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Dr Cara Waters

@caralwaters.bsky.social
284 followers 151 following 48 posts

Researcher in space physics looking at lots of data and trying to figure some things out 🪐🛰️🚀 I also like books, women’s football, and F1 She/Her • London Look at all my cool papers and stuff: www.linktr.ee/CaraLWaters | CaraLWaters.com

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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Also I’ve given lots of talks about turbulence mattering for space weather…
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Long time no update — I wrote a paper in my postdoc! Turbulence saves you money (through space weather forecasting)! doi.org/10.1029/2026...
doi.org
Beyond Mean Solar Wind Conditions: Turbulence‐Aware Forecasting of the AE Index
Including solar wind turbulence parameters improves short-term forecasts of auroral electrojet index compared to models using average conditions alone Improved forecasts reduce false alarms and b...
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A while since I posted on here, but what better thing to announce than I got the iconic pint glass!!!! #Pint26 (Highly recommend giving a talk in or attending the Pint of Science festival in future years!)
A pint glass with the text “Pint of Science 2026” on it, and a picture of a pint glass with a brain and glasses on it.
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SlenderSherbet @slendersherbet.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Don't let anyone tell you how to live your life.
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NASA | ESA Space Updates @nasaupdates.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
🚀 Smile has launched! This joint mission between ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences is on a quest to reveal how Earth’s magnetic shield protects us from the Sun’s relentless solar wind. A major milestone in understanding space weather! #SmileMission #SpaceScience #ESA 1/4
Smile's X-ray camera sees Earth reacting to coronal mass ejection

Credit: ESA
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derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
this is what some of you look like in short sleeve button-up shirts
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Unavoidable to use Office I guess, but at least I can attempt to use a different email app!
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
The addition (helpfully replacing things I might actually use) of Microsoft Copilot to everything is one of the main reasons I moved away from Windows for work 🙄. Please stop trying to force me to use your AI that doesn’t ever do what you actually ask it to!
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NASA | ESA Space Updates @nasaupdates.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
#Artemis II - Photo 2 from yesterdays flyby ECLIPSE. April 6, 2026. Totality, beyond Earth. From lunar orbit, the Moon eclipses the Sun, revealing a view few in human history have ever witnessed. Photo: NASA 🚀🌕🌑
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NASA | ESA Space Updates @nasaupdates.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
#Artemis II - We have the first image from yesterdays Lunar flyby captured by the crew on Orion EARTHSET. April 6, 2026. Humanity, from the other side. First photo from the far side of the Moon. Captured from Orion as Earth dips beyond the lunar horizon. 🚀🌕🌍
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 07/04/2026
Total solar eclipse! Solar corona! From behind the Moon! #Artemis
A mostly dark screen with the NASA logo in the upper right and a bit of hazy light peeking out from an entirely dark Moon in the lower right
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Summary of Artemis 2: > Cool Earth pictures > Cool Moon pictures > Women!!!! So many women!!!! > Science! > Nutella > Broken toilet > 5 different hot sauces > Microwaving fish also occurs in space, not just the office #ArtemisII #Artemis2 #Moon
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
WHERE ARE THEY!!!!!!!
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Sarah Hörst @planetdr.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
I haven’t seen it much here but over on Threads there are A LOT of posts like this and honestly same.
cindybaldwinbooks 2h
I truly underestimated the degree to which hearing so many women running the show at
NASA would heal my inner child. (o
566 @16 G13
G 13
• 5
@Threads
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
This mission has to be one of the best examples of positivity still existing in the current times.
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Wow 🥹 #ArtemisII
Screenshot of NASA Artemis II livestream showing the Earth being eclipsed by the moon.
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Physghoul 👻 🎃 @physgal.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Group hug on Orion after the announcement of the astronauts suggestion to name a Moon crater in honor of Reid Wiseman's deceased wife. 😢
Screenshot of Artemis II astronauts in Integrity (Orion spacecraft) doing a group hug
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Look I found a rock! And another rock!
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Rebekah Weatherspoon @rdotspoon.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
I was not prepared to see astronauts crying and hugging in space as they remember their friend and colleague’s late wife. 😭
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public health guy @publichealthguy1.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
THE NUTELLA HAS COME LOOSE
nutella free in space on artemis orion
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
I don’t think anyone can quite convey the feeling right now as a female space scientist listening to the first woman make observations of the Moon within the lunar sphere of influence 🥹
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uksolarphysics.bsky.social @uksolarphysics.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
MIST Open Letter on STFC funding reductions: Open to Signatories Dear colleagues, After addressing comments on the original draft, our open letter addressing STFC funding reductions is now open to signatories at the below link. Please take the time to read, sign if you agree, and share with…
uksolphys.org
MIST Open Letter on STFC funding reductions: Open to Signatories
Dear colleagues, After addressing comments on the original draft, our open letter addressing STFC funding reductions is now open to signatories at the below link. Please take the time to read, sign if you agree, and share with colleagues. All the best, Matthew Brown, on behalf of MIST council
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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Brian Cox attacks ‘devastating’ STFC cuts as postdocs slashed, reports @jgro-the.bsky.social #AcademicSky #physics #cuts www.timeshighereducation.com/news/b…
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Or here! caralwaters.com/2026-03-08-i...
caralwaters.com
Still the Only Woman in the Room: A Physicist’s Perspective on International Women’s Day | Cara Waters
A physicist reflects on everyday bias in physics and why culture in science still matters for the next generation.
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
I wrote a short piece for International Women’s Day reflecting on my experiences as a woman in physics. It starts with a moment from teaching about solar wind particle distributions, but it’s really about something much broader. If you're interested, you can read it here: medium.com/@CaraLWaters...
medium.com
Still the Only Woman in the Room: A Physicist’s Perspective on International Women’s Day
A student once asked me a question during a seminar about the solar wind. We were looking at particle velocity distributions measured by…
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Martin Bourne 🏳️‍🌈 @astromartin.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
I, along with many other UKRI, STFC and RS fellows are signing this open letter on the STFC cuts. The proposed reductions will devastate UK astronomy and the researchers who make it possible. Please read, share, and, if a fellow, sign. advancedfellows-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html #astro
advancedfellows-openletter-stfc.github.io
Advanced Fellows Response to UKRI Investment Approach
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Lucien Heurtier @lucienheurtier.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I'm a Dr in physics, but in the UK... 📣Many researchers are facing the same reality: contracts ending, careers cut short, talent lost. 👥📉 UKRI needs to change course — now. 🧪🔭⚗️ If you’re affected, post your own photo and share this message. Visibility matters. #stfc #ukri #saveSTFC
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
In less stressful news, Munch has been enjoying using my foot as a paw rest while he naps
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
This open letter from early career researchers across STFC has now been sent to the intended recipients! ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html The future of fundamental research in the UK now stands with UKRI and their potential to make a change to their strategy. #stfc #ukri #saveSTFC
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Happy #caturday !
Ginger and white fluffy cat sat in a hammock attached to a bay window looking to one side.
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
This is actually incredible - I wanted to figure out making something similar for a whole solar cycle but am yet to work out the logistics!
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Science does not exist in a vacuum. Funding choices are political. Silence is political. At some point, continuing as normal becomes a decision in itself.
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
International science depends on trust, shared values, and a basic commitment to evidence and responsibility. When those foundations are treated as optional, collaboration becomes performative rather than meaningful.
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Cuts to research funding and the increasing politicisation of basic science are happening in parallel with a disregard for climate reality and international norms - Greenland being just one example.
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Over recent years there has been a clear erosion of respect for scientific expertise, academic freedom, and evidence-based decision making.
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poorly drawn cats @poorlycatdraw.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
it’s tiiiiime 🎄
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Congrats!
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
From someone who just completed theirs - it’s more fun than you think and more underwhelming than you think it will be! You’ll do fine!
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Dr James O'Donoghue 🪐 @interplanetary.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
We have a PhD opportunity at the University of Reading focused on analysing Jupiter and Saturn auroral observations! Title: Investigating Earth-like responses to the Solar Wind in Gas Giant Upper Atmospheres Supervisor: me! Full description/application portal: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
crocus-dla.ac.uk
Crocus DLA
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Catch the name change after Wednesday 👀
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poorly drawn cats @poorlycatdraw.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
🫒
doodle of a cat inside an olive
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Hank Green @hankgreen.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
I was just putting Orin to bed and he said, “I don’t know how to use my life,” so now there’s three of us in the house like this.
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
TW: needle. You literally sit here for a few minutes, they take amazing care of you, and you can book it all easily on an app.
A photo of a person giving blood at a blood donation centre with the needle in their arm
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
The NHS are very short of blood right now - especially if you are O, A or B negative, please consider donating! I promise it isn’t that bad, and you get lots of free snacks at the end. If you’re scared of needles, so was I - donating blood has helped with it a lot! www.blood.co.uk/news-and-cam...
blood.co.uk
Blood donor appeal
There are spaces to donate blood at some of our city centre venues.
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
What a way to end a season #CFCW
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Imperial Science @imperialsci.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
☀️ You can’t stop the Sun, but you can prepare for its storms 📅 21 May, 17.30-18.30 Join Prof Jonathan Eastwood (@imperialphysics.bsky.social) for his lecture on the science of space weather, why it matters, and how we can get ready for the next big solar flare www.imperial.ac.uk/events/19087...
imperial.ac.uk
The relentless sun: how do we live with severe space weather?
Please join us for the Inaugural Lecture of Professor Jonathan Eastwood.
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pawfectly @pawfectly.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
sad astronaut
cat
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Dr Cara Waters @caralwaters.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Two more talks ✅
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Gaziter @gaziter.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
huh...
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Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 14/01/2025
“My house is one of many that burned down. This event, for me, has destroyed any boundary between my work as a climate scientist and the rest of my life.” Read more from NASA JPL scientist Ben Hamlington:
linkedin.com
Altadena Wildfires
My house in Altadena burned down in the wildfires on Wednesday. It all happened quickly.
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