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Tom Brown

@tombrownjournalist.bsky.social
346 followers 523 following 22 posts

Freelance science writer. Writing about space, energy and environmental justice. Words in Al Jazeera, New Lines Mag & The Guardian

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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
In 1957, a nuclear waste tank exploded in the Urals, spreading radioactive material across the Soviet Union. Today, much of that radioactive matter still remains in the soil. Sites like this are leading to a phenomena unique to Russia: atomic wildfires
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
What time is it on the moon? Depends on who you ask, China or the US. Read my latest on how Lunar different time-keeping standards matter for future space missions: www.space.com/astronomy/mo...
space.com
What time is it on the moon? The US and China disagree
Why making lunar standard time is in everyone's best interests.
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Why are pharmaceutical companies growing cancer tumours in space? Cancer cells grow faster in space because of the lack of gravity. It's great news if you want to develop cancer treatments quicker The problem? Some of the treatments might only work in low gravity 🧪 Read here: tinyurl.com/4m3csnvz
tinyurl.com
Could the answers to cancer lie in space? Why off-Earth research is heating up
An experiment involving artificial organs is just one way researchers are trying to capitalize on the weird ways low-gravity environments affect the human body.
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Storm Gannon has become the first ever geomagnetic storm to receive a name from NASA after it lit up skies from Mexico to Italy one year ago: www.space.com/stargazing/a...
space.com
NASA names geomagnetic storm for 1st time, honoring a space weather scientist who died suddenly in 2024
"Jenn was a brilliant scientist and a beloved friend and colleague who dedicated her life to understanding geomagnetic storms and their impacts on Earth."
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Check out my latest on a recent study testing the limits of memory formation
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
The Northern Lights are continually being seen in low-latitude countries like Mexico, making them vulnerable to geomagentic storms: www.space.com/stargazing/a...
space.com
Northern Lights in Mexico? Low-latitudes may be more vulnerable than expected to geomagnetic storms
Mother's Day 2024 heralded Mexico's most powerful geomagnetic storm in two decades, which knocked the country's atomic clocks out of sync and rattled its energy grid.
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Reposted by Tom Brown
Christina McCluskey @cloudofwonder.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
It was great chatting with Tom about the exciting ARCSIX project and all the exciting research still to be done in the Arctic!
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
NASA is finding dust in Arctic clouds — Greenland might be the culprit. As the ice sheet melts, more landmass is exposed to harsh winds kicking dust up into the atmosphere and changing the climate 🧪 Find out how in this free to read piece: www.space.com/the-universe...
space.com
Arctic ice is melting faster than expected — and the culprit could be dust
"The Arctic is changing faster than anywhere else on the planet, so the question we’re trying to ask here is: Is the Arctic going to change fast, or really fast?"
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
We just published this piece using FOI requests to document how biomass company Enviva burnt protected wood species in its Lynemouth plant, a converted coal-fire power station in the UK 🧪 Read the full story here. No paywall: geographical.co.uk/science-envi...
geographical.co.uk
Can wood-burning power stations ever be sustainable?
Despite emitting more carbon than coal, the government backs Lynemouth’s green credentials—granting its owner £700 million in subsidies. Christine Ro and Tom Brown investigate
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
If anyone knows anything about feral hogs in Texas please get in touch 🐖
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Reposted by Tom Brown
Covering Climate Now @coveringclimatenow.org · 13/02/2025
🥁 It's that time of year again... We know you've all been waiting for it... Submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards! 🎉
coveringclimatenow.org
The Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards — Covering Climate Now
Entry submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards. This is the fifth year for our annual awards program, and every year we’re amazed by the quality and variety of work ent...
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
Corn seems to grow better in soil from the moon than soil from Mars, raising questions over the sustainability of space colonies. Read my latest for @space.com www.space.com/the-universe...
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
I've written about the science behind the ecosystems of Dune and Star Wars, as NASA research sheds light on what life (or lack therefore) could exist on desert exoplanets: www.space.com/the-universe...
space.com
Desert planets like those in 'Dune' and 'Star Wars' unlikely to host life, NASA says
"Even if a planet is in the habitable zone, if it has too small a water inventory, it transitions to an uninhabitable state."
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Retraction Watch @retractionwatch.com · 02/01/2025
We're thrilled to announce the creation of the Retraction Watch Sleuth in Residence Program.
retractionwatch.com
Introducing the Retraction Watch Sleuth in Residence Program
We’re thrilled to announce the creation of the Retraction Watch Sleuth in Residence Program, an opportunity for a sleuth to spend a year working with us. Too often, sleuths work for free, often at …
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
I'm writing about space agriculture for Space.com, if anyone would like to send me any readings or fancy a chat about it please don't be shy
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Cow dung burning releases more air pollution in India than burning coal. Read my latest below in @eos.org: eos.org/articles/bur...
eos.org
Burning Cow Dung Emits an Inordinate Amount of Air Pollution in India - Eos
Dried cow dung, a main source of household cooking fuel for many in rural India, releases more particulate matter across the country than wood and other biofuels.
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Tom Brown @tombrownjournalist.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
This investigation represents nearly two years of in-depth reporting — investigating Russian influence on Namibia's uranium sector. The country is holding elections today. Free to read below: aljazeera.com/features/202...
aljazeera.com
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