work by early career researchers). 000
Reposted by Emma AlexanderKatie Mack @astrokatie.com · 03/04/2026More context on this #Artemis II image: * This is the night side, lit by moonlight. You can see city lights in Spain & Portugal, & a sliver of day at lower right * The Sun is entirely behind Earth, which makes it a kind of solar eclipse, but w/ Earth doing the eclipsing instead of the Moon: ☀️🌍🚀🌕 231130433679
Reposted by Emma AlexanderRobin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 03/04/2026I can’t get excited by our next journey to the Moon when this is what is happening on Earth. 1123838
Reposted by Emma AlexanderPallab Ghosh @pallabg.bsky.social · 18/03/2026For @SciTechgovuk Lord Vallance says: “"It is not right to portray this as a massive cut. It's not, it’s about managing a budget responsibly". He added that the UK was and would continue to be the second biggest funder experiments @CERN.🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukHiggs Boson was UK triumph, but British physics faces 'catastrophic' cutsBritain is preparing to cancel its contribution to one of the Large Hadron Collider's next major upgrades. 1103
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 18/03/2026UK folks: tomorrow evening offers an amazing observational challenge. The Moon will be less than 9 degrees elongation at sunset, but other conditions are favourable. The youngest crescent I’ve ever seen was 18 hours old; this will be 17h! 🔭🌙 www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/moon-ve...skyatnightmagazine.comThere's a chance to see a wafer-thin Moon with Venus this week. Are you up to the challenge? | BBC Sky at Night MagazineA chance to see a thin crescent Moon on 19 March 2026 – catch the sweet spot after sunset when the sky is dark before the Moon gets too low. 0122
Reposted by Emma AlexanderProf Jim Wild @jim-wild.bsky.social · 04/03/2026Great summary of today's Science, Information & Technology Committee hearing (House of Commons) from @astroroyalscot.bsky.social. It seems pretty clear that there have been serious structural and governance failures at STFC that have led to the current crisis. 063
Reposted by Emma AlexanderAstronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 04/03/2026Here 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 🔭👩🔬⚛️ 611839
Reposted by Emma AlexanderMeg Schwamb @megschwamb.bsky.social · 04/03/2026Starting at 9:30am "Following reports that the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is facing significant cost pressures, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will hold a one-off evidence session exploring scientific research funding" 🔭 committees.parliament.uk/event/26683/...committees.parliament.uk4 March 2026 - Science, Innovation and Technology Committee - Oral evidence session - Committees - UK Parliament09:00 - The Wilson Room, Portcullis House 053
Reposted by Emma AlexanderProf Jim Wild @jim-wild.bsky.social · 01/03/2026Astronomers take note: The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee are having another session on Wednesday, taking evidence from (among others) the Prof Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social and STFC Executive Chait Prof Michele Dougherty. committees.parliament.uk/event/26683/...committees.parliament.uk4 March 2026 - Science, Innovation and Technology Committee - Oral evidence session - Committees - UK Parliament09:00 - The Wilson Room, Portcullis House 172
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 18/02/2026Article I co-wrote which covers the astronomy of new crescent Moon visibility in the Islamic calendar! #Ramadan Mubarak to those observing the month ☺️🌙 011
Reposted by Emma AlexanderJohn Ilee @johnilee.bsky.social · 11/02/2026For anyone in London next weekend - get yourself down to this absolutely wonderful combination of art & astronomy. It’s a really special place. 021
Reposted by Emma AlexanderLucien Heurtier @lucienheurtier.bsky.social · 04/02/2026Open letter from Early Career Researchers to the UKRI investment plan. We can't let young people pay the price of "outcome-driven strategies". #stfc #ukri ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io If you are a postdoc or PhD, read and sign! 🧬🔭🔬⚗️🧪📡🛰️ecr-openletter-stfc.github.ioEarly Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach 11112
Reposted by Emma AlexanderLeigh Fletcher @leighfletcher.bsky.social · 05/02/2026The peculiar construction of #STFC, funding national labs & international projects, alongside blueskies research (read: jobs for postdocs, fellows, students...), means it lacks the flexibility to respond to rising costs & shifting priorities within a flat budget. www.nature.com/articles/d41...nature.comIs UK science in jeopardy? Huge funding reforms spark chaos and anxietyMajor reforms to the United Kingdom’s national research funding agency are aimed at boosting the nation's economy. 2163
Reposted by Emma AlexanderChris Lintott @chrislintott.bsky.social · 02/02/2026I've updated my post on the funding crisis heading for British astronomy: docs.google.com/document/d/1.... UKRI made clear that astro and particle physics are being subject to unique cuts due to rising costs elsewhere. This looks like a deliberate decision not to fund fundamental physics. 🔭 🧪docs.google.comFunding pieceModern astronomy is full of marvels. In recent years we have rejoiced in the success of the James Webb Space Telescope, and been puzzled by the surprisingly vibrant early Universe it is showing us. We... 25530
Reposted by Emma AlexanderRichard Alexander @richardalexander.bsky.social · 29/01/2026Many thoughts about this, but the doublespeak of the phrase "building on last year’s 15% reduction" is mind-boggling. 🔭🧪 2216
Reposted by Emma AlexanderTim O'Brien @proftimob.bsky.social · 29/01/2026Grim news for particle physics, astronomy & nuclear physics research in UK. 30% cut overall with projects asked to consider options ranging to a 60% cut. These areas are a huge success for the UK internationally and a great inspiration to the next generation of scientists and engineers. 23928
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 27/01/2026@astropotamus.com hi please can you stop following and unfollowing? I already follow you back. Will have to block you otherwise 😬 100
Reposted by Emma AlexanderUniversity of Leeds @universityofleeds.bsky.social · 15/01/2026A new project, aiming to provide Muslim communities across the UK with the skills to host local astronomy hubs and moon-gazing events, is being established by the University of Leeds and @cam.ac.uk 🌙 To read more, click the link below 👇 www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article... 171
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 14/01/2026Not sure what specific flavour of lurgies I have right now, but currently very thankful for vaccines and boosters — I dread to think of what state I’d be in right now without them 🤧💉🦠 010
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 11/01/2026Super proud of this project!! 🌙 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukLeeds University moonsighting project unites science and religion - BBC NewsThe project hopes to end 'moon wars' between mosques across the UK. 051
Reposted by Emma AlexanderDr. Kelley Hess @khesser.bsky.social · 09/01/2026Breaking: SKA-Mid achieved first fringes last month! This is the first step towards individual dishes becoming an interferometer. It's kind of a big deal. Congrats to the SKA Mid Commissioning Team! Looking forward to first SKA Mid image in 2026. 🔭 📡 🧪 www.skao.int/en/news/693/... 0173
Reposted by Emma AlexanderChris Lintott @chrislintott.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Parents & anyone else up early on Christmas morning: there’s a bright pass of the International Space Station over the UK, just after 6.15. Well, I say it’s the ISS. Could be Santa heading home… Exact timings for where you are at www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary....heavens-above.com ISS - Visible Passes Satellite predictions and other astronomical data customised for your location. 612474
Reposted by Emma AlexanderEmily Hunt @emily.space · 19/12/2025The first SPHEREx full-sky images are out! This is an awesome new mission that's super under-rated. It has a really interesting way to take data in 100 different colours 🔭☄️ 1334
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 18/12/2025Experiments in @solarcan.bsky.social (~Dec 2024 to ~June 2025, only just processed) ☀️🔭 1222
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 17/12/2025Made the mistake of sending a parcel with Evri which has now got lost. Their customer service appears to only consist of AI, which gives up on trying to help me and closes the conversation without passing me onto a human. Any tips? 210
Reposted by Emma AlexanderCosmicRami 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 15/12/2025Sharing this again for US friends who are just waking up. I saw some posts saying that our 1996 gun law reforms failed, as evidenced by the horrors at Bondi Beach this weekend. This is not true. These incidents are rare for us. It *can* be done. It *must* be done, if you want a normal society. 1374
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 02/12/2025Hi folks — quick question about undergraduate admission interviews. I’ve not done them myself, although I have done interviews as part of teaching (eg after lab experiments). I’ve offered to do a mock one for a family member who has an interview for Natsci at Cambridge. Any tips or resources? 120
Reposted by Emma AlexanderProf Lucie Green @luciegreen.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Space weather isn’t just about lovely displays of the aurora. There is a very real impact on our technology too. 0143
Reposted by Emma AlexanderPhil Plait @philplait.bsky.social · 13/11/2025Scientist Lawrence Krauss had close ties to Epstein. This article has some of it, but look to @skepchick.org's feed for details. 812326
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 12/11/2025I’m on a boat just south of Tromsø, Norway, and have just seen the most insane aurora!! It’s 4.30am for me now and I need to sleep but if it’s night for you right now, go outside and look!! 010
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 06/11/2025Hei from Ålesund! 🇳🇴 I’m currently working my way up the Norwegian coast on @fredolsencruise.bsky.social Bolette as one of the on-board @gostargazing.bsky.social astronomers. Keeping our fingers crossed for clear skies and Northern Lights! ✨☺️ 120
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 31/10/2025Back visiting my old department @manchester.ac.uk today! Very happy to report that the guinea pig picture I left on my old office window 2 years ago is still in place 🐹 051
Emma Alexander @astronemma.bsky.social · 21/10/2025Took my phone in for a battery replacement today and the Apple person said my iPhone 13 mini was “cute” and she’d not seen one in ages. It only came out in 2021! Surely I’m not the only one who’s kept their phone for 3+ years? 5100
Reposted by Emma AlexanderJoshi Herrmann @joshih.bsky.social · 05/10/2025Jews and Muslims in North Manchester: A personal story. Fantastic piece by @ophiraophira.bsky.social, who has covered the attack for @manchestermill.bsky.social like no other journalist. Read this alongside the other news coverage. manchestermill.co.uk/jews-and-mus...manchestermill.co.ukJews and Muslims in North Manchester: A personal story‘We thought we were the luckiest people in the world to be born in Manchester’ 12716
Reposted by Emma AlexanderChanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 26/09/2025STOP THE GENOCIDE 215475
Reposted by Emma Alexandermothcub @mothcub.bsky.social · 04/09/2025Iconic moment at the Downton Abbey premiere 12155284735
Reposted by Emma AlexanderMegan Eaves-Egenes @meganeaves.com · 26/07/2025Signed last night. It was pointed out that, even if you don't think petitions work, this will force the government to debate it and therefore they can later be held accountable for genocide if they do not act. 0117