iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 17h

If you missed the Martian moons kick-off of the IAU 100 Hours of Astronomy 🔭, you can watch a recording of the live feed here (including me, how could you miss it?!)! 🛰️ Stacks of content on the JAXA Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, which will launch on October 20 🚀🚀🚀

youtube.com

Mission: Mars. Unravelling the mysteries of the Solar System with MMX

YouTube video by IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

ON THIS PALINDROMIC DAY (10.01) at 21:00 JST (12:00 UTC), the IAU 100 Hours of Astronomy kicks off with a Martian moons fest 🛰️ Hear about JAXA's exploration plans, the science of the MMX mission and the adorable Idefix rover, and a Q&A with me where I say everything I know about MMX in 10 minutes 🔭🧪

youtube.com

Mission: Mars. Unravelling the mysteries of the Solar System with MMX

YouTube video by IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Never have I been found so lacking as a human being. And I went to grad school. #NorahNeko #CasperCat

Two cats sit in nearly identical poses, side-by-side on a run. They are staring at me with judgment. JUDGEMENT.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Ah, fresh spring days~! 🌸🌼🪻 (This is the “Wistful” world in VR Chat. It’s very pretty. whimsical and—ah yes—wistful! And you can search for hidden oranges around the house 🍊. I did not find them all. That was less whimsical and more annoying.)

A screenshot taking through my Quest 3 headset of the “wistful” virtual reality world. It shows a Japanese style house surrounded by a field of purple flowers.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Well look who is trying out the sofa! (Changing it up from the usual box stuffed behind the sofa.) #CasperCat

A black and white cat with green eyes is sitting on a sofa.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Last night, #NorahNeko wanted to sleep with me. #CasperCat wanted to sleep with Norah, but not me. Vocal protests followed. It was the fox/chicken/corn riddle, except the corn complains loudly and nobody gets any sleep. 🤨

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

After 13 hours of consideration… Air France has the worst seats of any long distance carrier. My knees were pressed into the seat in front and the feet of the passenger behind me were brushing my heels. I had to balance my MacBook Air on its spine to open it. I don’t want to sit for a week.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The station walls at Gare du Nord in Paris are decorated with the equations that help us model climate change.

One board at the station, written in English, explains the equations.

One of the equations for modelling circulation.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

And into the ocean we go 🚂! Splash 💦 🤿

A snapshot of Google maps showing the location marker at the coastline of the UK.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Best dessert. I will take no questions. (I was going to say “best British dessert” but since it’s called a “Belgian bun” that seemed a weak case.)

A fruit bun with icing and a cherry. Bought from
Greggs.

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

BlueSky! Any Sunday chores on your to-do list today that would benefit from an audio accompaniment? Here is me & Jason Goodyer (editor of BBC Science Focus) having a lovely long blether about reality. Suitable for both cooking and cleaning activities. You're welcome 🤗🧪🔭 🔗: pod.link/1296673906/e...

Podcast episode
Are we living in a simulation? How to tell if reality is fake.
Instant Genius.
A picture of a spooky face with plants in its brain....???

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Ah, the announcement that begins all long journeys: “Replacement bus service”

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

2026: Neither the red pill or the blue pill works any more.

An exhibit at the UK Science Museum showing a plastic model human with a wire and control pad coming out of its head. A sign beside the exhibit reads “we are working hard to fix this”.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

…. it’s coming…. 🎄 (Altough I strongly suspect my brother has had this fellow out all year!)

A door stop in the shape of a red nosed reindeer peeks around a door.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I like bug butts and I cannot lie 🐞.

A close up photograph of a pink and yellow rose with a ladybird sitting on a petal.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Best ever! (Visiting the UK and my family.)

A slice of homemade fruit cake sits beside a mug of tea.

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Alice Sheppard @penguingalaxy.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Hello pals. Please pelt me with your favourite octopus facts. It's for a thing. But also just because octopuses are awesome. Thank you :)

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It is Friday, and the person in this office has absolutely done enough 😅

A building at a university with square windows on two floors. The slatted blinds in one of the upstairs windows are a tangled mess.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Stopped by a random dude on the street this morning. Being British, I assumed he was about to steal my wallet. But he apparently wanted… a date?! I feel that is weird even for France 🧐

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This is a gourmet delight on a pizza from Bordeaux! The egg in the centre is actually a cheese egg. It’s been hours and I still cannot move well 🤣

A photograph of a pizza. The topping is green with basil, tomato and cheese, and there’s a large white dome in the middle that is made of cheese.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

For anyone who is picturing me riding the rails until dawn… we can spread that rumour… but I did actually succeed in reaching Bordeaux. My room is in a sunny corner, creating a bathroom nearly the same size as the bedroom!

Photograph looking into the en-suite bathroom in my room, which is very spacious.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

This train does Paris to Bordeaux in just over two hours. That’s fast, even by Shinkansen standards. My ticket was just scanned and declared “parfaite” and not “madam, this train is nonstop to Brussels” so I’m considering this a win almost as big as the cheese baguette I ate for lunch.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

My train ticket is for seat 666. Jesus has not taken this wheel. Which explains the replacement bus service.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I studied French in school and admittedly was terrible, but now when I reach for the words I do know… I speak Japanese. EVERY. TIME. I just requested a tea in Japanese twice. And once in half-French-half-Japanese. Also, I meant to ask for a coffee.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Made it into central Paris, possibly to the right station for the train to Bordeaux. But it’s too early for the train to be listed in the boards, and there is not one single person who looks like they could confirm my eticket. Decided to buy a cheese baguette and stop worrying about life.

A photograph of my cheese banquette. It is crusty and full of Brie cheese. Beside it is a chai tea

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Arrived in Paris airport to find the train station closed. Followed directions to shuttle bus that seemed popular and hoped it was heading for Paris. We wove around the airport and arrived at some hotels. Everyone remained aboard except the driver. One guy is making train noises. He’s an optimist.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

When I was teeny, I had a soft toy I dubbed suck-a-thumb because it had plastic hands and could… look, I was a literal kid. It wasn’t until I moved to Japan and walked into a store of suck-a-thumbs that its Monchhichi origins became clear. I bought a keychain to recall my childhood brain explosion.

A small plastic monchhichi figure is on a keychain attached to a bag. It looks a bit like a monkey with brown fur but bald face, hands and feet.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

When you plan a ten minute stroll outside in summer in Japan 😐

A man stands on a train platform with a large barrel of “pocari sweat” by his feet. Pocari sweat is a rehydration drink.

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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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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026

ACQUISITION OF SIGNAL CONFIRMED! 🎉🛰️ #BepiColombo telemetry shows the Mercury Transfer Module has successfully separated from the spacecraft stack! ✅ First step of Mercury arrival phase - complete! 👏 Next stop: Mercury orbit insertion for MPO and Mio in November! @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury

First signal after seperation from BepiColombo

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026

🟢 GO for MTM separation. The Mission Control Team has the green light to proceed with #BepiColombo's MTM separation. ✅ The spacecraft is configured, the team is ready, and the first milestone of #Mercury arrival is underway. 🛰️ @esa.int #JAXA

The BepiColombo flight control team assembled in the Main Control Room at ESOC

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

IT ME! In this #MMXTeamQQ, I give a rapid rundown of our global partners for the Martian Moons eXploration (#MMX) mission to Phobos! 🛰️ More than anything else (and perhaps more so now than any other time) the collaboration, support, friendship, and excitement is the BEST part of this mission.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Lift off lift off LIFT OFF!!! (October 20) #mmx

Three launch posters for the JAXA Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission. The design shows a central circle in orange with a picture of the spacecraft on the lower right. The launch date is 2026.10.20.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Cute bookmarks of the JAXA MMX launch poster have appeared at the all-hands meeting this week! 🛰️ As always, we began the meeting with a mission overview. But as the last all-hands before launch, I feel there was a true trolling moment missed: “MMX will arrive at Phobos…” “WAT?!” #MMX

A small rectangular laminated version of the MMX launch poster, featuring a orange circle and an image of the spacecraft. The launch date is listed as October 20.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

In silent screams of the day: Me: [trying to slide my smartphone into my pocket, but the pocket isn’t deep enough] Dude next to me on the train: [Stuffs a 500ml drink bottle into his trouser pocket and pulls out a book.]

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

My friend is making this adorable little #MMX spacecraft! The propulsion module (the top section) detaches, which will genuinely happen once we enter Mars orbit to save on weight. The sample return capsule at the front can also be removed, to bring our Phobos sample safely back to Earth 🤩

A cute little MMX spacecraft that resembles the character mascot. It has big felt eyes and the sample capsule is labelled with an “M”.

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Jack Ryan 🙏🧪 @jacksonwryan.com · 01/09/2026

So I may have made a mistake... Which is good for people who like human writing and art!!! It means you can still secure a magazine for the next 48 hours at the cheapest price we can do it!

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I’ve bought a small projector! I have a mount to clip it to my ceiling duct rail, but it’s currently just sitting on a folding table. Achivement so far is connecting it directly to Netflix… and finding the language button 😐

A projected screen sits above my actual small TV showing an episode of “Friends”.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

In 2024, LiteBIRD went blind. The ultra-sensitive detectors were incredibly difficult to develop, leaving the JAXA mission unable to seek the signal it must capture 🔭🛰️. What happened next was a reformation that could change the path of space science. My latest 🧪: cosmos.isas.jaxa.jp/staying-airb...

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Ready to build a spacecraft to explore Phobos FOR THE FIRST TIME EVA?! 🛰️ LET'S GOOOO 🔭. This is TOTALLY real time development of the JAXA Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft at Mitsubishi Electric Kamakura Works 😐 (*) (* or... maybe January ~ March 2025 🧪. Whichever.) (** Launch October 20 🚀)

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

We are not cackling at a crow. We are cackling at the reflection of a crow. The crow is actually behind us. One window pane is the only barrier against becoming a #NorahNeko cat snack.

A photograph of a calico cat crouched on a window sill bed, staring at the window pane. Dimly in the glass reflection, it’s possible to make out a large crow.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

It took a while for him to discover it, but #CasperCat has adopted the box whose expressed sentiments I thought he’d vibe with 🤣

A long thin box with circular entrances at either end is decorated with the writing “let me alone!” And “hide and seek”. The nose of a black and white cat can be seen inside.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Today I learned that royal milk tea comes in different flavours 😳 Less surprisingly, I learned this at Donki.

Four different packets of “Royal milk tea” sit on a shelf. The traditional blue packet is on the far right but there is brown sugar, matcha, and peach flavours too.

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

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Elizabeth Tasker @elizabethtasker.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The program is OUT for the hybrid IAU Innovative Research and Techniques in Astronomy Communication 🔭 November 2~6. Clearly the BEST workshop will be Vanessa Moss, who leads @futuremeetings.bsky.social, looking at how immersive tech (like VR) can redesign how we work. 🧪: iau-oao.nao.ac.jp/iaus409/

Poster for the conference, highlighting Vanessa's talk. Her workshop is titled "Beyond being there: emerging technologies for effective distributed collaboration".

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