Guy Watkins
@guywatkins.bsky.social
Studying MPhys Astrophysics with Space Science at The Open University. Aspiring astrobiologist/planetary scientist. FRAS. BSc (Hons) Computing, CertHE Natural Sciences. http://guywatkins.space
Pinned
I'm doing the Gower 50km Ultra for The Brain Tumour Charity! This links to my ongoing original campaign for the same charity to stay sober for 9 months. This time I am looking to raise a minimum of £500.
Details of this new challenge with links is here: www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
Details of this new challenge with links is here: www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Tonights transit is WASP-10b, got the full data set now, pleased again with this, lines up well with predictions, slighty deeper transit depth at 31ppt instead of 25ppt, but the timing and duration are bob on almost. Imaged from my backyard :) #astronomy #exoplanet
January 3, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Tonights transit is WASP-10b, got the full data set now, pleased again with this, lines up well with predictions, slighty deeper transit depth at 31ppt instead of 25ppt, but the timing and duration are bob on almost. Imaged from my backyard :) #astronomy #exoplanet
I wanted to buy some merchandise from Germany totalling €40, but shipping to the UK cost €30, so it isn't economically viable. This is primarily due to the British act of economic suicide aka Brexit.
I look forward to the UK re-entering the EU in future. Make it so! 🇪🇺
I look forward to the UK re-entering the EU in future. Make it so! 🇪🇺
January 3, 2026 at 7:17 AM
I wanted to buy some merchandise from Germany totalling €40, but shipping to the UK cost €30, so it isn't economically viable. This is primarily due to the British act of economic suicide aka Brexit.
I look forward to the UK re-entering the EU in future. Make it so! 🇪🇺
I look forward to the UK re-entering the EU in future. Make it so! 🇪🇺
He is 13 today. A teenager in cat terms, but in human years, he's retired and aged 68. share.google/H0ZOsAYHvZpT...
Happy New Year, and happy birthday! Every day is #Caturday 🐈🐾🐾
Happy New Year, and happy birthday! Every day is #Caturday 🐈🐾🐾
January 1, 2026 at 5:40 AM
He is 13 today. A teenager in cat terms, but in human years, he's retired and aged 68. share.google/H0ZOsAYHvZpT...
Happy New Year, and happy birthday! Every day is #Caturday 🐈🐾🐾
Happy New Year, and happy birthday! Every day is #Caturday 🐈🐾🐾
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Wishing everyone clear skies and bright stars in the new year! Here's Sirius, the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
December 31, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Wishing everyone clear skies and bright stars in the new year! Here's Sirius, the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Tonight I decided to try something new. I managed to detect Exoplanet TOI 3714b transiting its host star using my 190MN scope and 2600MM camera. Totally blown away that this is possble from my back yard here in the UK. Transit took 1H 38mins and was about 5% in depth 🤯. #Astrophotography #exoplanet
December 26, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Tonight I decided to try something new. I managed to detect Exoplanet TOI 3714b transiting its host star using my 190MN scope and 2600MM camera. Totally blown away that this is possble from my back yard here in the UK. Transit took 1H 38mins and was about 5% in depth 🤯. #Astrophotography #exoplanet
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Yes, my wedding has a website
Yes, I have also included modelling of the expected temperature on the day
Yes, I did this by fitting a Bayesian model to 45 years of temperature data
Yes, the wedding website has an easter egg with a little link to find a writeup of how I got the numbers
Yes, I have also included modelling of the expected temperature on the day
Yes, I did this by fitting a Bayesian model to 45 years of temperature data
Yes, the wedding website has an easter egg with a little link to find a writeup of how I got the numbers
December 29, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Yes, my wedding has a website
Yes, I have also included modelling of the expected temperature on the day
Yes, I did this by fitting a Bayesian model to 45 years of temperature data
Yes, the wedding website has an easter egg with a little link to find a writeup of how I got the numbers
Yes, I have also included modelling of the expected temperature on the day
Yes, I did this by fitting a Bayesian model to 45 years of temperature data
Yes, the wedding website has an easter egg with a little link to find a writeup of how I got the numbers
Reposted by Guy Watkins
#OTD: 25 December 2003, ESA's Mars Express entered orbit around the ‘Red Planet’, the first European spacecraft to do so, after a journey lasting 205 days and covering 400 million km 🧪🔭
👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@esa.int @sci.esa.int @operations.esa.int
👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@esa.int @sci.esa.int @operations.esa.int
December 26, 2025 at 9:52 AM
#OTD: 25 December 2003, ESA's Mars Express entered orbit around the ‘Red Planet’, the first European spacecraft to do so, after a journey lasting 205 days and covering 400 million km 🧪🔭
👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@esa.int @sci.esa.int @operations.esa.int
👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@esa.int @sci.esa.int @operations.esa.int
My watched "Christmas" films have so far been:
• Die Hard
• Se7en
Later options include:
• The Holdovers
• The Family Stone
• Krampus
• The Snowman
• Bad Santa
• Die Hard
• Se7en
Later options include:
• The Holdovers
• The Family Stone
• Krampus
• The Snowman
• Bad Santa
December 25, 2025 at 5:09 AM
My watched "Christmas" films have so far been:
• Die Hard
• Se7en
Later options include:
• The Holdovers
• The Family Stone
• Krampus
• The Snowman
• Bad Santa
• Die Hard
• Se7en
Later options include:
• The Holdovers
• The Family Stone
• Krampus
• The Snowman
• Bad Santa
Reposted by Guy Watkins
NASA's MAVEN spacecraft is in trouble, and Mars might be to blame. 🛰️🧪
After passing behind the Red Planet on its routine orbit, MAVEN reemerged, spinning wildly and unable to communicate with Earth. Scientists suspect a possible collision with space debris, but the exact cause is still unknown.
After passing behind the Red Planet on its routine orbit, MAVEN reemerged, spinning wildly and unable to communicate with Earth. Scientists suspect a possible collision with space debris, but the exact cause is still unknown.
December 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
NASA's MAVEN spacecraft is in trouble, and Mars might be to blame. 🛰️🧪
After passing behind the Red Planet on its routine orbit, MAVEN reemerged, spinning wildly and unable to communicate with Earth. Scientists suspect a possible collision with space debris, but the exact cause is still unknown.
After passing behind the Red Planet on its routine orbit, MAVEN reemerged, spinning wildly and unable to communicate with Earth. Scientists suspect a possible collision with space debris, but the exact cause is still unknown.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
This paper provides an overview of water availability on Mars, and compares water harvesting from the atmosphere to obtaining water from the regolith.
🧪 🔭 #PlanetSci @cospar.bsky.social
🧪 🔭 #PlanetSci @cospar.bsky.social
Martian Aqua: Occurrence of Water and Appraisal of Acquisition Technologies
The production of water through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) will be necessary for a sustainable human presence on Mars. Accessible water on Ma…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:07 AM
This paper provides an overview of water availability on Mars, and compares water harvesting from the atmosphere to obtaining water from the regolith.
🧪 🔭 #PlanetSci @cospar.bsky.social
🧪 🔭 #PlanetSci @cospar.bsky.social
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Yesterday, we had our last planning day with Curiosity for almost a month before she takes an extended holiday behind the sun
science.nasa.gov/blog/curiosi...
#PlanetaryScience
science.nasa.gov/blog/curiosi...
#PlanetaryScience
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4750-4762: See You on the Other Side of the Sun - NASA Science
Written by Lucy Thompson, Planetary Scientist and APXS team member, University of New Brunswick, Canada
science.nasa.gov
December 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Yesterday, we had our last planning day with Curiosity for almost a month before she takes an extended holiday behind the sun
science.nasa.gov/blog/curiosi...
#PlanetaryScience
science.nasa.gov/blog/curiosi...
#PlanetaryScience
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Optical SETI At ESO In The 2040s
astrobiology.com/2025/12/opti... #astrobiology #SETI #technosignature #astronomy
astrobiology.com/2025/12/opti... #astrobiology #SETI #technosignature #astronomy
Optical SETI At ESO In The 2040s - Astrobiology
The searches for other life and for intelligence are fundamental problems that science faces today.
astrobiology.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Optical SETI At ESO In The 2040s
astrobiology.com/2025/12/opti... #astrobiology #SETI #technosignature #astronomy
astrobiology.com/2025/12/opti... #astrobiology #SETI #technosignature #astronomy
Who remembers "The Surfer's Path" (ceased 2024) magazine? A soulful alternative to the more corporate mags.
December 24, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Who remembers "The Surfer's Path" (ceased 2024) magazine? A soulful alternative to the more corporate mags.
Owain Huw Wright "Oz" was killed by a drunk driver exactly 20 years ago today.
Rest in Peace. share.google/l6pQAzZO7dBC...
Rest in Peace. share.google/l6pQAzZO7dBC...
December 23, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Owain Huw Wright "Oz" was killed by a drunk driver exactly 20 years ago today.
Rest in Peace. share.google/l6pQAzZO7dBC...
Rest in Peace. share.google/l6pQAzZO7dBC...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Detection Of The Deep Biosphere In Metamorphic Rocks From The Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling
astrobiology.com/2025/12/dete... #astrobiology #extremophile
astrobiology.com/2025/12/dete... #astrobiology #extremophile
Detection Of The Deep Biosphere In Metamorphic Rocks From The Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling - Astrobiology
It is generally accepted that there is a vast, well-populated biosphere in the subsurface,
astrobiology.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Detection Of The Deep Biosphere In Metamorphic Rocks From The Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling
astrobiology.com/2025/12/dete... #astrobiology #extremophile
astrobiology.com/2025/12/dete... #astrobiology #extremophile
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Happy solstice! 🌍❄️ Today (Dec 21) at 16:03 (CET or UTC+1) winter officially begins. Shortest day of the year, but your noon shadow will be the longest. From now on, days slowly start getting longer again. Animation by NAAP labs (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) 🧪⚛️🔭#astronomy
December 21, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Happy solstice! 🌍❄️ Today (Dec 21) at 16:03 (CET or UTC+1) winter officially begins. Shortest day of the year, but your noon shadow will be the longest. From now on, days slowly start getting longer again. Animation by NAAP labs (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) 🧪⚛️🔭#astronomy
ABS rap. "What's your favourite hydrocarbon?" 😂
www.instagram.com/reel/DSFIbCR...
www.instagram.com/reel/DSFIbCR...
MC Hammersmith on Instagram: "Improv rap about the front row! 🏭🧪
Recorded live @monkey.barrel.comedy
Come to one of my live freestyle rap comedy shows, touring the UK March-June 2026! Ticket link ...
123K likes, 474 comments - mc_hammersmith on December 10, 2025: "Improv rap about the front row! 🏭🧪
Recorded live @monkey.barrel.comedy
Come to one of my live freestyle rap comedy shows, touring t...
www.instagram.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:27 AM
ABS rap. "What's your favourite hydrocarbon?" 😂
www.instagram.com/reel/DSFIbCR...
www.instagram.com/reel/DSFIbCR...
It's all hyperbolics.
I guess there will be a tear in Avi's eye.
I guess there will be a tear in Avi's eye.
Today is the day when interstellar comet 31/Atlas passes within 170 million miles of Earth on its journey through our solar system, never to return. Hail and farewell, traveller.
December 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
It's all hyperbolics.
I guess there will be a tear in Avi's eye.
I guess there will be a tear in Avi's eye.
I'm doing the Gower 50km Ultra for The Brain Tumour Charity! This links to my ongoing original campaign for the same charity to stay sober for 9 months. This time I am looking to raise a minimum of £500.
Details of this new challenge with links is here: www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
Details of this new challenge with links is here: www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
December 17, 2025 at 7:48 AM
I'm doing the Gower 50km Ultra for The Brain Tumour Charity! This links to my ongoing original campaign for the same charity to stay sober for 9 months. This time I am looking to raise a minimum of £500.
Details of this new challenge with links is here: www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
Details of this new challenge with links is here: www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
This is excellent news: Erasmus scheme to return for UK students.
Now, complete the circle by rejoining the EU, and let's forget about that awful Brexit business.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Now, complete the circle by rejoining the EU, and let's forget about that awful Brexit business.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Erasmus scheme to return for UK students, BBC understands
The UK ended its participation in the scheme in 2020 after agreeing a Brexit deal with the EU.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 10:49 PM
This is excellent news: Erasmus scheme to return for UK students.
Now, complete the circle by rejoining the EU, and let's forget about that awful Brexit business.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Now, complete the circle by rejoining the EU, and let's forget about that awful Brexit business.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Great news! We have just raised over £2000 (£2,425 including Gift Aid). My deepest thanks to all who have so generously donated their money to this worthy cause.
I am considering building on this - whilst still maintaining my sobriety - by doing a 50km Ultra next year. Details to be announced 😀
I am considering building on this - whilst still maintaining my sobriety - by doing a 50km Ultra next year. Details to be announced 😀
In solidarity with a friend who started a 9-month course of chemotherapy for brain cancer yesterday (24/10/2025), I'm going sober for the same period. Only 273 days to go! (Ends: Friday 24/07/2026).
I'm hoping to raise £1000 for @braintumourcharity.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
I'm hoping to raise £1000 for @braintumourcharity.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/guy-wat...
Guy's fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity
Help Guy Watkins raise money to support The Brain Tumour Charity
www.justgiving.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Great news! We have just raised over £2000 (£2,425 including Gift Aid). My deepest thanks to all who have so generously donated their money to this worthy cause.
I am considering building on this - whilst still maintaining my sobriety - by doing a 50km Ultra next year. Details to be announced 😀
I am considering building on this - whilst still maintaining my sobriety - by doing a 50km Ultra next year. Details to be announced 😀
Happy Caturday! 🐈🎄
December 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Happy Caturday! 🐈🎄
Reposted by Guy Watkins
#NASAWebb has detected a thick blanket of gas surrounding the distant lava world TOI-561 b, challenging the idea that small planets so close to their stars are not able to sustain atmospheres: https://bit.ly/3MvZQRQ 🔭 🧪
December 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
#NASAWebb has detected a thick blanket of gas surrounding the distant lava world TOI-561 b, challenging the idea that small planets so close to their stars are not able to sustain atmospheres: https://bit.ly/3MvZQRQ 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Guy Watkins
What a terrible time to be a good person
December 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
What a terrible time to be a good person
Reposted by Guy Watkins
This is terrible timing because we're about to enter solar conjunction (sun between Earth and Mars) in a couple of weeks when we lose comms completely. Good luck to the DSN and MAVEN teams on reestablishing contact before then.
December 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
This is terrible timing because we're about to enter solar conjunction (sun between Earth and Mars) in a couple of weeks when we lose comms completely. Good luck to the DSN and MAVEN teams on reestablishing contact before then.