Michael JasonSmith🕮 I finished “Our Accidental Universe: Stories of Discovery from Asteroids to Aliens” by @Chrislintott . A fantastic read. The stories are less about what was discovered and more about the process of science. Sometimes the process of discovery is straight forward. Often it is not, and there are good stories to go along with it.
@Chrislintott
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Astronomer, zookeeper, journalist.
Oxford Astro DPhil (PhD) projects for next year are up, including the fabulous opportunity to work with me on interstellar objects. Do apply! https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/study/postgraduates/dphil-astrophysics/exoplanets-and-stellar-physics #astrodon
Michael BuschThe #EuropaClipper is now in its parking orbit, where it will fly halfway around the world before the upper stage pushes it onto solar orbit.
If this seems similar to the #HeraMission launch a week ago:
Both Clipper and Hera will be doing flybys of Mars early next year, as gravitational slingshots to send them to their next destinations. Which will be Earth for a second flyby in 2026 Clipper's case.
All to save on fuel.
Successfully in Earth orbit. 40 minutes or so before the engine burn that will send it heading for Mars.
Looking good for the launch of NASA’s Europa Clipper to explore Jupiter’s watery moons. Targeted for just after 5pm UK time https://www.youtube.com/live/lQToTWKwtuw?si=_ZKbjJEGuU_sPhd- #astrodon
NASA's Europa Clipper Launch
Hello #oxford people! I'm hosting a new (hopefully regular) science/comedy night in Jericho's best basement, at Lynrace Spirit. If you like laughing and thinking, then this is for you.
Also I have no idea how to promote things anymore so please come. https://wegottickets.com/f/13600/
Huh, That's Funny
A night where comedy and science collide. Join a collection of comedians, scientists and the just plain curious in Jericho's most comfortable basement for a night that will make you laugh...and then think. Helmed by your hosts Liz Johnson & Chris Lintott, each evening is a one-off, never to be repeated event - so don't miss out. Show starts at 7.30, and runs for about 90 minutes including an interval. Tickets are £15, but help yourself to a discounted £12 ticket if you need one for any reason at all, or you can pay a few quid more to help us support our performers. Please note there are stairs to get to the venue - apologies.
Saddened beyond belief by the sudden passing of our boss Ian Shipsey. Ian was remarkable, in his science & as a passionate unselfish force for good, who made a huge contribution to Oxford Physics, the upcoming Vera Rubin & much else https://t.co/UZ3tS6e7uc
Only a few in person tickets left for my Gresham lecture next Wednesday. Grab one now, or sign up to watch online: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/mirror-sky
A Mirror in the Sky
The Hubble Space Telescope is the most famous astronomical instrument of all time. A project more than forty years in the making, Hubble overcame an initial disaster with a misshapen mirror to provide us with iconic views of everything from a comet crashing into Jupiter to the surprisingly active very distant Universe. This lecture tells its story – and explains what Hubble has revealed about the life of stars, and our own cosmic origins.
New euphemism for being late: ‘BepiColombo’s journey to Mercury becomes even more epic’ http://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/BepiColombo/Fourth_Mercury_flyby_begins_BepiColombo_s_new_trajectory #astrodon
Fourth Mercury flyby begins BepiColombo’s new trajectory
Teams from across ESA and industry have worked continuously over the past four months to overcome a glitch that prevented BepiColombo’s thrusters from operating at full power. The ESA/JAXA mission is still on track, with a new trajectory that will take it just 165 km from Mercury’s surface on Wednesday.Taking BepiColombo closer to Mercury than it’s ever been before, this flyby will reduce the spacecraft’s speed and change its direction. It also gives us the opportunity to snap images and fine-tune science instrument operations at Mercury before the main mission begins. Closest approach is scheduled for 23:48 CEST (21:48 UTC) on 4 September.
Delighted to be officially labelled a 'Space Boffin' by the Daily Star: Delighted to officially be a 'Space Boffin' according to the Daily Star: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/space-boffins-think-tiny-cows-33531515
What an honour! #astrodon
