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astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans
@astroroyalscot.bsky.social
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor of Astrophysics, Edinburgh University. Director of the German Centre for Cosmological Lensing, RUB. @astronomerroyal on insta (She/her)
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astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · Oct 17
Lovely to wake up to so many new arrivals 🤗 It takes a bit of effort to collate your timeline & find your feeds, but it's 💯worth it!

As a welcome, here is my favourite pic of the May24 #Aurora on Portobello beach #Edinburgh, where I live with my 2 sons, 2 cats & partner (eldest child is at Uni).🔭
It's night and we're looking out over the sea to sparkly lights on the far shore. Up in the sky are curtains of colour, pinks, greens and reds (the aurora) and some stary dots in the sky.
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Let me recommend grabbing a cup of tea & reading this really thoughtful piece from the inimitable @hogg.bsky.social on moderating AI/LLM use in astrophysics. 🔭

"the real question we face is not ... how we do astrophysics. It is the question of why we do astrophysics."

📖: arxiv.org/pdf/2602.10181
A screenshot of text from a paper that reads: One idea or rule of thumb is perhaps that we should or could interact with an LLM only in the same ways that we would interact with a non-coauthor colleague. You might ask your colleague for help finding something in the literature, but you wouldn’t ask your non-coauthor colleague to write the introduction of the paper you are writing. You might ask your colleague to help speed up your code, but you wouldn’t ask your colleague to write your code. Another idea is that, given our respect for our readers, we shouldn’t ask them to engage with something that took way less time to write than to read. I like these ideas; maybe they could evolve into conventions or community-supported best practices.
February 12, 2026 at 11:19 AM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Calling #Edinburgh Higgs Boson fans - there are only a few tickets left for the 2026 Higgs Lecture which will be delivered this year by the wonderful Fabiola Gianotti (and you get to see Higgs' Nobel Medal afterwards).

March 23rd 🎟️: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-higgs-...
The Higgs Lecture 2026: Fabiola Gianotti (Former Director General of CERN). There is a picture of Fabiola looking pristine leaning on some tarnished pipes with tech blurred in the background - cool :)
February 10, 2026 at 4:33 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Well this truly is the end of things: NO HULA HOOPS? Will there be panic buying .... should I go right now and stock up.....
February 10, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans
kenrice.bsky.social
I wrote something .... andthentheresphysics.wordpress.com/2026/02/08/s...
STFC funding crisis ….. again!
When I first came to work in the UK, Astronomy research was mostly funded through the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC). In 2007, PPARC was merged with the Council for the Cen…
andthentheresphysics.wordpress.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:36 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
If you've got pre-teens in your lives, check out the Feb #Alien edition of Aquila, with #comic artist Edward Ross & me. We visit #K2-18b, aka "The Planet of the Plankton", to see how #JWST detects chemicals on distant planets, & show that sensational science reporting isn't always to be believed.🔭🧪
A cartoon image of a man with a newspaper which has the headline "Planet of the Plankton" He's saying "But the newspapers said...." She's saying "Don't believe everything you read" A cartoon "Here's the actual science" It shows starlight passing through K2-18b's atmosphere, and reaching JWST, the world's biggest telescope which sees that the light has some parts missing. The missing parts allow scientists to work out what chemicals might be present on K2-18b The man is looking despondent "Well this throws my holiday plans completely out of whack" The woman says "You might wait until we have more evidence - there's always Bognor Regis Larry"
February 8, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans
chrislintott.bsky.social
Listeners to Radio 4’s Inside Science today get an essay from me in defence of astronomy as pure research. Please listen in and let me know what you think.

Show starts 4.30pm GMT here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 4 - BBC Inside Science
A weekly programme looking at the science that's changing our world.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 2:07 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Thanks to @iansample.bsky.social at the Guardian for covering the devastating funding cuts that are being proposed for UK (astro)physics, and the dire impact these would have on young researchers. Will UKRI/STFC reconsider? Will the UKGov step in?🤞👩‍🔬🧪⚛️🔭

www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
February 7, 2026 at 8:08 AM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
🔊 Calling UK early career researches in astro, particle & nuclear physics. Please sign this open response to the proposed cuts at STFC ⚛️🧪🔭

"Protecting the UK's reputation as a science superpower requires not only investment, but continuity, confidence, and people"

✍️ ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
cplberry.bsky.social Christopher Berry @cplberry.bsky.social · 9d
An excellent open-letter enumerating the dangers to early career researchers and then wider society of proposed changes to UK science funding

ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io

Early-career researchers may like to add their signatures

🧪⚛️🔭 #AcademicSky #UKpol
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 6, 2026 at 10:25 AM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Popcorn at the ready: the UKGov Science, Innovation & Technology Committee is about to quiz Sir Ian Chapman about UKRI’s new strategic objectives.

Will they ask him about the devastating cuts planned for UK astronomy? Let's hope so. 🔭🧪

📺 Watch live from 9:30am: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
February 3, 2026 at 9:19 AM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Fuming 😡

Teacher: "you can usually tell the girls that want to do physics, they look a bit tomboy-ish"

#WomenInSTEM #ASPIRES3 @iop.org
“My physics teacher said something about this as well which really annoyed me. I don’t think … but she said … she was at parents evening and she said ‘Why not physics?’ and I was like ‘I just don’t find it as interesting’ and then she said ‘Oh yeah you can usually tell the girls that want to do physics, they look a bit tomboy-ish’ and then she could see my parents’ faces and me I was like … and she’s like ‘Oh you’re not tomboyish’ and then she tried to change it. But like the fact that she has that opinion. And this physics teacher… I don’t know I think I just … it shouldn’t be like that at all” (Poppy, Y11).
January 28, 2026 at 5:38 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
The new #ASPIRES3 Physics report is difficult reading.
Physics:
* remains male-dominated (24% fem) & privileged
* aspirations decline from the start to end of school 😔
* is considered the least interesting, most difficult science 😭
* is for brainy "geeks" 😮‍💨
Lots of useful recommendations though🎢🧪👩‍🔬⚛️
Front cover of the ASPIRES3 Physics report. A simple atom-style logo. Text: Young People's STEM trajectories Age 10-22
January 28, 2026 at 4:49 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Perks of the job: sneak previews of awesome books! @dreochapman.bsky.social has outdone herself with Radio Universe - a truly joyful & eloquent tour of the Universe through the 'eyes' of the oft-neglected but nevertheless remarkable radio telescopes of the world. Warmly recommended - out in March!🔭
Radio Universe: How to explore space, without leaving Earth by Emma Chaptman. A shiny technicolour book cover with planets, stars and dotted circular radio waves.
January 26, 2026 at 1:22 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
"It is the moon, I ken her horn,
That's blinkin' in the lift sae hie;
She shines sae bright to wyle us hame,
But, by my sooth, she'll wait a wee!"

Lots of despair & sadness watching the 🇺🇸news today.
I'm hoping Burns can lift your spirit today.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Happy #BurnsNight🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
📷@tomduffinphotos.bsky.social
A crescent moon shining above Edinburgh castle, that is lit up with floodlights. In the foreground the dark outline of Arthurs Seat, the mountain in the middle of Edinburgh city. In the background, whispy clouds and the distant mountains of Fife. Credit: https://www.tomduffin.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:08 AM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Eldest child "made an insta reel" 🫣
#BraidwoodTelescope 🔭
January 24, 2026 at 4:53 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
#GoodNewsStory with a victory for equality! The girls team winners of the #Edinburgh Schools Football Cup have now been presented with a proper trophy to celebrate their success! So proud of the S Morningside team for calling out the Schools Sports Association! 🥳
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Girls football team win tiny plastic cup as boys take home full-size trophy
The cup paled into comparison to the grand old trophy presented to the winning boys football team.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 7:50 AM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Frogston Primary totally lucked out on their first night away at 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Lagganlia outdoor centre: clear skies and #aurora! Just as well we told them all about sun-spew in last week's planetarium show! Super proud of our P7 trained-astronomers who braved -2℃ to take these fantastic space photos. #SYTN 🤗🥳🔭🧪
The majestic Orion Nebula. Pink fluff and stars. peachy gas in the bubble nebula a satelite photobombs the seven sister stars which are blue surrounded in a haze of gas Red and green northern lights about the Lagganlia camp. This photo was taken by Gracemount Primary who are also visiting Lagganlia this week.
January 20, 2026 at 6:39 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Just off the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿radio after a lovely #Artemis-II return to the moon chat with @ollopa11.bsky.social! Leo taught me that the Orion capsule is the first moon-mission with a toilet-cubicle on board! The 1970s Apollo astronauts were afforded no such dignity😳 🛰️
ℹ️: www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/artemis...
From what they'll eat to how they'll poop. Inside the Artemis II crew's mission to the Moon | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
What life will be like for the Artemis II crew, from sleeping and eating to exercising, keeping clean and going to the toilet.
www.skyatnightmagazine.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:16 AM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
🥳 The clouds have cleared! Balgreen Primary expertly using their Dynamic Earth astronomy training to take these awesome images on their residential at Lagganlia outdoor education centre in the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Cairngorms. So proud of these P7's who braved the baltic snowy night for science! 💪 🔭 #SYTN
A massive swirly galaxy (Andromeda), star studded in space. Text: Seestar S50 M31 This is known as the pacman nebula because it looks like a pacman about to chomp on something. It's a pink-puff in space. The fishhead nebula - I think it looks more like dragon head.
January 15, 2026 at 6:33 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Brilliant reaction to the Dynamic Earth Planetarium-on-tour experience from a P7 pupil at Frogston Primary this morning 😍

"It felt like I was floating in space" #scicomm

@notverymedieval.bsky.social @spacedoot.bsky.social
Happy Learning- a cartoon blob jumping for joy, next to a similar drawing that says "It was fun and cool it felt like I was floating in space"
January 13, 2026 at 6:27 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
🥳 Major milestone for the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scottish Dark Sky Observatory: architectural designs are now public and isn't she a beauty! Two 5m 🔭domes, observing deck, solar-panelled planetarium, exhibition area & cafe.
Fingers crossed that planning permission gets approved!
ℹ️: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📷: arpl
An architectural model of the new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, complete with mini trees, two large domes, mini people on the observing deck and a solar-panelled roof over the new planetarium. By arpl architects An architectural design for an observatory with two domes and buildings. The mountain outline can be seen in the background. By arpl architects An architectural design for an observatory, now from the other direction, with two domes and buildings. The mountain outline can be seen in the background. By arpl architects
January 11, 2026 at 9:51 AM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
OK #exoplanet friends, is it super-jupiter or super-Jupiter? I'm thinking much like we have the Galaxy (Milky Way), and galaxies (the rest), big exoplanets should be super-jupiters: there is Jupiter, unique in our solar system, and then other jupiters and super-jupiters around other stars? 🤔
January 10, 2026 at 12:25 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Did I mention how much I love planetaria? That immersive experience is unbeatable! Here's the Dynamic Earth team @notverymedieval.bsky.social and @spacedoot.bsky.social in action at Balgreen Primary.
The green lights of the aurora across the top of the planetarium dome, students looking attentively at the presenter. Cartoon constellations on show in the dome Catherine, arms out-stretched (as always) getting overly-excited about Andromeda (which is on the screen behind her) - the class look on.
January 8, 2026 at 5:13 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
A fab morning of space exploration at Balgreen Primary today, with the Dynamic Earth Planetarium team. We're using colour-in mood characters to collect feedback from the class and I love this response so much that I just had to share it. "Jumping out of Joy!"😍 #scicomm 🔭
Handwritten: I chose that one because I learnt sooo much information that I feel like my brains have been blown out. Jumping out of joy! Cartoon of a happy blob character flying up in the air with a delighted excited mind-blown look on their face.
January 8, 2026 at 4:27 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
A splendid cold walk to Fiddlers Gill to see the fab but rusting Victorian #Braidwood Telescope! Once part of the now long-gone Lanark Observatory, its optics are safe at the Lanark Museum. Sadly I see no hope in restoring this beauty tho, that's been long-abandoned in this field ☹️ #histsci 🔭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Catherine (tall, long blonde hair) standing in a wintery field by a large old rusting telescope. The golden setting sun is illuminating the trees in the distance.
January 4, 2026 at 12:32 PM
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Looking for diversion from the wtaf-ness of the news? I have a stargazing challenge for you👇
Just completed it myself on Portobello Beach: got overly excited by the beauty of it all & accidentally accosted a group of French photo-taking tourists to tell them all about it
"C'est vraiment Jupiter?"🤩 🔭
astroroyalscot.bsky.social Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · Jan 3
I have a Wolf supermoon stargazing challenge for you tonight (Jan3rd, weather Gods willing). Raise your arm to the moon to find Jupiter which is ~2-fingers below it to the right. The Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux are ~3-fingers to the left.

This is your last #supermoon until Nov - enjoy! 🔭🧪
January 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM