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's fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity
Help Guy Watkins raise money to support The Brain Tumour Charity
www.justgiving.com
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...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Key antenna in NASA’s Deep Space Network damaged
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
Key antenna in NASA’s Deep Space Network damaged
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
spacenews.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Key antenna in NASA’s Deep Space Network damaged
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
🌊 Why launch another sea-level satellite? To build resilience, we need to know how sea level is changing, and why.
Satellites such as #Copernicus Sentinel-6B, set to launch on 17 November, are helping us uncover what’s driving sea-level change.
www.esa.int/Applications...
Satellites such as #Copernicus Sentinel-6B, set to launch on 17 November, are helping us uncover what’s driving sea-level change.
www.esa.int/Applications...
November 11, 2025 at 10:09 AM
🌊 Why launch another sea-level satellite? To build resilience, we need to know how sea level is changing, and why.
Satellites such as #Copernicus Sentinel-6B, set to launch on 17 November, are helping us uncover what’s driving sea-level change.
www.esa.int/Applications...
Satellites such as #Copernicus Sentinel-6B, set to launch on 17 November, are helping us uncover what’s driving sea-level change.
www.esa.int/Applications...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Yes, it is.
No thanks.
No thanks.
![Screenshot from a website saying, "[It] Looks like your ad blocker is on."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5dnnvwti3vi34zgpjv7uyyc3/bafkreifnqpoufdyiiynhju5hox3ogxf6fvztzef2rudow2ijvouriotdtu@jpeg)
November 11, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Yes, it is.
No thanks.
No thanks.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
November 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Reposted by Guy Watkins
This is particularly sad as Lowell has long been a centre for Solar System planetary astronomy, a rare field internationally 🔭
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
Lowell Observatory slashes research funding in the midst of financial struggle
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory plans to cut nearly all its research funding and reduce the number of paid science staff to just two positions next year.
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 6:53 AM
This is particularly sad as Lowell has long been a centre for Solar System planetary astronomy, a rare field internationally 🔭
Durham University designing camera to search for alien life to be installed on the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) @durham.ac.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Durham University designing camera to search for alien life
Durham University is working with a UK team to develop a camera that can examine Earth-like planets.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Durham University designing camera to search for alien life to be installed on the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) @durham.ac.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
I like this piece a lot about Rosalind Franklin’s role in solving the structure of DNA. It really respects her as a full scientist - what she saw, what she didn’t appreciate, what could have been if she’d had true peers to support her, or had not died so young.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:00 AM
I like this piece a lot about Rosalind Franklin’s role in solving the structure of DNA. It really respects her as a full scientist - what she saw, what she didn’t appreciate, what could have been if she’d had true peers to support her, or had not died so young.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Do space environments have value? If we find life on Mars, what are our responsibilities?
Our own Dr Emma Purenen discusses these and more questions about Astrobiology Ethics in our latest video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxO...
#worldspaceweek #WSW2025 #SpaceEthics
Our own Dr Emma Purenen discusses these and more questions about Astrobiology Ethics in our latest video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxO...
#worldspaceweek #WSW2025 #SpaceEthics
November 7, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Do space environments have value? If we find life on Mars, what are our responsibilities?
Our own Dr Emma Purenen discusses these and more questions about Astrobiology Ethics in our latest video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxO...
#worldspaceweek #WSW2025 #SpaceEthics
Our own Dr Emma Purenen discusses these and more questions about Astrobiology Ethics in our latest video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxO...
#worldspaceweek #WSW2025 #SpaceEthics
What a letdown 😞
UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests
UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests
Decision is bitter blow to Brazil ahead of fund’s launch at Cop30 – and an embarrassment to Prince William
The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit.
Keir Starmer flew to Belém, at the mouth of the Amazon, on Wednesday to join the summit of world leaders hosted by Brazil’s president, Lula da Silva. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:55 PM
What a letdown 😞
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Antarctica – Domain One. Search for waves in the frozen south. Premiering this weekend at London Surf Film Festival... more here > tinyurl.com/338ujb8w
Antarctica – Domain One - Carvemag.com
Eploring the frozen south.
tinyurl.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Antarctica – Domain One. Search for waves in the frozen south. Premiering this weekend at London Surf Film Festival... more here > tinyurl.com/338ujb8w
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Open Sesame!
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
November 3, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Open Sesame!
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Observation requests for M35, M37 and M15 submitted to the @openuniversity.bsky.social telescope team who run PIRATE out in Tenerife.
Now the waiting begins…
#astronomy #space #photometry
Now the waiting begins…
#astronomy #space #photometry
November 3, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Observation requests for M35, M37 and M15 submitted to the @openuniversity.bsky.social telescope team who run PIRATE out in Tenerife.
Now the waiting begins…
#astronomy #space #photometry
Now the waiting begins…
#astronomy #space #photometry
Reposted by Guy Watkins
🧪 #evolution
OTD 1977 Carl Woese appeared on the front page of the NYT in a story about the discovery of a "form of life that predates higher organisms" a 3rd domain of life.
Here is a perspective on this groundbreaking discovery of the Archaea, made with George Fox.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
OTD 1977 Carl Woese appeared on the front page of the NYT in a story about the discovery of a "form of life that predates higher organisms" a 3rd domain of life.
Here is a perspective on this groundbreaking discovery of the Archaea, made with George Fox.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
November 3, 2025 at 7:21 AM
🧪 #evolution
OTD 1977 Carl Woese appeared on the front page of the NYT in a story about the discovery of a "form of life that predates higher organisms" a 3rd domain of life.
Here is a perspective on this groundbreaking discovery of the Archaea, made with George Fox.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
OTD 1977 Carl Woese appeared on the front page of the NYT in a story about the discovery of a "form of life that predates higher organisms" a 3rd domain of life.
Here is a perspective on this groundbreaking discovery of the Archaea, made with George Fox.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Orcas are awesome.
Orcas in the Gulf of California have been observed flipping juvenile great white sharks upside-down to induce paralysis, allowing them to extract and consume the sharks’ nutrient-rich livers.
Orcas seen killing young great white sharks by flipping them upside-down
A specialized shark-hunting pod of orcas in the Gulf of California has been caught on camera expertly targeting young great white sharks—flipping them upside-down to eat the energy-rich liver.
phys.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Orcas are awesome.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
Cassini NAC natural color view taken on 2011-04-25 19:34 UTC.
Distance to Rhea: 2.23 million km
Distance to Dione: 3.12 million km
Distance to Enceladus: 2.98 million km
Distance to Saturn: 2.75 million km
Phase angle: 67 deg
live.staticflickr.com/7257/7148482...
Distance to Rhea: 2.23 million km
Distance to Dione: 3.12 million km
Distance to Enceladus: 2.98 million km
Distance to Saturn: 2.75 million km
Phase angle: 67 deg
live.staticflickr.com/7257/7148482...
January 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Cassini NAC natural color view taken on 2011-04-25 19:34 UTC.
Distance to Rhea: 2.23 million km
Distance to Dione: 3.12 million km
Distance to Enceladus: 2.98 million km
Distance to Saturn: 2.75 million km
Phase angle: 67 deg
live.staticflickr.com/7257/7148482...
Distance to Rhea: 2.23 million km
Distance to Dione: 3.12 million km
Distance to Enceladus: 2.98 million km
Distance to Saturn: 2.75 million km
Phase angle: 67 deg
live.staticflickr.com/7257/7148482...
I've been back in Anglesey - Newborough, Menai Bridge, & Sandy Bay mostly.
November 1, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I've been back in Anglesey - Newborough, Menai Bridge, & Sandy Bay mostly.
Reposted by Guy Watkins
In celebration of National Cat Day, say hello to the Cats of AstrobiologyOU!
While they are tough employers/children, they power us through with cuddles and love, supporting us to be the best astrobiologists we can be!
#nationalcatday #catsofastrobiology #catsofbluesky
While they are tough employers/children, they power us through with cuddles and love, supporting us to be the best astrobiologists we can be!
#nationalcatday #catsofastrobiology #catsofbluesky
October 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
In celebration of National Cat Day, say hello to the Cats of AstrobiologyOU!
While they are tough employers/children, they power us through with cuddles and love, supporting us to be the best astrobiologists we can be!
#nationalcatday #catsofastrobiology #catsofbluesky
While they are tough employers/children, they power us through with cuddles and love, supporting us to be the best astrobiologists we can be!
#nationalcatday #catsofastrobiology #catsofbluesky
Reposted by Guy Watkins
New 4 part documentary begins TONIGHT on BBC2/iPlayer at 9pm (GMT, UK only)
AstrobiologyOU’s Dr Vic Pearson and Dr Marjan Ajevski were academic consultants on the series.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
AstrobiologyOU’s Dr Vic Pearson and Dr Marjan Ajevski were academic consultants on the series.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Two - Once Upon a Time in Space
The human story of space exploration.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 5:09 PM
New 4 part documentary begins TONIGHT on BBC2/iPlayer at 9pm (GMT, UK only)
AstrobiologyOU’s Dr Vic Pearson and Dr Marjan Ajevski were academic consultants on the series.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
AstrobiologyOU’s Dr Vic Pearson and Dr Marjan Ajevski were academic consultants on the series.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Generative AI’s environmental impact in a time of global warming. It's not good.
share.google/37obJuA4AEeU...
share.google/37obJuA4AEeU...
Explained: Generative AI’s environmental impact
MIT News explores the environmental and sustainability implications of generative AI technologies and applications.
share.google
October 27, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Generative AI’s environmental impact in a time of global warming. It's not good.
share.google/37obJuA4AEeU...
share.google/37obJuA4AEeU...
1.5°C: what it means and why it matters | United Nations share.google/oEm522fCUaD1...
1.5°C: what it means and why it matters | United Nations
The science is clear: to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a liveable planet, global warming needs to be limited as much as possible and as a matter of urgency. Under the Par...
share.google
October 27, 2025 at 6:38 AM
1.5°C: what it means and why it matters | United Nations share.google/oEm522fCUaD1...
Take part in UK Lunabotics 2026 @openuniversity.bsky.social
Design, build and operate your rover in a simulated lunar environment - hosted at the UKs first lunar rover challenge. Open to students!
uklunabotics.co.uk
Design, build and operate your rover in a simulated lunar environment - hosted at the UKs first lunar rover challenge. Open to students!
uklunabotics.co.uk
UK Lunabotics 2026 — Home
Official site for the UK Lunabotics challenge.
uklunabotics.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Take part in UK Lunabotics 2026 @openuniversity.bsky.social
Design, build and operate your rover in a simulated lunar environment - hosted at the UKs first lunar rover challenge. Open to students!
uklunabotics.co.uk
Design, build and operate your rover in a simulated lunar environment - hosted at the UKs first lunar rover challenge. Open to students!
uklunabotics.co.uk
I quite like this visualisation. youtube.com/shorts/hOz8U...
Let me explain the enormity of the universe in a way you've never heard before.
YouTube video by Ali
youtube.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I quite like this visualisation. youtube.com/shorts/hOz8U...
Reposted by Guy Watkins
We are fortunate: we are alive; we are powerful; the welfare of our civilization and our species is in our hands. If we do not speak for Earth, who will? If we are not committed to our own survival, who will be?
October 25, 2025 at 1:46 PM
We are fortunate: we are alive; we are powerful; the welfare of our civilization and our species is in our hands. If we do not speak for Earth, who will? If we are not committed to our own survival, who will be?