David Blanchflower BSc
@davidbflower.bsky.social
Astronomer and Astrophotographer. Pictures of space appearing in posts, magazines and on the telly.
Reposted by David Blanchflower BSc
Happy international women and girls in science day! 🧪🔭☄️👩🏻🔬 In today's edition, I'll be meeting students, writing grants and doing associate dean-y stuff. All while consuming caffeine from my @starxiv.bsky.social podcast mug 😍
February 11, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Happy international women and girls in science day! 🧪🔭☄️👩🏻🔬 In today's edition, I'll be meeting students, writing grants and doing associate dean-y stuff. All while consuming caffeine from my @starxiv.bsky.social podcast mug 😍
Tomorrow will be exactly a year since my mother died. My sister and I will be having a meal at a place she liked. Otherwise planning a quiet day.
February 11, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Tomorrow will be exactly a year since my mother died. My sister and I will be having a meal at a place she liked. Otherwise planning a quiet day.
Diamond downpours in the outer Solar System. Astronomy Now sparkling article. Images NASA/JPL. 🔭 🧪
February 11, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Diamond downpours in the outer Solar System. Astronomy Now sparkling article. Images NASA/JPL. 🔭 🧪
Reposted by David Blanchflower BSc
Interested in applying for the ESA Graduate Trainee positions?
Join one of our info sessions:
📆 12 February 17:00 CET
📆 17 February 12:00 CET
More details here 👉 https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Apply_now_to_the_ESA_Graduate_Trainee_Programme
#ESArecruits
🔭🧪
Join one of our info sessions:
📆 12 February 17:00 CET
📆 17 February 12:00 CET
More details here 👉 https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Apply_now_to_the_ESA_Graduate_Trainee_Programme
#ESArecruits
🔭🧪
February 11, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Interested in applying for the ESA Graduate Trainee positions?
Join one of our info sessions:
📆 12 February 17:00 CET
📆 17 February 12:00 CET
More details here 👉 https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Apply_now_to_the_ESA_Graduate_Trainee_Programme
#ESArecruits
🔭🧪
Join one of our info sessions:
📆 12 February 17:00 CET
📆 17 February 12:00 CET
More details here 👉 https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Apply_now_to_the_ESA_Graduate_Trainee_Programme
#ESArecruits
🔭🧪
Rain is still pouring. No rainbow, but here's a pic of the lowest rainbow I've ever captured. Taken in 2019. 🧪 🎨 #SciArt #photography #StormHour #ThePhotoHour
February 11, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Rain is still pouring. No rainbow, but here's a pic of the lowest rainbow I've ever captured. Taken in 2019. 🧪 🎨 #SciArt #photography #StormHour #ThePhotoHour
Scottish rocket firm Orbex set to appoint administrators. Sad end. 🔭 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scottish rocket firm Orbex set to appoint administrators
Orbex, which employs about 160 people, said it has been unsuccessful in finding funds, a merger or a buyer.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Scottish rocket firm Orbex set to appoint administrators. Sad end. 🔭 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Iron Age hoard to go on public display this summer. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Melsonby Hoard: Iron Age haul to be on public display in York this summer
The Melsonby Hoard, one of the UK's largest Iron Age finds, is at the Yorkshire Museum.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Iron Age hoard to go on public display this summer. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David Blanchflower BSc
This is a real timelapse video of the Moon transiting in front of the Earth.
It was captured by the Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft in November 2022 while flying at it's furthest point from the Earth.
The video covers about 3.75 hours of real time. 🔭🧪
It was captured by the Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft in November 2022 while flying at it's furthest point from the Earth.
The video covers about 3.75 hours of real time. 🔭🧪
February 11, 2026 at 3:43 PM
This is a real timelapse video of the Moon transiting in front of the Earth.
It was captured by the Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft in November 2022 while flying at it's furthest point from the Earth.
The video covers about 3.75 hours of real time. 🔭🧪
It was captured by the Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft in November 2022 while flying at it's furthest point from the Earth.
The video covers about 3.75 hours of real time. 🔭🧪
🔭 🧪
Jupiter is smaller and more squashed than we thought, says NASA
NASA's Juno spacecraft reveals the gas giant isn't as big as we thought
www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/jupiter...
NASA's Juno spacecraft reveals the gas giant isn't as big as we thought
www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/jupiter...
Jupiter is smaller and more squashed than we thought, says NASA | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Data captured during 13 of the Juno spacecraft's flybys of Jupiter reveal the gas giant is narrower at the equator and flatter at the poles.
www.skyatnightmagazine.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:38 PM
🔭 🧪
Hmm...
Orion Nebula with multiple satellite trails from 43,000 feet.
Samyang 12mm f/2 on a Fujifilm X-E5
#Stars #AstroPhotography #EastCoastKin
Samyang 12mm f/2 on a Fujifilm X-E5
#Stars #AstroPhotography #EastCoastKin
February 11, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Hmm...
Reposted by David Blanchflower BSc
📣 Are you an RAS Fellow or Friend? 📣
We're calling on our members to help force the Government to reconsider its proposed cuts to astronomy and space science, which would be the most drastic in a generation.
Send our template letter to your MP and seek their support 👉️ ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
We're calling on our members to help force the Government to reconsider its proposed cuts to astronomy and space science, which would be the most drastic in a generation.
Send our template letter to your MP and seek their support 👉️ ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
February 11, 2026 at 11:14 AM
📣 Are you an RAS Fellow or Friend? 📣
We're calling on our members to help force the Government to reconsider its proposed cuts to astronomy and space science, which would be the most drastic in a generation.
Send our template letter to your MP and seek their support 👉️ ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
We're calling on our members to help force the Government to reconsider its proposed cuts to astronomy and space science, which would be the most drastic in a generation.
Send our template letter to your MP and seek their support 👉️ ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Reposted by David Blanchflower BSc
This group got the Moon listed on the World Monuments Fund's Watch List www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/a...
World Monuments Fund Puts Moon on List of At-Risk Sites (Published 2025)
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:42 AM
This group got the Moon listed on the World Monuments Fund's Watch List www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/a...
Tasty. 🔭 🧪
THE CLEAREST VIEW OF THE EGG NEBULA FROM HUBBLE JUST DROPPED!!!
February 11, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Tasty. 🔭 🧪
Ancient Roman altars found in Scotland to go on display. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ancient Roman alters to go on display in Edinburgh
Two Mithraic Roman altars are to be displayed as a part of an upcoming exhibition after being acquired for the nation.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Ancient Roman altars found in Scotland to go on display. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Are wetter winters and frequent flooding here to stay? 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK rain: Are wetter winters and frequent flooding here to stay?
Many places across the UK have experienced their wettest January in more than 100 years.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Are wetter winters and frequent flooding here to stay? 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Had rain, rain, and more rain overnight. Zero chance of capturing the Moon/Tau Scorpii occultation. Hoping for much better luck for next week's Moon/Saturn/Neptune close encounter. 🔭 🧪
February 11, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Had rain, rain, and more rain overnight. Zero chance of capturing the Moon/Tau Scorpii occultation. Hoping for much better luck for next week's Moon/Saturn/Neptune close encounter. 🔭 🧪
Next week Newcastle will have the ticket ballot for the Sunderland match. There will be a LOT of people trying to get tickets. So many they've had to put limits on who can apply for tickets. Must be a mags member before 21st January and must have either entered a previous ballot or bought a ticket.
February 11, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Next week Newcastle will have the ticket ballot for the Sunderland match. There will be a LOT of people trying to get tickets. So many they've had to put limits on who can apply for tickets. Must be a mags member before 21st January and must have either entered a previous ballot or bought a ticket.
Reposted by David Blanchflower BSc
Friends, can I ask you to spread the word that we have a THREE-YEAR postdoc in American history at Cambridge up for grabs - ANY field, but applications are due March 1 so don't delay - apply, apply, apply! networks.h-net.org/jobs/69790/u...
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Friends, can I ask you to spread the word that we have a THREE-YEAR postdoc in American history at Cambridge up for grabs - ANY field, but applications are due March 1 so don't delay - apply, apply, apply! networks.h-net.org/jobs/69790/u...
I'd like to wish everybody a very safe good night. Rain is pouring tonight, but you never know the Sun might come out tomorrow :)
February 10, 2026 at 9:57 PM
I'd like to wish everybody a very safe good night. Rain is pouring tonight, but you never know the Sun might come out tomorrow :)
New Moon is 1201UT on 17 February 2026. On 19th February the slivery Waxing Crescent Moon will appear close to Neptune and Saturn. Binoculars needed to see Neptune. Look west after sunset. 🔭 🧪
February 10, 2026 at 9:24 PM
New Moon is 1201UT on 17 February 2026. On 19th February the slivery Waxing Crescent Moon will appear close to Neptune and Saturn. Binoculars needed to see Neptune. Look west after sunset. 🔭 🧪
On this day in 2016 a bird was flying to the Moon. 🔭 🧪 🎨 #astrophotography #SciArt #photography #StormHour #ThePhotoHour
February 10, 2026 at 8:14 PM
On this day in 2016 a bird was flying to the Moon. 🔭 🧪 🎨 #astrophotography #SciArt #photography #StormHour #ThePhotoHour
Hill could hide Viking grave of Ivarr the Boneless. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cumbria hill could hold grave of Viking king Ivarr the Boneless
Archaeologist Steve Dickinson believes the mound could contain the 9th Century king and his ship.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Hill could hide Viking grave of Ivarr the Boneless. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tomorrow morning the Waning Crescent Moon will occult (eclipse) the star Tau Scorpii, with Antares nearby. Look south from 5.45am. 🔭 🧪
February 10, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Tomorrow morning the Waning Crescent Moon will occult (eclipse) the star Tau Scorpii, with Antares nearby. Look south from 5.45am. 🔭 🧪
Someone has sent me a DM here. Thing is I can't see it and don't know who sent it because I haven't verified my age on BlueSky.
February 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Someone has sent me a DM here. Thing is I can't see it and don't know who sent it because I haven't verified my age on BlueSky.
Reposted by David Blanchflower BSc
#εpsilon launch update: because of weather, Thursday’s launch for @soph-astro.esa.int and #Crew12 has been postponed no earlier than Friday 13 February. Liftoff is now set for 10:15 GMT/11:15 CET.
@cnes.fr @exploration.esa.int @fr.esa.int
@cnes.fr @exploration.esa.int @fr.esa.int
February 10, 2026 at 1:36 PM
#εpsilon launch update: because of weather, Thursday’s launch for @soph-astro.esa.int and #Crew12 has been postponed no earlier than Friday 13 February. Liftoff is now set for 10:15 GMT/11:15 CET.
@cnes.fr @exploration.esa.int @fr.esa.int
@cnes.fr @exploration.esa.int @fr.esa.int