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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

🥳The book launch was the most amazing night at Dynamic Earth! @spacedoot.bsky.social knocked it out of the park when it came to the visuals! If you missed it, the planetarium show will be repeated * @glasgowscience.bsky.social 23 Sept * Winchester Planetarium 13 Oct * @sherwoodobs.bsky.social 9 Dec

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Mike Christie @mikechristie.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

A couple more pictures from the @collective-edin.bsky.social open day at Calton Hill on Saturday 5 September. The Cooke 🔭 and the @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social team. A great, fun day, with 10 tours given to 8 to 10 people per tour.

Looking up at the 6" Cooke telescope with the dome open in the background.

At the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh team with the Cooke Telescope (except me - I took the picture!)

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Excitedly counting down to official publication day (Thursday 10th Sept), although I see she is already out in the wild 🥳 for some of you who were ever so lovely and pre-ordered it 🙏. Here is a snippet from How to Design a Universe Chpt 6: The Quantumverse! www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-t4...

youtube.com

Chapter 6! ⭐⭐The Quantum verse ⭐⭐

YouTube video by Astronomer Royal Scotland Prof Catherine Heymans

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

In my mind David Attenborough is narrating: "After a 3yr gestation, the elusive freshly published book has been spotted in the wild for the very 1st time. And what a specimen she is. A truly magnificent creature!" 😂 Alistair, I'm hoping that you enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoyed writing it!🤗

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Calling all #Glasgow & #Edinburgh Planetarium, space and all-round Matrix-movie enthusiasts. We're going to be re-considering what it means to be real! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Sept 11 Dynamic Earth dynamicearth.org.uk/event/how-to... 🔭 Sept 23 Glasgow Science Centre www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/whats-on/dav...

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

🔊 #Edinburgh! Join me to celebrate the launch of my new book at Dynamic Earth. With live music from the Sound Rays + a full-dome planetarium experience, we'll be reconsidering what it means to be real! 🔭 Fri 11th Sept 18:30 Bar opens 19:30 Show + Book signing 🎟️: dynamicearth.org.uk/event/how-to...

A massive purple explosion appears to have occurred above Catherine's head (it's a dark matter map) as she gazes off in to the distance while holding her book. A nice old telescope in propped on the table (not that she'd be able to see the invisible dark matter with it).

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

With all the excitement about the partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 Aug, don't forget that the Perseid meteor shower also peaks overnight on that day. They are already producing a lot and our members' meteor cameras are capturing many each night. www.astronomyedinburgh.org/.../ase-mete...

Mono image of a bright streaking Perseid meteor from top left to centre with a bright head, through the middle of the Plough

Stack of streaks of light, a nightly set of Perseid meteor captures

Stack of streaks of light, a nightly set of Perseid meteor captures. Moth trails showing up too

Stack of streaks of light, a nightly set of Perseid meteor captures, also showing lights from planes taking off at Edinburgh Airport

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Very kindly @newscientist.com have listed the new book in their "best new popular science books of August 2026" list. The summary made me chuckle - I suppose I kind of always have been a "go big or go home" type of girl. 😂

No small ambition in this next book, either. Astrophysicist Catherine Heymans’s latest is, according to its subtitle, no less than a look at the “science of real and virtual worlds”. At its heart is that wonderful, death-defying question: could we be living in a computer simulation, and how would we even know? It all sounds fascinating, as Heymans, the astronomer royal for Scotland, takes us “on a humorous and mind-bending journey through the science of reality itself”.

From subatomic particles and the cosmic mysteries of dark matter to the secrets of the human senses, we are promised an exploration of “whether humanity could ever create a virtual universe as rich and diverse as our own – and what that means for our sense of self, free will and consciousness”. Not much going on here, then.

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

A busy morning filming with BBC Breakfast at Jodrell Bank! Photos/vids to follow, but in the meantime enjoy me locked inside @philbull.bsky.social's RHINO cage: a brand new radio telescope designed to detect the light emitted by neutral hydrogen gas, between galaxies, in the v v early Universe 🤗🔭👩‍🔬

Catherine is locked in a large metal cage which has a horn at the top. She looks happy though. In the background is a radio antenna.

Catherine, in sunspecs, is hooting with laughter, inside the cage, looking at the antenna reciever inside the new radio telescope. It looks like an old car radio antenna sticking out into the cage - radio astronomy is wonderful.

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

This w/end's little snippet from my new book is from Chpt1 where we're asking "What is light?" Dear 🇺🇸US friends hoping you have a good chuckle at me attempting an American accent, rather than being affronted! #BookSky 🔭 📖: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/how-to-de... 📽️: www.youtube.com/shorts/-RIPE...

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Chapter 1: Light Available to Preorder now!

YouTube video by Astronomer Royal Scotland Prof Catherine Heymans

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

🔊Calling #Edinburgh: 5th Aug, Dynamic Earth, @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social and I will be joining forces for a day of free activities to get you ready for the 90% partial solar eclipse 6pm-8pm 12th August! 👩‍🔬🔭🧪 Big thanks to @iop.org for funding the event 🥳 ℹ️: dynamicearth.org.uk/event/get-re...

Get ready for the eclipse: funded by the Institute of Physics at Dynamic Earth.

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Neil Martin @neilem.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

I’m very excited to be part of this event! Come down and prep with us! 🔭

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

www.astronomyedinburgh.org/event/partia... We'll be holding an event on Calton Hill to view the partial solar eclipse on 12th August. We'll have some solar telescopes with us and lots of eclipse glasses so that people can view the eclipse safely. Remember THE SUN IS DANGEROUS TO OBSERVE.

astronomyedinburgh.org

Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing on Calton Hill - Astronomical Society of Edinburgh

Join us in the evening on 12 August to watch the amazing partial eclipse of the Sun. We'll have our solar telescopes with us plus lots of free eclipse glasses to give away.

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Get read for the solar #eclipse: on 5th August, Dynamic Earth in #Edinburgh will be holding an event preparing for the eclipse. Book here: dynamicearth.org.uk/event/get-re... We will be helping with a selection of 🔭, and @astroroyalscot.bsky.social will be there answering questions.

dynamicearth.org.uk

GET READY FOR THE ECLIPSE | Dynamic Earth

A spectacular solar event is coming to Scotland’s skies this August – and Dynamic Earth is here to help you get eclipse-ready with free activities and live talks!

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

The other half says this has real 1980's Jackanory vibes, which I'm not sure whether to take as a compliment or insult....🤔 Anyway, here is a clip from the Prologue of my new book "How to Design a Universe"! Out on Sept 10th. 🔗: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/how-to-de... 📺: www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Ek...

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The Prologue: Booting up

YouTube video by Astronomer Royal Scotland Prof Catherine Heymans

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Um..... so I did a thing 🫣 📽️: youtube.com/shorts/krnxj... Indie 📕: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/how-... Amazon 🔗: www.amazon.co.uk/How-Design-U... 🔭👩‍🔬🎢

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Exciting new Announcement!!

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Lesser-known-fact: the summer #solstice is a moment in time that delivers the longest day/shortest night in the North. At 9:24am (BST) the North Pole will be at its most-tilted towards the Sun. Me & the druids will be on #BBCR4 Broadcasting House later on to celebrate 🤗🔭🧪 📷: National Maritime Museum

The main diagram shows the Earth's annual rotation around the Sun, surrounded by a zodiacal scale that gives the names, symbols and images of the signs of the zodiac. The seasons and the positions of the equinoxes and solstices are marked. Text at the corners describes the Zodiac and the Earth, and a longer text at the bottom explains the Phenomena of the Seasons.

From: https://collections.rmg.co.uk/media/501/182/l1073_001.jpg

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Mike Christie @mikechristie.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

A more detailed view from Posidonius up to the lunar limb. #CFF160 🔭, #TeleVue 2.5x Powermate, #Touptek ATR585MM mono camera. Best 250 frames from 2500 frame video, IR pass filter, stacked and sharpened in AstroSurface, minor curve edits in PixInsight. #astrophotography

$Posidonius is the prominent crater with the fractured floor just below centre and to the left of the image. Above are the prominent craters Atlas (right) and Hercules (left, with crater on floor). Above and to the right is Endymion, and beyond that is Mare Humboldtianum.$

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Mike Christie @mikechristie.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Absolutely! We ordered loads from @gostargazing.bsky.social for the outreach event @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social will be holding on Calton hill. They were all delivered promptly!

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

@astroroyalscot.bsky.social's Nature article on proposed funding cuts to astronomy research has prompted a number of us to write to our MPs encouraging them to attend the June 15 meeting: www.astronomyedinburgh.org/2026/06/05/p...

astronomyedinburgh.org

Proposed Funding Cuts to Astronomy and Astrophysics - Astronomical Society of Edinburgh

If you have any interest in astronomy at all then you may be seriously worried by these proposals! We certainly are. Here's how you can help.

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Reposting for the Sunday morning reading crowd with a free-to-read link that isn't behind the Nature paywall! 🔭⚛️🧪👩‍🔬 📖: rdcu.be/floXQ

All the evidence points to a healthy, world-class research community underpin-ning a key innovation pipeline from which future transformative technology and break-through science will emerge.Yet, despite all this success, 30% funding cuts have been proposed for UK astrophysics research

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Mike Christie @mikechristie.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

And here is a video of the ISS transit taken with the #TeleVue NP101 🔭. 35 frames extracted from the 2 minute video, and converted to .mp4 at a slower rate. This is roughly 1s elapsed time, and the ISS moves from right to left. #astrophotography

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Mike Christie @mikechristie.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Just ordered some #eclipse glasses from @gostargazing.bsky.social for @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social outreach on August 12th. They only ship to the UK, but if you're looking to order some here's the link: gostargazing.co.uk/solar-glasse...

gostargazing.co.uk

Solar glasses for the August partial eclipse

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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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

A fascinating talk on how modern astronomy has evolved. Well worth a watch at the link below. 🔭

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

We have a talk this Friday May 1st at 7.30pm open to all on YouTube. Prof Ian Robson will discuss the discoveries that have led to our current knowledge of the Universe and examine the onset of ‘Big Data’ in modern astronomy. #astronomy www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6wh...

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The Changing Scene in Astronomy

YouTube video by Astronomical Society of Edinburgh

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

This promises to be a fascinating online talk this coming Friday. Anyone is welcome to follow on YouTube. 🔭 www.astronomyedinburgh.org/event/white-...

astronomyedinburgh.org

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

This promises to be a fascinating online talk this coming Friday. Anyone is welcome to follow on YouTube. 🔭 www.astronomyedinburgh.org/event/white-...

astronomyedinburgh.org

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Whoever said we needed more satellites in space? What do you think @e-astronomer.bsky.social ?

Mono picture of several galaxies with multiple satellite trails crossing the image. From Ian A Smith in East Lothian

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

We're getting our new planetary 🔭 dialled in at #Trevinca in our remote observatory. This image by Mark Phillips shows Jupiter from 11 x 60s videos. flic.kr/p/2s4vTnD #astrophotography

flic.kr

Jupiter 2026-03-27-2013

Best image to date from ASERO of Jupiter

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Mike Christie @mikechristie.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

The Draco trio of galaxies imaged from @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social's remote 12" Newtonian 🔭 at #Trevinca in Spain. 22x300s L, 21x300s RGB, stacked and processed in PixInsight. #astrophotography

A trio of galaxies in the constellation Draco. The spiral galaxy on the left of the image is NGC 5985, around 140 million light-years away

The fuzzy elliptical galaxy NGC 5982 is in the centre of the image. This galaxy was discovered by Sir William Hershel in 1788.

NGC 5981 is an edge-on spiral galaxy to the right of the frame. The galaxy has a prominent line of dust towards one side.

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Mike Christie @mikechristie.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

2 nights imaging of M65 and M66 with @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social remote 🔭 at #Trevinca in Spain. 12" Murrell Newtonian, #JTW Trident mount, 36x300s LRB and 35x300s G subs, stacked and processed in PixInsight. #astrophotography

Messier 65 and 66 in Leo. M66 on the left of the image shows regions with hot young stars in blue, red star forming regions with hydrogen alpha emission, and darker dust lanes. M65, on the right of the image, is a spiral galaxy with a prominent dust lane on the upper right. Both galaxies are part of the Leo triplet

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Mike Christie @mikechristie.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

After delays for bad weather and installation of a new planetary telescope, we're back in business with @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social remote 🔭 at #Trevinca in Spain. 12" Murrell Newtonian, #JTW Trident mount, 12 to 14 x 300s LRGBHa subs, stacked and processed in PixInsight. #astrophotography

Messier 101, the Pinwheel galaxy. Blue spiral arms (hot, young stars) with red hydrogen alpha showing star forming regions.

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Emily Hunt @emily.space · 23/03/2026

The IAYC - one of the best ways to get young people into astronomy - needs funding! I know *so* many students who speak so highly of it, check out their fundraiser below for more info ⤵️ 🔭

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Dr Carys Herbert @cbaherbert.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

We are nearly 20% of the way to our funding goal! If 100 amazing people donate €15, we will have a tracking mount for the Bortle 2 skies at the IAYC 2026 🔭 gofund.me/0f14445af

gofund.me

Donate to Help the IAYC to buy new equipment , organized by Joris Witte

The International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) is a three-week long summer research … Joris Witte needs your support for Help the IAYC to buy new equipment

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

#Seestar S50 🔭 collaboration. 39 hours of M101 data gathered this year and last year. Individual stacked subs combined weighted according to total exposure time. This image processed by @mikechristie.bsky.social. #astrophotography

Spiral Galaxy M101 or the Pinwheel galaxy. Blueish spiral arms against a backdrop of stars.

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

We have a talk on “Binary Stars and Stellar Cannibalism” this Friday 20 March at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome to watch: www.youtube.com/live/y49RT-T... 🔭

youtube.com

Binary Stars and Stellar Cannibalism

YouTube video by Astronomical Society of Edinburgh

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Happy Vernal Equinox from Astronomical Society of Edinburgh 🔭

An image showing equal day and night wishing a happy vernal equinox from the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

We have a talk on “Binary Stars and Stellar Cannibalism” this Friday 20 March at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome to watch: www.youtube.com/live/y49RT-T... 🔭

youtube.com

Binary Stars and Stellar Cannibalism

YouTube video by Astronomical Society of Edinburgh

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Mike Christie @mikechristie.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

A collaborative effort imaging M81 and M82 with six Seestar S50 🔭 by @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social members. 5.3 hours combined LP filter and 15.6 hours IRCUT filter. LP and IRCUT stacked separately, and stacked images processed in PixInsight. #astrophotography

M81 (Bode's galaxy) and M82 (Cigar galaxy) using combined data from six @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social members. M81 shows detail in the spiral arms, and M82 has red (hydrogen-alpha) starburst regions

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Astronomical Society of Edinburgh @astronomyedinburgh.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

We have a talk tonight by Bill Barton, Deputy Director of the Historical Section of the British Astronomical Association. We will also have the Sky in March. Free to watch on YouTube 🔭 youtu.be/vcGXZ0_Zcek

youtu.be

The Biggest Telescope in the World

YouTube video by Astronomical Society of Edinburgh

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