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Professor Carole Mundell

@cmundell.esa.int
1.9K followers 102 following 100 posts

Director of Science, @esa.int; Head of the European Space Astronomy Centre, Madrid. Astrophysicist, science diplomat, ex-Science Council President; ex-Chief Scientist Adviser & International Science Envoy, UK FCDO. She/her. My views.

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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
European Space Agency @esa.int · 21/09/2026
Pokémon is heading to space with ESA. 🚀⚡ For #WorldSpaceWeek2026, Pokémon and ESA are teaming up to inspire the next generation of explorers. A special Pikachu plush has even travelled to the International Space Station with ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot! (Credits: ESA/NASA S. Adenot)
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
Euclid Consortium @ec-euclid.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Do you want to join? All the background is here: blog.spacewarps.org/2026/09/11/s... 🔭 #ESA #ESAEuclid #Euclid #space #graviation
blog.spacewarps.org
Space Warps Classify complete!! Sprint finish on Space Warps Refine
What a phenomenal achievement! You have collectively made a staggering 5.3 million classifications and classified 240,000 subjects on the Space Warps ESA Euclid Data Release 1 (DR1) dataset! Incred…
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 03/09/2026
Together, the stacked spacecraft travelled nine billion km, did 22 loops around the Sun and performed nine planetary flybys. MTM's propulsion system is dependent on Bepi's computer control, so after today, MTM will float around the Sun indefinitely. 🔭 🧪 #planetsci 2/3
BepiColombo appears to ‘hug’ Mercury in this image taken by the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission on 19 June 2023 as the spacecraft sped by for its third of three gravity assist manoeuvres at the planet. The back of the Mercury Planetary Orbiter’s high-gain antenna and part of the spacecraft’s body is visible in front of Mercury.Collage of images captured by BepiColombo’s monitoring camera during the Venus flyby on 15 October 2020. Two rows of four images each show parts of the BepiColombo spacecraft with planet Venus in the background.A view of Earth captured by one of the MCAM selfie cameras on board BepiColombo, as the spacecraft zoomed past the planet during its first and only Earth flyby on 10 April 2020.
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 03/09/2026
Mission accomplished, MTM! 🫡 Thanks for getting us this far!
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
Phil Plait @philplait.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
This is good news! BepiColombo is a cool mission to orbit Mercury and will be there in less than three months. It flew there as two connected spacecraft, and they just separated successfully! www.science.esa.int/bepicolombo
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Professor Carole Mundell @cmundell.esa.int · 03/09/2026
An incredible achievement and critical milestone.
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 27/08/2026
BepiColombo is almost arriving at Mercury... but first, 👋 MPO and Mio must say farewell to their 'trusty engine' MTM (Mercury Transfer Module) 📺Watch live with us on 3 September, 13:45 CEST 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 21/08/2026
📺 And join us for an online media briefing on 31 August 2026 about BepiColombo’s Mercury arrival phase. Register by 15:00 CEST on 29 August. More details 👉https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Media_invitation_Online_media_briefing_-_BepiColombo_s_next_milestone_towards_Mercury 🔭 🧪
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 21/08/2026
Want to know more about BepiColombo’s arrival at Mercury? 🖼️Check out our selection of revamped infographics: www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 🔭 🧪
esa.int
BepiColombo arrival media kit
Download this media kit to learn more about the arrival at Mercury of the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission, the spacecraft's eight year journey, and the science goals of the mission.
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 14/08/2026
📹 video credit: Lori Aderin-Pocock
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 14/08/2026
From the team that brought you the live eclipse broadcast from the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre, thank you for joining us! Missed the broadcast? Watch it here 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRDx... #EuropeanSolarEclipse
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Professor Carole Mundell @cmundell.esa.int · 13/08/2026
Watch again !
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Professor Carole Mundell @cmundell.esa.int · 13/08/2026
Missed our live broadcast of last night’s total Solar eclipse from #JavalambreObservatory ? Worry not: it’s all here for you to enjoy : m.youtube.com/watch?v=DRDx... Thanks to our @esa.int teams, expert speakers, observatory staff and the amazing Dame Dr Maggie Aderin. What an experience !
m.youtube.com
Total solar eclipse 2026: Coming to Europe (Official ESA broadcast)
YouTube video by European Space Agency, ESA
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Professor Carole Mundell @cmundell.esa.int · 13/08/2026
And that’s a wrap! Thanks to all our amazing teams who briught the eclipse to you in Leon, Palencia and to millions of you online. I hope you enjoyed the experience of this incredible cosmic phenomenon as much as we did!
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 11/08/2026
🌑 A total solar eclipse isn't just a beautiful sight, it's an occasion to learn more about the Universe. Our Director of Science, Professor @cmundell.esa.int gives us a hint why below 👇 Full story live at 19:30 CEST tomorrow, 12 August 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRDx... #EuropeanSolarEclipse 🔭
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA en español @es.esa.int · 10/08/2026
Faltan 2 días para vivir en compañía el #Eclipse2026 en León. Lugar: Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones Horario: 12 de agosto de 10-14 y de 17:30 hasta final de evento Evento gratuito y sin inscripción Todos los detalles 👇 www.esa.int/Space_in_Mem...
esa.int
Vive el eclipse solar total con la ESA en León
Muy pocas generaciones han tenido la oportunidad de vivir un eclipse solar total. El próximo 12 de agosto, millones de personas en toda Europa mirarán al cielo para contemplar uno de los fenómenos…
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 08/08/2026
⚠️ Safety first ⚠️ If you're getting ready to observe the total solar eclipse on 12 August, please follow safety rules: 🚨 use only certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2)  🚨 do not look through devices without a special solar filter Check out the safety list below! 🔭🧪#EuropeanSolarEclipse
A screenshot from our edu kit presenting safety rules for observing the total solar eclipse. You can access the list at pages 7 and 8 from the kit. Download PDF at https://cesar.esa.int/download.php?Id=4144&N=77047198
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 04/08/2026
What makes the 12 August #EuropeanSolarEclipse special? For a start, the Iberian Peninsula hasn't seen a total solar eclipse since 1912❗ Here are 7 more reasons not to miss it  👉 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2… 🔭 🧪
esa.int
8 things to know about this year’s solar eclipse
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 04/08/2026
By comparing those forecasts with reality, scientists look to improve the models used to understand the Sun's magnetic environment and forecast space weather. @operations.esa.int has more details here 👉 www.esa.int/Space_Safety... 2/2
esa.int
Virtual totality ahead of the solar eclipse
On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, Spain and part of northeastern Portugal. This rare event will provide a unique opportunity to st...
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 04/08/2026
Virtual totality? ☀️ Ahead of the 12 August eclipse, KU Leuven researchers are using computer simulations and the latest solar observations from missions such as Solar Orbiter and Proba-3 to predict what the solar corona will look like. 1/2 🔭 🧪
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 04/08/2026
12 August: for over one minute, day turns to night 🌑 thanks to a total solar eclipse. But will it be visible from your place? Check out these maps to find out. If you're close to the path of totality, but not within it, it is totally worth the travel! 1/2 🔭 🧪 #EuropeanSolarEclipse
Map of Earth shown as a globe, with the focus on its northern hemisphere. A red, C-shaped arc marked 'total eclipse' reaches from northeast Russia, past the North Pole, Greenland, Iceland and the Iberian Peninsula. An orange oval surrounds this arc, marked 'partial eclipse', covering most of Europe, Canada and parts of the USA, the western edge of Africa and the northeastern corner of Russia.Spain and Canary Islands map showing total solar eclipse path on 12 Aug 2026 with totality band and darkness contours
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Professor Carole Mundell @cmundell.esa.int · 25/07/2026
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
esa.int
ESA statement on the wildfires near Cebreros
(Spanish text below)ESA is closely monitoring the wildfire situation in the vicinity of its deep-space ground station in Cebreros, Spain.
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 23/07/2026
Doing your research on the #SolarEclipses coming to Europe in 2026, 2027 and 2028? We have materials that could help www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Sets/202… Follow www.esa.int/solareclipse for updates. 🔭 🧪 ☀️ #EduSky #EuropeanSolarEclipse
A map of the Iberian Peninsula, showing where three solar eclipses will cross Spain and Portugal. A purple band marked ‘Total solar eclipse 12 August 2026’ curves from Spain's northwest to central east. An orange band marked ‘Total solar eclipse 2 August 2027’ covers Spain's southern tip and northern Africa. A green band marked ‘Annular solar eclipse 26 January 2028’ crosses the peninsula diagonally from southern Portugal to northeastern Spain.
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA in italiano @ita.esa.int · 17/07/2026
La registrazione è disponibile a questo link 👉 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... Tra i relatori, il nostro Direttore Scientifico @science.esa.int Prof.ssa @cmundell.esa.int e altri esperti dell'ESA. 🔭 🧪 #EuropeanSolarEclipse @esa.int
esa.int
Replay of the online media briefing on the total solar eclipse
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 16/07/2026
Missed our total solar eclipse media briefing or couldn't attend? Watch the recording here 👉 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... featuring our Director of Science, Prof. @cmundell.esa.int , and other ESA experts. 🔭 🧪 #EuropeanSolarEclipse
esa.int
Replay of the online media briefing on the total solar eclipse
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
SPIE @spie.org · 10/07/2026
For the 2027 #SPIE Society Awards, we're introducing a new award! 🏆💡 ✨ The SPIE Award for Excellence in Leadership ✨ celebrates leaders whose vision, influence, and collaborative approach have strengthened the global optics and #photonics community. Read the award criteria: bit.ly/4g8aYkX
Banner promoting SPIE Awards showing Jess Wade speaking at a podium on a stage with blue and gold curtains, holding an award. Text reads: “SPIE Awards. Nominate a colleague. Accepting Society Award nominations through 31 July 2026.”
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
SPIE @spie.org · 08/07/2026
“Europe decided, decades ago, that some questions are too big for any one nation—and too important to leave unanswered.” #SPIEastro @esa.int @science.esa.int @cmundell.esa.int
Large screen shows text that reads: REACH FOR THE SKIES WITH THE ESA SCIENCE PROGRAMME. Speaker stands on stage wearing a white blazer and gray pants.
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
SPIE @spie.org · 08/07/2026
Amaze amaze amaze 🤩 Carole Mundell, Director of Science at the @esa.int, delivers an inspiring presentation on the ESA portfolio, from the exoplanet fleet to upcoming missions to #Venus, #Jupiter, and #Mercury. 🔭 #SPIEastro @cmundell.esa.int
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 07/07/2026
A cosmic construction project 🏗️ Webb has observed a galaxy cluster in the making. Two sub-clusters, roughly equal in mass, are actively merging in this messy view. Several details come to light when looking closer 👉 esawebb.org/images/potm2... 🔭 🧪
A galaxy cluster in deep space. It is filled with elliptical galaxies: small, bright white glowing ovals. The two largest elliptical galaxies, left and right of center, are bright cores that radiate light. Unrelated, distant galaxies are scattered around as red smudges and dots.Many of these are stretched out into red arcs and lines by the galaxy cluster’s strong gravity, creating multiple images in places. Numerous spiral galaxies and bright stars appear in the foreground. Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, S. Fujimoto
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 06/07/2026
Written in its stars ✨ On its 4th science anniversary, Webb has turned its gaze towards Centaurus A. Thanks to its high resolution we can now study the galaxy star by star, reconstructing when different events in its history happened 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 🔭 🧪
A horizontal image of the galaxy Centaurus A stretches across a black background filled with thousands of tiny purple, pink, and white points of light. The galaxy is brightest at its centre, where a brilliant white and pale pink glow radiates outward. Eight diffraction spikes extend from the central glow. Delicate loops and wispy ribbons of pink and lavender arc above and below the centre of the image in the shape of an ‘S’. A band of gray and white dust in the shape of a parallelogram cuts across the middle of the galaxy. Mottled patches and bright knots are scattered throughout the dusty band. The galaxy’s outer edges fade into soft, cloud-like plumes with feathery textures that stretch toward the left and right sides of the image. Against the surrounding darkness, a few bright foreground stars shine with Webb’s distinctive diffraction spikes, while countless fainter stars create a speckled backdrop. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI. Image Processing: A. Pagan (STScI), J. Depasquale (STScI), M. Garcia Marin (ESA Office at STScI)
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European Space History @eurospacehistory.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
#OTD 3 July 2003, ESA's Mars Express was pointed backwards to see a view of the Earth-Moon system from 8 million km while on its way to Mars. This was the first image of planetary objects taken by its High Resolution Stereo Camera 🧪🔭 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... @science.esa.int @cmundell.esa.int
A blue crescent Earth on the left, with a tiny silver grey crescent Moon on the right, separated by a black void. The image was built by combining a super resolution black-and-white snapshot image of Earth and the Moon taken by the Mars Express HRSC camera with colour information obtained by the blue, green and red sensors of the instrument.
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ESA en español @es.esa.int · 03/07/2026
El anuncio de la tripulación de Artemis III, el récord de Ariane 6, importantes novedades científicas y mucho más. 👀 Ponte al día con las principales noticias de junio de 2026.🗞️
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ESA en español @es.esa.int · 25/06/2026
Hoy, en el IX New Space Atlantic Summit en Lisboa, la directora de @science.esa.int @cmundell.esa.int destacó cómo la innovación impulsa el crecimiento y genera más inversión en el espacio, mientras la ESA trabaja con sus Estados miembros para desarrollar sus ambiciones científicas y tecnológicas.
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European Space History @eurospacehistory.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
#OTD 1 July 2004 (30 June US time), the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini-Huygens spacecraft entered orbit around Saturn, the first to do so. This is the first image of the planet's rings received after orbit insertion. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... @carolynporco.bsky.social @cmundell.esa.int @science.esa.int
After becoming the first spacecraft to enter orbit around Saturn, Cassini-Huygens sent back a photograph of a portion of the planet's rings. It was taken by the spacecraft's narrow-angle camera and shows the dark, unlit side of the rings.
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ESA en español @es.esa.int · 27/06/2026
¡Inspector Smile ya está en su órbita científica! 😊 El equipo europeo y chino inicia ahora una campaña de dos meses para la puesta en servicio de la nave, que incluye encender y comprobar todo su conjunto de instrumentos científicos. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... @science.esa.int
esa.int
Smile reaches science orbit
Smile reaches science orbit
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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Wild to see the detail revealed by the #Euclid #Galactic Bulge Survey. Right side of the ESASKY image below shows a zoomed in edge of the EGBS area on the right, with adjoining Gaia DR3 data to the left. EGBS gives HST WFC3 level detail, but over an area 2000 larger! @eucliduk.bsky.social 🧪🔭
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ESA en español @es.esa.int · 21/06/2026
#PorSiTeLoPerdiste - En nuestra última imagen de Mars Express se esconden más de 30 dust devils (remolinos de polvo). ¿Cuántos puedes encontrar? 🧐 Descubre la respuesta y aprende más sobre estos torbellinos con forma de tornado aquí 👇 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
esa.int
Dozens of dust devils hidden in plain sight
The European Space Agency’s Mars Express has captured part of Mars’s Mamers Valles: a fascinating valley system speckled with brief, tornado-like whirlwinds known as dust devils.
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Reposted by Professor Carole Mundell
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 19/06/2026
🗞️The latest edition of the ESA Science Newsletter is out!  Learn about: 🔴 Our Directorate of Science Virtual Town Hall 🔴 Arrakihs' adoption & extension of 13 space science missions  🔴 A Venus GIS database & more  Access the edition & subscribe 👉 cosmos.esa.int/web/scinews 🔭 ☄️
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Euclid Consortium @ec-euclid.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
While writing about data releases: #ESAEuclid's major Data Release 1 will start with 1900 deg² of calibrated images, spectra, and catalogues in November 2026 ("DR1-Foundation"), adding higher-level #cosmology data products in mid-2027. www.cosmos.esa.int/web/euclid/d... #ESA #Euclid #astronomy
cosmos.esa.int
DR1 Timeline - Euclid - Cosmos
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Valeria Pettorino @vpettorino.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Euclid Quick Data Release 2 is approaching
youtu.be
Countdown to the new Euclid image release (24 June at 12:00 CEST)
YouTube video by European Space Agency, ESA
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ESA en español @es.esa.int · 18/06/2026
Únete a la directora de Ciencia de la ESA, Prof. @cmundell.esa.int el 24 de junio a las 14:00 CEST para conocer las últimas novedades del Programa Científico, sus prioridades futuras, las oportunidades de participación para la comunidad y participar en una sesión de preguntas y respuestas en directo
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Sarah Kendrew @sarahkendrew.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Our ESA Director of Science @cmundell.esa.int & Head of Science Engagement @gaitee.bsky.social will be hosting a @science.esa.int Town Hall on June 24th @ 14:00 CEST. All members of the scientific community are invited to attend, details here! 🔭🚀 www.cosmos.esa.int/web/dsci_tow...
cosmos.esa.int
Home - DSCI TownHall Meeting - Cosmos
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SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Upgraded Ariane 6 launches Amazon Leo satellites An Ariane 6 with upgraded solid rocket boosters successfully launched three dozen Amazon Leo satellites June 17 as ESA weighs options for increasing the vehicle’s launch rate....
spacenews.com
Upgraded Ariane 6 launches Amazon Leo satellites
An Ariane 6 with upgraded solid rocket boosters successfully launched three dozen Amazon Leo satellites June 17 as ESA weighs options for increasing the vehicle’s launch rate.
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 17/06/2026
The virtual event is open to all members of the scientific community.   For more details check out this link 👉 www.cosmos.esa.int/web/dsci_townhall 🧪 ☄️ 2/2
cosmos.esa.int
Home - DSCI TownHall Meeting - Cosmos
The Director of Science at the European Space Agency, Professor Carole Mundell, is delighted to invite you to join her for the third Science Directorate Town Hall meeting.
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 17/06/2026
Registrations open for the third Science Directorate Town Hall   Join ESA Director of Science, Prof. @cmundell.esa.int  on 24 June from 14:00 CEST for updates on the Science Programme, future priorities, opportunities for community engagement and a live Q&A.  🧪 ☄️ 1/2
Promotional image reading Director of Science Town Hall, 24 June 14:00–16:00 CEST. In the background, a blue-white, circular spiral galaxy is shown on a colourful starry background.
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 10/06/2026
They were recognised for their work uncovering fossil evidence proving that the Milky Way galaxy grew by engulfing smaller neighbouring galaxies. Data from ESA's Gaia mission played a crucial role. Here's what else Gaia uncovered about our Milky Way 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 🔭 🧪 2/2
esa.int
Gaia’s decade of discoveries: unravelling the intricacies of our galaxy
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 10/06/2026
Congratulations to the laureates of the 2026 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics! 🔴 Vasily Belokurov, University of Cambridge, UK 🔴 Amina Helmi, University of Groningen, The Netherlands 🔴 Rodrigo Ibata, University of Strasbourg, France kavli-prize.vercel.app/prizes/astro... 🔭 🧪 1/2
kavli-prize.vercel.app
2026 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics
Overview over the 2026 Kavli Prize in astrophysics
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 10/06/2026
“By uncovering hard-to-see galaxy haloes, [Arrakihs] will reveal new details of how galaxies form and whether the Milky Way galaxy is unique. Its rapid development showcases the flexibility and breadth of ESA’s Science Programme,” says @cmundell.esa.int, ESA’s Director of Science. 🔭 🧪 2/3
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 10/06/2026
🚨New mission alert!🚨 🌌🪏ESA adopted ‘galactic archaeology’ mission Arrakihs today 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @arrakihs-mission.eu 🔭 🧪 1/3
esa.int
ESA adopts galactic archaeology mission Arrakihs
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Science Programme Committee has adopted the Arrakihs mission. Planned for launch by the end of 2030, Arrakihs will capture the faint light from nearby galaxy haloes. ...
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ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 10/06/2026
First example of dark matter structure from Euclid! Scientists have put together pieces of evidence collected by Euclid, the #DarkUniverse detective 🕵️, to reveal the dark matter structure in the galaxy cluster Abell 2390 👉 www.euclid-ec.org/euclid-start... @ec-euclid.bsky.social 🔭 🧪 #cosmology
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