iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 1h

Nine weeks post surgery at University Hospitals Sussex where I had two resections for #crohnsdisease. Living with even a temporary #ileostomy is still a challenge, albeit a bit easier. And next week I'll make a trip to work in the Royal Astronomical Society offices in London. Photo: Jane Penny

Middle aged White grey-haired bearded man standing up wearing only blue shorts and with an iileostomy.

230

Reposted by Robert Massey

Liam Connolly @connolly-lg.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I want my country back. By that, I mean a country where I would be confident that a thug who livestreamed himself stabbing an RNLI dingy on an active operation would a) Be universally condemned b) Be swiftly arrested, put on trial and if found guilty, face many years in jail. I miss that country.

261490236

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This is just incredible. The far right at their worst.

030

Reposted by Robert Massey

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

One reason England does so well is our second generation immigrants outperform their peers which is not true in most OECD countries. We are also very good at integration. And it's v sad that this is never acknowledge in debates on immigration.

592405851

Reposted by Robert Massey

Prof Jim Wild @jim-wild.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Jodrell may be the symbol, but it's not the whole story. Welcome as the PM's intervention on Jodrell Bank is, debate earlier today showed MPs have concerns over a wide range of facilities, experiments and capabilities underpinning UK research strength. Nevertheless, the politics seem to be shifting.

bbc.co.uk

Andy Burnham says "We'll find a way to save Jodrell Bank"

Burnham said "there is no way that we can see its demise, and it won't happen under my Government".

14113

Reposted by Robert Massey

Royal Astronomical Society @royalastrosoc.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The RAS welcomes the support of MPs and the powerful statements made during discussions in Parliament yesterday about cuts to research funding for fundamental physics and astronomy. Read more about the Westminster Hall debate and the latest funding cuts developments here: ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...

0112

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Photo from last week. I'm still recovering 4.5 weeks after surgery for #crohns, including removal of a large fistular mass, an ileo-caecal resection and a temporary #ileostomy. This is what a 56 year old looks like and to challenge the stigma a bit.

Middle aged man in shorts and with an ileostomy, standing poutside.

2180

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Maximum eclipse and then moonset earlier. #partiallunareclipse. I summoned the energy for this then slept again, but it was worth it.

170

Reposted by Robert Massey

Prof Jim Wild @jim-wild.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Another successful #EV road trip to the continent with the family. 1000 easy miles from Lancashire to Reims and back. Never had to wait while we charged - did that while we ate, slept or were otherwise having fun #flyingless

3183

Reposted by Robert Massey

Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

US Secretary of Health RFK Jr says the polio vaccine “killed many, many more people” than polio ever did. RFK Jr’s claim is false, here's why:

4020363

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Really touched by everyone who's been in contact asking after my health. Recovery is slow, sleeping a lot, and injecting anti-clotting medication. On the plus side, I'm finishing Ha Joon Chang's Edible Economics, and binge watching Pan Am and For All Mankind. And I'm in good hands with Jane Penny. ❤️

4110

Reposted by Robert Massey

Brian M. Ross @oldblackcrow.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

A new episode of The Super Massive Podcast, only in YouTube format! py -m Pip install total solar eclipse @robertmassey.bsky.social, Izzie Clarke, and @drbecky.bsky.social host! Join the Super Massive Club, please! supermassive.supportingcast.fm 🔭🎢🧪

youtu.be

Top Tips to see the Eclipse

YouTube video by The Supermassive Podcast

052

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Still here, mainly due to a high stoma output. A good chat yesterday with the surgeon, who explaining how he expanded one of the multiple cuts to help him pull hard to remove a mass of material, then installed the external resection. The smile is for the camera!

340

Reposted by Robert Massey

Megan Eaves-Egenes @meganeaves.com · 03/08/2026

Thanks to @robertmassey.bsky.social @royalastrosoc.bsky.social @astroroyalscot.bsky.social @gostargazing.bsky.social for the lovely quotes in this piece on how to safely enjoy the eclipse next week!

131

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Several visitors today including this one who was desperate for Jane's sandwich. Quite how it recognised a lunchbox on the ninth floor escapes me, but it's admirable. Other than that I'm going through recovery after an ileo-caecal resectional, removal of a fistular mass and fitting a stoma.

5100

Reposted by Robert Massey

Royal Astronomical Society @royalastrosoc.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

The Royal Astronomical Society is shocked and dismayed to hear that the UK's iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory is at risk of closure amid a slew of catastrophic budget cuts. Read our full statement here: ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...

8387181

Reposted by Robert Massey

Brian M. Ross @oldblackcrow.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Great listener questions episode of The Super Massive Podcast! Izzie Clarke, @robertmassey.bsky.social, and @drbecky.bsky.social take on some pretty interesting questions. Here is their YouTube link! youtu.be/1ZIhVaL8lZk?... Join the Super Massive Club for an ad-free experience! 🔭🎢🧪

youtu.be

Q&A: Could dark matter be space vampires? Do black holes create different 'eras' of time?

YouTube video by The Supermassive Podcast

083

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Brilliant opening for the NAM 2026 community session by @astroroyalscot.bsky.social setting out the cuts and how @royalastrosoc.bsky.social is working to stop them. #saveukastronomy

1131

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

On an #Avanti train that was supposed to go to Birmingham, but isn't, doesn't have enough staff, is delayed by 50 minutes so far and followed one that was cancelled. The sooner Avanti is nationalised the better.

160

Reposted by Robert Massey

Tereza Pultarova @terezapultarova.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

A bright "Saturn's ring" of satellites will emerge around Earth, outshining stars if satellite companies get to launch a million data centers. #darksky #space @robertmassey.bsky.social @profhughlewis.bsky.social www.space.com/space-explor...

space.com

An artificial 'Saturn's ring' of satellites could soon fill the sky, astronomers warn

"It sounds like a bad science fiction movie."

011

Reposted by Robert Massey

Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

A strong and competent UK state would sweep in here and grab every PhD student we can find. Alas, no such state exists and we won't bother doing anything, as usual.

37222

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

This looks like a signal that science and research more generally is being taken a lot less seriously. It's not what we need.

182

Reposted by Robert Massey

Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 09/07/2026

🤔 Shock and horror! Credit: Private Eye

5301114

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Sadly it's hard to argue with this. There just isn't the ownership in government, despite hard evidence coming in from the affected communities. Much less than 1% of the UKRI budget is needed to stop the PPAN cuts, for example.

110

Reposted by Robert Massey

Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

The UK has now said it will actively harm or damage: *Chemistry *Nursing *High-end physics *Languages *Astronomy *Creative arts *Theatre and performance *Cultural industries *Europe-level science The UK has lost its mind. 🇬🇧

15323118

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Anyone interested in the astronomy (and particle and nuclear physics) funding crisis should watch this. I'm delighted at the work that @chionwurah.bsky.social and the SIT Committee did this morning. She's quite right that it won't assuage the deep concerns of researchers, and no hint it'll be fixed.

082

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

A quick crowdsourcing exercise. @royalastrosoc.bsky.social is looking for copyright free images we can use for promoting the eclipse on 12 August (a deep partial in the UK) to the press and public. Can anyone help? Diagrams and photos of past events all good. We'll obviously credit contributors.

121611

Reposted by Robert Massey

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

At today's UKRI board meeting, the fate of UK particle physics and astronomy will likely be decided. Have we done enough to convince the powers-that-be to halt the proposed funding cuts? 🤞 Read Prof. Hiranya Peiris in Nature today eloquently explaining why these cuts are wrong.🧪🔭⚛️ 📖: rdcu.be/friwM

Restructuring research funding as a choice between discovery and application gets the economics wrong, the evidence wrong and the people wrong.

A premise is gaining traction in science policy on both sides of the Atlantic: that fundamental and applied research are competing claims on the same budget, and that the balance must shift towards application. In the USA, the current administration has proposed cuts of billions of dollars to the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. In the UK, the national funding agency UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is restructuring its portfolio around government growth priorities, with curiosity-driven research nominally protected but the grant lines that actually fund investigators under severe pressure. The language varies — ‘doing fewer things better’, ‘aligning research with industrial strategy’ — but the underlying logic is the same. Fundamental science, the argument goes, is a luxury that becomes dispensable when budgets are tight. This premise is wrong, and the consequences of acting on it are already visible.

520375

Reposted by Robert Massey

RAS Journals @rasjournals.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

RAS Journals and @royalastrosoc.bsky.social are at the EAS. Come and visit our stand! Pictured left to right, Marieta Valdivia Lafort and Pam Rowden.

052

Reposted by Robert Massey

SpaceKate @spacekate.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

I’m more used to banging on about rockets and space than myself, but I am quietly proud to have been shortlisted for two Hazels Space Awards - ceremony this evening. Of course it would incredible to win something, but honestly being shortlisted with some amazing women is an honour in itself.

5341

Reposted by Robert Massey

American Astronomical Society (AAS) @aas.org · 23/06/2026

🔭 Enter the Royal Society Publishing 2026 Photo Competition This annual competition, which includes an #astronomy category, celebrates the role great images play in making science accessible to a wide audience. Deadline: 14 August. royalsociety.org/journals/pub... @royalsocietypublishing.org

072

Reposted by Robert Massey

Peter Smith @redpeter99.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Starmer and Gordon Brown, could have used their family and photogenic children to help their image. Both chose not to. Speaks volumes about both men.

810212

Reposted by Robert Massey

Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Makerfield result is extraordinary: A swing back to governing party in a by-election is exceptional. Winning absolute majority of the vote in a seat with Reform friendly demographics is exceptional. Doing both on an increased turnout when your party is polling under 20% is truly exceptional

30434101

Reposted by Robert Massey

Prof Jim Wild @jim-wild.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Looking forward to teaming up with @astroroyalscot.bsky.social, @chrislintott.bsky.social, @drbecky.bsky.social, @jonbutterworth.bsky.social, Brian Cox and others in Westminster! #STFCCuts #UKRI

192

Reposted by Robert Massey

Prof Jim Wild @jim-wild.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Heading to Parliament to meet MPs and enlist their help to stop the cuts that UKRI and STFC will impose upon UK particle physics, astrophysics and nuclear (PPAN) research! We need to help Science Minister Vallance, who is “determined that UKRI must find a way to look after PPAN” #SaveUKAstronomy

Jim Wild wearing a suit, tie and Royal Astronomical Society lapel badge standing on a railway platform

2204

Reposted by Robert Massey

Sanho Tree @sanho.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

The world’s first trillionaire took away our Ebola response capacity, gave us screwworms, hollowed out our government so he could pay less taxes, and condemned millions of the world’s most vulnerable people to death.

201686678

Reposted by Robert Massey

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

" #STFC ... have worked collaboratively with the sector as this process progresses across many community meetings ... involving many thousands of research colleagues. " Dear 1000's of research colleagues: do you feel "involved" in this "collaborative" process? 😡🙅‍♀️🔭⚛️ ℹ️: ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...

2258

Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

We wrote to science minister Lord Vallance, and had a non-reply from UKRI CEO Ian Chapman. Complacent was among the politer words being used in the office yesterday.

040

Reposted by Robert Massey

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

The last time the two Astronomer Royals were at loggerheads was back in the 1990s. The Royal Greenwich & Royal Edinburgh Observatories were pitted against each other in a battle where only one would survive. 🔭 Read all about it in Ian Robson's Observatory Wars: 📖: www.obsmag.org/issues/publi...

The Royal Observatory Edinburgh, at night

2499

Reposted by Robert Massey

Royal Astronomical Society @royalastrosoc.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Our Deputy Executive Director @robertmassey.bsky.social is giving a talk at @sussex.ac.uk next week about the growing problem of satellite constellations. 🛰️ Interested in going along to the free event? 📛 'A Cluttered and Noisy Sky?' 📅 10 June ⏰️ 6-7pm 🎟️ & ℹ️ student.sussex.ac.uk/events/detai...

064

Reposted by Robert Massey

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

DfE pupil data is out today and shows that the number of private school pupils has dropped 5.6% since VAT was introduced. Not 25% like the independent schools council predicted. Or the 50% we saw in some right-wing papers. 5.6%.

851352421

Reposted by Robert Massey

Gaby Hinsliff @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

I have a student son Henry Nowak’s age & I can’t imagine what it took for his family to respond outside court with the grace they did, asking that their son’s death not be used for division and hate. That Reform & Restore chose to throw that back in their faces makes me feel sick.

502216509

Reposted by Robert Massey

Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

The eleven Sikh MPs in the House of Commons have issued this joint letter - posted by @warinderjussmp.bsky.social - about the tragic murder of Henry Nowak

811838

Reposted by Robert Massey

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

410960

Reposted by Robert Massey

Brian M. Ross @oldblackcrow.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

How do #Space #Telescopes Work? Well, that's the title of this episode of The Super Massive Podcast! @drbecky.bsky.social, Izzie Clarke, and @robertmassey.bsky.social host! Izzie interviews Dr Tom Barclay from NASA's Roman telescope and Dr Chris Pearson from RAL Space. Enjoy! 🔭🎢

pca.st

How Do Space Telescope Work?

Nancy Grace Roman. Ariel. The next generation of space telescopes are here. Astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst and science journalist Izzie Clarke explore how they work, what they can tell us and why…

083