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
Guy Watkins
@guywatkins.bsky.social
· Dec 17
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
🌋 Bajo el #Teide están pasando cosas.
Estas son las opciones de erupción según el IGN.
Estas son las opciones de erupción según el IGN.
Tercer enjambre sísmico en el Teide en una semana: estas son las opciones reales de una erupción inminente según el IGN
Nuevo enjambre sísmico en el Teide con cientos de microseísmos. Qué significa, qué riesgos hay y qué dicen los expertos sobre una posible erupción.
f.mtr.cool
February 19, 2026 at 4:51 PM
🌋 Bajo el #Teide están pasando cosas.
Estas son las opciones de erupción según el IGN.
Estas son las opciones de erupción según el IGN.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Can life be detected after its molecules are gone?
Using pyrolysis-GC-MS + machine learning, Robert Hazen’s team shows fragmented organics can still reveal biosignatures - extending evidence of life back >3 billion years and beyond Earth.
https://ow.ly/C4F650Y1ca2
#MassSpectrometry #Astrobiology
Using pyrolysis-GC-MS + machine learning, Robert Hazen’s team shows fragmented organics can still reveal biosignatures - extending evidence of life back >3 billion years and beyond Earth.
https://ow.ly/C4F650Y1ca2
#MassSpectrometry #Astrobiology
February 17, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Can life be detected after its molecules are gone?
Using pyrolysis-GC-MS + machine learning, Robert Hazen’s team shows fragmented organics can still reveal biosignatures - extending evidence of life back >3 billion years and beyond Earth.
https://ow.ly/C4F650Y1ca2
#MassSpectrometry #Astrobiology
Using pyrolysis-GC-MS + machine learning, Robert Hazen’s team shows fragmented organics can still reveal biosignatures - extending evidence of life back >3 billion years and beyond Earth.
https://ow.ly/C4F650Y1ca2
#MassSpectrometry #Astrobiology
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Course Correction Needed Quickly To Avoid Pathway To 'Hothouse Earth' Scenario
astrobiology.com/2026/02/cour... #Astrobiology #climatechange
astrobiology.com/2026/02/cour... #Astrobiology #climatechange
Course Correction Needed Quickly To Avoid Pathway To 'Hothouse Earth' Scenario - Astrobiology
Scientists say multiple Earth system components appear closer to destabilization than previously believed
astrobiology.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Course Correction Needed Quickly To Avoid Pathway To 'Hothouse Earth' Scenario
astrobiology.com/2026/02/cour... #Astrobiology #climatechange
astrobiology.com/2026/02/cour... #Astrobiology #climatechange
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Electronics made from certain atomically thin materials can survive harsh radiation environments up to 100 times longer than traditional silicon-based devices. This could bring significant benefits for spacecraft, which are prone to damage from cosmic radiation. 🧪⚛️🔭 physicsworld.com/a/2d-materia...
2D materials help spacecraft electronics resist radiation damage – Physics World
Transistors based on atomically thin transition-metal dichalcogenides appear particularly robust
physicsworld.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Electronics made from certain atomically thin materials can survive harsh radiation environments up to 100 times longer than traditional silicon-based devices. This could bring significant benefits for spacecraft, which are prone to damage from cosmic radiation. 🧪⚛️🔭 physicsworld.com/a/2d-materia...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
A new article in the journal Astrobiology argues that high concentrations of organics in a rock on Mars cannot presently be explained non-biologically. It's an interesting and valuable paper, but I think a bit one-sided because... science.nasa.gov/blogs/scienc...
NASA Study: Non-biologic Processes Don’t Fully Explain Mars Organics - NASA Science
In a new study, researchers say that non-biological sources they considered could not fully account for the abundance of organic compounds in a sample
science.nasa.gov
February 13, 2026 at 10:21 AM
A new article in the journal Astrobiology argues that high concentrations of organics in a rock on Mars cannot presently be explained non-biologically. It's an interesting and valuable paper, but I think a bit one-sided because... science.nasa.gov/blogs/scienc...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
CRREL Researchers Discover New Microbe Species Frozen In Alaskan Permafrost
astrobiology.com/2026/02/crre... #astrobiology #extremophile #microbiology #caves
astrobiology.com/2026/02/crre... #astrobiology #extremophile #microbiology #caves
CRREL Researchers Discover New Microbe Species Frozen In Alaskan Permafrost - Astrobiology
Research microbiologists at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL)
astrobiology.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 PM
CRREL Researchers Discover New Microbe Species Frozen In Alaskan Permafrost
astrobiology.com/2026/02/crre... #astrobiology #extremophile #microbiology #caves
astrobiology.com/2026/02/crre... #astrobiology #extremophile #microbiology #caves
Reposted by Guy Watkins
We’re bringing the Big Ear telescope archive back to life. Hundreds of original technical documents—lost to time for decades—are being digitized and will be released in 2027 for the 50th anniversary of the Wow! Signal. #AreciboWow
February 17, 2026 at 4:35 PM
We’re bringing the Big Ear telescope archive back to life. Hundreds of original technical documents—lost to time for decades—are being digitized and will be released in 2027 for the 50th anniversary of the Wow! Signal. #AreciboWow
Reposted by Guy Watkins
There is no higher honor in my little world than having my work recognized by the providers of the Martian surface data used in my carvings. The big cedar piece depicting a singular dune was chosen as their 2026 art show's theme winner! See you in Tucson!
lpl.arizona.edu/art/
#spaceart
#planetsci
lpl.arizona.edu/art/
#spaceart
#planetsci
February 15, 2026 at 7:33 PM
There is no higher honor in my little world than having my work recognized by the providers of the Martian surface data used in my carvings. The big cedar piece depicting a singular dune was chosen as their 2026 art show's theme winner! See you in Tucson!
lpl.arizona.edu/art/
#spaceart
#planetsci
lpl.arizona.edu/art/
#spaceart
#planetsci
Reposted by Guy Watkins
🌋 Nuevo enjambre sísmico en el Teide: más de 300 terremotos desde este lunes
www.eldiario.es/canariasahor...
www.eldiario.es/canariasahor...
Nuevo enjambre sísmico en el Teide: más de 300 terremotos desde este lunes
Como en ocasiones anteriores, la hipótesis más probable es que estos enjambres estén relacionados con la inyección de fluidos magmáticos en el sistema hidrotermal de la isla y no conllevan cambios en ...
www.eldiario.es
February 17, 2026 at 12:34 PM
🌋 Nuevo enjambre sísmico en el Teide: más de 300 terremotos desde este lunes
www.eldiario.es/canariasahor...
www.eldiario.es/canariasahor...
Rest In Power, Jesse Jackson
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies aged 84 - live updates
Jackson, who marched with Martin Luther King Jr in the 1960s and later ran for president twice, died peacefully on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Rest In Power, Jesse Jackson
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
‘Save the best for last 😋’, a little rocky planet discovered by our #ESACheops might think – born later than its gaseous sibling-planets, it might flip our understanding of how planets form upside down.
Our full story 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭🧪
#exoplanets
#milkyway
#planetsci
Our full story 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭🧪
#exoplanets
#milkyway
#planetsci
February 12, 2026 at 7:10 PM
‘Save the best for last 😋’, a little rocky planet discovered by our #ESACheops might think – born later than its gaseous sibling-planets, it might flip our understanding of how planets form upside down.
Our full story 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭🧪
#exoplanets
#milkyway
#planetsci
Our full story 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭🧪
#exoplanets
#milkyway
#planetsci
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Hemos tardado muy poco en olvidar que nos han dejado tirados con muchos proyectos... Un socio con el que acuerdas proyectos y luego los suspende unilateralmente no es fiable. Y si en pocos meses los abrazamos de nuevo... Volverá a dejarnos tirados. Colaboración si, humillación no. 🫤
February 12, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Hemos tardado muy poco en olvidar que nos han dejado tirados con muchos proyectos... Un socio con el que acuerdas proyectos y luego los suspende unilateralmente no es fiable. Y si en pocos meses los abrazamos de nuevo... Volverá a dejarnos tirados. Colaboración si, humillación no. 🫤
The "Man" Who Sold the World.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Analysis: Trump takes victory lap after biggest climate rollback yet
The move marks the culmination of a decade-long push by the president to tear up climate policies he argues stifle industry.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 4:54 AM
The "Man" Who Sold the World.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Soon, we may be able to deflect asteroids on collision courses with Earth. In this podcast, aerospace engineer Rahil Makadia explains how deflected asteroids could return to Earth. 🧪⚛️ ow.ly/YbqO50YenRc
Asteroid deflection: why we need to get it right the first time – Physics World
Aerospace engineer Rahil Makadia on the danger of asteroid “keyholes”
ow.ly
February 12, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Soon, we may be able to deflect asteroids on collision courses with Earth. In this podcast, aerospace engineer Rahil Makadia explains how deflected asteroids could return to Earth. 🧪⚛️ ow.ly/YbqO50YenRc
Reposted by Guy Watkins
🚨 New Publication Alert🚨
The Philosophical Transactions A issue “Planetary protection for sustainable space exploration” available online now!
👉 buff.ly/lQvjfyo
The Philosophical Transactions A issue “Planetary protection for sustainable space exploration” available online now!
👉 buff.ly/lQvjfyo
February 12, 2026 at 12:52 PM
🚨 New Publication Alert🚨
The Philosophical Transactions A issue “Planetary protection for sustainable space exploration” available online now!
👉 buff.ly/lQvjfyo
The Philosophical Transactions A issue “Planetary protection for sustainable space exploration” available online now!
👉 buff.ly/lQvjfyo
OMG, Trump - ironically through the EPA - has now reversed protections on things like greenhouse gas emissions, thus helping to further assist global warming and kill us all, faster.
February 12, 2026 at 6:50 PM
OMG, Trump - ironically through the EPA - has now reversed protections on things like greenhouse gas emissions, thus helping to further assist global warming and kill us all, faster.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Astronomers: highly recommend this thoughtful opinion piece by @hogg.bsky.social on how to think about our field in light of the development of large language models. whether you agree with him or not it’s vital to discuss the principles behind our science. 🔭 arxiv.org/abs/2602.10181
Why do we do astrophysics?
At time of writing, large language models (LLMs) are beginning to obtain the ability to design, execute, write up, and referee scientific projects on the data-science side of astrophysics. What implic...
arxiv.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Astronomers: highly recommend this thoughtful opinion piece by @hogg.bsky.social on how to think about our field in light of the development of large language models. whether you agree with him or not it’s vital to discuss the principles behind our science. 🔭 arxiv.org/abs/2602.10181
Reposted by Guy Watkins
I have many concerns, especially in regards to LLMs and gen-AI tendency to hallucinate perfectly valid-looking but non-existing data. But a small voice in the back of my head is also going "data-science is NOT why I became an astronomer" and which would welcome a greater focus on observing.
February 12, 2026 at 10:56 AM
I have many concerns, especially in regards to LLMs and gen-AI tendency to hallucinate perfectly valid-looking but non-existing data. But a small voice in the back of my head is also going "data-science is NOT why I became an astronomer" and which would welcome a greater focus on observing.
This is a real shame: Scottish rocket firm Orbex set to appoint administrators.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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 10:47 PM
This is a real shame: Scottish rocket firm Orbex set to appoint administrators.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
At this point I'm wondering why I even built an Observatory? 😭🔭🧪
February 11, 2026 at 7:11 AM
At this point I'm wondering why I even built an Observatory? 😭🔭🧪
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Reposted by Guy Watkins
How do you track space debris as it makes its fiery descent through the Earth’s atmosphere? Geophysicists have come up with an intriguing new answer: use a network of earthquake sensors to follow the shock waves the debris creates. 🧪⚛️🔭 physicsworld.com/a/earthquake...
Earthquake-sensing network detects space debris as it falls to Earth – Physics World
Proof-of-principle experiment resolved the shock waves produced by the Shenzhou-15 module when it re-entered the atmosphere
physicsworld.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:31 PM
How do you track space debris as it makes its fiery descent through the Earth’s atmosphere? Geophysicists have come up with an intriguing new answer: use a network of earthquake sensors to follow the shock waves the debris creates. 🧪⚛️🔭 physicsworld.com/a/earthquake...
"Anniversary" is a great - if unsubtle - allegory of the Western Populist, Trumpian neo-fascist Project 2025. It's all the more scary because its dystopia is already happening in the US and Europe.
www.netflix.com/gb/title/826...
www.netflix.com/gb/title/826...
Watch Anniversary | Netflix
After meeting their son's aloof, ambitious new girlfriend, a couple watches their family fall apart as her extreme political project sweeps the nation.
www.netflix.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:08 PM
"Anniversary" is a great - if unsubtle - allegory of the Western Populist, Trumpian neo-fascist Project 2025. It's all the more scary because its dystopia is already happening in the US and Europe.
www.netflix.com/gb/title/826...
www.netflix.com/gb/title/826...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
![Comic. [Person with ponytail pointing to diagram on wall as she talks to two other people, one with short hair.] PERSON 1: The high carbon content of the skeleton indicates that the individual lived less than 12.6 billion years ago, after the first round of stellar nucleosynthesis. [caption] Cosmologist carbon dating](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiaaaa2fduedn5fusan4xvikaehxgps2yxdlv7vb3j7ep323zta2u4@jpeg)
February 10, 2026 at 7:43 PM