iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Eamonn Kerins

Dr. Jessie Christiansen @aussiastronomer.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

We trained a natural language agent to query the archive's tables! Ask a question of AstroFetch and it will do a search of our documentation and ADS, generate the right TAP query, and present the results. Give it a try! exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/index.html

Screenshot of the front page of the NASA Exoplanet Archive with a button labeled 'Query AstroFetch AI' circled in red. Squared in red? Highlighted in red.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Roman was designed to operate with a ten year lifetime. Thanks to frugal fuel use so far, it's lifetime is expected now to be 22 years. That will enable it to do surveys that would take Hubble 30 thousand years to complete! science.nasa.gov/blogs/roman/... 🔭🧪

science.nasa.gov

Fuel Savings Double Potential Lifetime for NASA’s Roman Mission - NASA Science

The results are in: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s very accurate first mid-course correction, along with other fuel savings, are expected to more

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

If you've got this far and agree with this message then please repost, not just like. Especially if you're a scientist. This discussion needs to be aired widely. 11/11

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

In this way the UK retains the intellectual capability of UK scientists often funded by the UK taxpayer. This model should also be emulated by all countries in order to wrestle control of scientific capability from private companies and place it where it should be: at the service of all. 10/n

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The UK platform should be accessible to all - science must be open. But its learning will be via users of verified academic credential who help make it smarter. The evolving weights of the LLM that embody its capability should be treated as a national strategic asset, safely held, not for sale. 9/n

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

It's my belief that the UK needs to establish quickly a publicly owned and run AI platform for UK-based scientists, and the wider academic community, to onboard onto. The bulk of our research activity should be on this platform 8/n

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

For countries that do not host leading AI companies the situation is even more critical. For example, if large numbers of UK scientists start onboarding onto these programmes it will result in a virtual brain drain to non-UK private companies. This should be of national strategic concern. 7/n

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

One is that we are tutoring AI how to be a scientist and it will become better than the best of us. But it will also be in private hands. Science is an endeavour that must remain open. Human scientists cannot become locked into (or locked out of) commercially owned scientific capability. 6/n

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The current action to onboard scientists will allow AI learning of the scientific process to happen in a much cleaner more efficient way. And that is a good thing in many ways. But there are some obvious and very major downsides. 5/n

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Of course scientists the world over are already using AI and so it is already learning from us. But many of our interactions are buried within the much larger pool of all users of AI. It's not a simple task for AI to rigourously identify interactions by real scientists doing real science. 4/n

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

By joining, scientists are no longer a user like any other member of the public. We have verified ourselves as scientists and so become part of a highly prized AI training pool. AI has pretty much consumed all the worlds digital knowledge, but not yet fully the skills of being a scientist. 3/n

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

As scientists we need to think carefully about the wisdom of onboarding onto such programs. I'm not talking about no longer using AI, but about specifically joining these "tailored for scientists" offerings. They claim they're free, but they're really not. 2/n

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Despite recent concerns being expressed by AI companies over AI safety, they are working hard to onboard scientists. I argue this is something we need to be concerned about. If you read this thread and agree with it then please repost, not just like, so as to widen discussion. 1/n 🔭🧪

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

For any BBC 6Music fans out there, I'll be guesting live on Bobby Friction's show tomorrow morning from around 11. We'll be having a big space chat about NASA Roman, exoplanets and who knows what else. Sounds like Bobby's lining up a top space playlist too, so it should be great.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

10-year old me would be bowled over! Great to be in the Newsround studio to talk about Roman with Shanequa Paris and to answer some brilliant questions from Newsround viewers www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/vi...

bbc.co.uk

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope: Mission explained by scientist

Dr Eamonn Kerins, from the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester, talks about being at the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Having grown up watching Newsround in the 70s and 80s, it's an understatement to say I'm a bit excited about this. Can't wait for all the amazing questions. www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ar...

bbc.co.uk

Send Your Questions to Dr Eamonn Kerins After Nasa's New Telescope Launch

From exoplanets to dark energy, Nasa's new Roman Space Telescope will explore the universe. Send in your questions!

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Roman continuing to make good progress towards L2 where it will join the James Webb Space Telescope and also ESA's Euclid observatory. Roman's coronograph instrument had been successfully powered up. This will be the first instrument capable of directly imaging exoplanets in reflected light.

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Reposted by Eamonn Kerins

The University of Manchester @manchester.ac.uk · 01/09/2026

UOM ASTRONOMER ON NASA MISSION 🚀⬇️ NASA's Roman Space Telescope mission, due to launch on 30 August 2026 is being lead in part by Dr Eamonn Kerins. The mission is expected to discover more than 100,000 planets orbiting other stars, helping to build the most comprehensive picture of our galaxy yet.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

It's a common misconception that physics research is a drain on our taxes. In the UK, every pound of tax payers money invested in physics has a return of 2-3 pounds to our economy. We are a motor to the economy, not a drain on it.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Great chatting with Naga Munchetty earlier today on BBC Radio 5 Live about Roman the mission, and Nancy Grace Roman the pioneering astrophysicist. Catch it on BBC Sounds about 2 hrs 15 mins in to the show: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... @nancyromansci.bsky.social #Roman #GoRoman 🧪🔭

bbc.co.uk

Naga Munchetty - 01/09/2026 - BBC Sounds

Naga Munchetty features news, experiences, and big name interviews from around the UK.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

More good news on the continuing Roman deployment: high gain antenna and sunshade both activated successfully. It's also crossed the Moon's orbit and continues towards L2. science.nasa.gov/blogs/roman/...

science.nasa.gov

NASA Roman Space Telescope’s Antenna, ‘Visor’ Deployed - NASA Science

Roman’s antenna and visor-like sunshade have successfully deployed.

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Reposted by Eamonn Kerins

Teresa Anderson @teresa-anderson.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

In the house today, the Prime Minister said: 'Everyone of my generation...went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank and there is no way we can see its demise and it won't happen under my government..... ' 😯🥳 Thank you @andyburnham.bsky.social 🙏

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Roman looks to be making good progress after the first mid course correction. Currently roughly 3/4 of the way to lunar orbit. But its final destination is the Earth-Sun L2 point - well beyond the Moon. Trajectory via NASA Eyes: eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-s... 🧪🔭🚀

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Today has been a memorable one for me. Here's a 12 min video starting 3 mins before launch. Unfortunately my mic noise suppression was so effective that you can't really hear the rocket or the crowd. Take it from me - they were both loud! Anyway the visuals remain. 🔭🧪🚀 youtu.be/EFKRZei_wDg?...

youtu.be

Falcon Heavy Launch of the NASA Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from Banana Creek

YouTube video by Eamonn Kerins

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Me with Roman colleague Ryan Hickox a few minutes after launch. I think it's fair to say we're feeling pretty good 😁 #GoRoman #RomanLaunch 🧪🔭🚀

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

It's not a great feeling to see 15 years of work (and many more years of work by Goddard engineers) sitting on top of a great big bomb. But it feels utterly amazing to see it break free from the bonds of Earth and head off to its permanent home. #RomanLaunch 🚀🔭🧪 (picture credit: Kate Kerins)

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

... And find around 100,000 new exoplanets, and map 20 billion stars in our Galaxy. And much, much more...

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

OMG!! There are no words! Except perhaps... GO ROMAN!!! #RomanLaunch

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

T-minus 40 minutes. Weather looks good and right now the Roman Senior Project Scientist, the awesome Julie McEnery, is on the big screen at Banana Creek, and unflappable as ever.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

I'm gobsmacked right now. This is like some kind of dreamscape #RomanLaunch 🧪🔭🚀

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Jupiter putting on a beautiful show with 1.5 hours to launch. Lightning fears have receded. Go Roman! #RomanLaunch 🔭🧪🚀

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Grrr, may have spoken too soon. There is lightning in the area. Hopefully we'll dodge it.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

The atmosphere is certainly building.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Not a bad view! And weather looks ok 👍

Cape Canaveral Pad 39A where the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope sits atop a Falcon Heavy awaiting launch. Local time is 3:30 - t-minus 4 hours to launch.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Roman is safe and snug inside the Falcon Heavy at launchpad LC39A, Kennedy. But the weather forecast is looking mixed for tomorrow's launch. Officially a 50% chance of launch. Fingers and toes all crossed. Go Roman! #RomanLaunch

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Roman is scheduled for launch at 07:26:04 local time from launch complex 39A atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy. There's just a 30 second launch margin. You can catch it on NASA TV via YouTube. The two boosters will return for vertical landings at the adjacent Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Like an excited little boy doing my tourist thing around #Kennedy Space Center today. Buzzed to be invited to the #RomanLaunch on Sunday. Yesterday was the science team's last pre-launch meet. Everyone super-excited after the launch brief from Roman Launch Director, Missie Vess. Go Roman!

Me standing beside Space Shuttle Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center.

A selfie with a life-sized mock-up of Mars Rover Perseverance.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

As for what I'll be doing, I've been spending the past 15 years working on how to find exoplanets across the Galaxy with a mission like Roman, helping to drive it's design. Currently I'm developing new techniques we'll need to use on the vast data. It's time to go from simulation to reality. 🧪🔭

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

... And if you want to know what #NASARoman will do, there's no better person to tell you than the Roman Senior Project Scientist, Julie McEnery. Julie has been at the helm of the development of this amazing mission, bringing it to launch readiness early and under budget. youtu.be/iMQHSc7k1Qc?... 🔭🧪

youtu.be

Why Roman Could Change Everything We Know About The Universe

YouTube video by NASA Goddard

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Am I excited? You bet! Ten days until #NASARoman launches, and I'll be there to see it. It'll be an awesome telescope. In just over two weeks of operations, it'll amass more data than Hubble gathered over 30 years. By the end of its first year it'll have almost 4x the data volume of James Webb. 🧪🔭

My invite to Kennedy Space Center to see the launch of Roman on August 30th 2026.

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Reposted by Eamonn Kerins

Prof. Abel Méndez @profabelmendez.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Today marks the 49th anniversary of the Wow! Signal. Over the past two years, we’ve revisited the original observations and uncovered new clues about its nature. Here’s a summary of the latest properties we’ve determined. #AreciboWow (1/n)

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The view from #LymePark in Disley near Manchester yesterday evening. Couldn't tell if the sheep were wearing eclipse glasses.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The UK science community as a whole should be concerned by the funding news around Jodrell Bank. Why? What other UK based facility carries as much scientific soft power with the public? What an own goal if we mothball something that connects the pubic so passionately to science. 🔭🧪

A screenshot of trending topics on Bluesky on July 27th, when news broke of funding cuts to e-Merlin, which includes Jodrell Bank telescopes.

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Eamonn Kerins @eamonnkerins.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

What we need from #UKRI right now aren't funding buckets, it's buckets of common sense. My views on the funding crisis for Jodrell Bank and other facilities on @bbc5live.bsky.social this afternoon: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (around 1hr 46 into the show) 🔭🧪

bbc.co.uk

5 Live Drive - 27/07/2026 - BBC Sounds

A round-up of the day's top news and sport with Clare McDonnell and Chris Warburton.

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