jonathan jb webb
@jjbw.bsky.social
Giant nerd. Science journalist. Dad.
If you thought your Christmas was intense… this robot was busy barrelling through the sun’s atmosphere at 192 km per second. It went closer to the sun than we’ve ever been before - and faster than any other human-made object in history. 🔥
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nasa's Parker Solar Probe survives closest-ever approach to Sun
Scientists hope the probe can help us better understand how the Sun works.
www.bbc.com
December 27, 2024 at 2:01 PM
If you thought your Christmas was intense… this robot was busy barrelling through the sun’s atmosphere at 192 km per second. It went closer to the sun than we’ve ever been before - and faster than any other human-made object in history. 🔥
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by jonathan jb webb
As I said -- only a matter of time before news orgs lashed out at Apple's lackluster (and evidently dangerously wrong) AI summaries of their work. This is shambolic and the BBC has every right to be furious about it.
BBC complains to Apple over misleading shooting headline
Apple's new artificial intelligence features falsely made it seem the BBC reported Luigi Mangione had shot himself.
www.bbc.com
December 13, 2024 at 8:49 PM
As I said -- only a matter of time before news orgs lashed out at Apple's lackluster (and evidently dangerously wrong) AI summaries of their work. This is shambolic and the BBC has every right to be furious about it.
A clear summary of a grim situation by @drjr.bsky.social.
Academics always grumble about university rankings, unless their university is doing well in them. But when Aussie universities are dropping down the charts in unison... it's a warning sign.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Academics always grumble about university rankings, unless their university is doing well in them. But when Aussie universities are dropping down the charts in unison... it's a warning sign.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Falling enrolments and funding cuts force Australian universities to take stock
The Australian Universities Accord offers a roadmap for reform, but there are major challenges ahead.
www.nature.com
November 29, 2024 at 2:00 AM
A clear summary of a grim situation by @drjr.bsky.social.
Academics always grumble about university rankings, unless their university is doing well in them. But when Aussie universities are dropping down the charts in unison... it's a warning sign.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Academics always grumble about university rankings, unless their university is doing well in them. But when Aussie universities are dropping down the charts in unison... it's a warning sign.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Top Fivers kicking goals 💥👋
November 28, 2024 at 9:05 PM
Top Fivers kicking goals 💥👋
So nice to hear Laura interviewed by @sanaqadar.bsky.social 🤓🙌
Black holes, telescopes, and stars (oh my)! Listen to me chat with Sana Qadar about my life in astronomy on ABC RN Conversations today!
At 11:05am on ABC Local Radio (nationally except Vic), at 3:05pm on Radio National, or from this arvo on Spotify and the ABC Listen app 😀
At 11:05am on ABC Local Radio (nationally except Vic), at 3:05pm on Radio National, or from this arvo on Spotify and the ABC Listen app 😀
November 28, 2024 at 12:39 PM
So nice to hear Laura interviewed by @sanaqadar.bsky.social 🤓🙌
Folks outside the UK / science might not clock quite what a strong statement this is.
EVERYBODY wants to be an FRS. But not @deevybee.bsky.social - not any more. 💥
EVERYBODY wants to be an FRS. But not @deevybee.bsky.social - not any more. 💥
November 25, 2024 at 9:02 AM
Folks outside the UK / science might not clock quite what a strong statement this is.
EVERYBODY wants to be an FRS. But not @deevybee.bsky.social - not any more. 💥
EVERYBODY wants to be an FRS. But not @deevybee.bsky.social - not any more. 💥
Reposted by jonathan jb webb
NASA's visualization team created a preview of every phase of the Moon in 2025, hour by hour.
The best part: Watching how the Moon's appearance changes due to its inclination, oval orbit, and libration (wobble). 🔭🧪
svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5415
The best part: Watching how the Moon's appearance changes due to its inclination, oval orbit, and libration (wobble). 🔭🧪
svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5415
November 24, 2024 at 9:32 PM
NASA's visualization team created a preview of every phase of the Moon in 2025, hour by hour.
The best part: Watching how the Moon's appearance changes due to its inclination, oval orbit, and libration (wobble). 🔭🧪
svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5415
The best part: Watching how the Moon's appearance changes due to its inclination, oval orbit, and libration (wobble). 🔭🧪
svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5415
November 23, 2024 at 10:43 AM
Reposted by jonathan jb webb
🎶 It’s me, hi! 🎶
🎶 I’m the problem, it’s me 🎶
Did you know - 99% of camera trap photos taken in Tasmania are of brushtail possums messing with equipment…
🎶 I’m the problem, it’s me 🎶
Did you know - 99% of camera trap photos taken in Tasmania are of brushtail possums messing with equipment…
November 15, 2024 at 6:43 AM
🎶 It’s me, hi! 🎶
🎶 I’m the problem, it’s me 🎶
Did you know - 99% of camera trap photos taken in Tasmania are of brushtail possums messing with equipment…
🎶 I’m the problem, it’s me 🎶
Did you know - 99% of camera trap photos taken in Tasmania are of brushtail possums messing with equipment…
Reposted by jonathan jb webb
The best thing about this image: the night side of Saturn. It’s not totally dark. Why not? Because it’s vaguely lit by light that has reflected from the rings. If you could somehow stand on the top of Saturn’s clouds, when it’s night, your world would be brightly lit by the huge yellow arc of rings.
Titan in front of Saturn - From Val Klavans - https://flic.kr/p/sAJDww
November 16, 2024 at 7:19 AM
The best thing about this image: the night side of Saturn. It’s not totally dark. Why not? Because it’s vaguely lit by light that has reflected from the rings. If you could somehow stand on the top of Saturn’s clouds, when it’s night, your world would be brightly lit by the huge yellow arc of rings.
Reposted by jonathan jb webb
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
Ants often act like inefficient goofballs. They got lost, accidentally drop their good and walk in circles trying to find it but eventually give up and go home, half of the ants in a nest just sit there 24/7 and do absolutely nothing.
Ants often act like inefficient goofballs. They got lost, accidentally drop their good and walk in circles trying to find it but eventually give up and go home, half of the ants in a nest just sit there 24/7 and do absolutely nothing.
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
A lot of people in positions of power got their promotions because they were behaving badly.
In sexual harassment cases, institutions use promotions as a way to retain the perpetrator and separate them from their primary victim.
A lot of people in positions of power got their promotions because they were behaving badly.
In sexual harassment cases, institutions use promotions as a way to retain the perpetrator and separate them from their primary victim.
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
More than half the CO₂ emissions of the Industrial Age have been pumped into the atmosphere since 1990.
More than half the CO₂ emissions of the Industrial Age have been pumped into the atmosphere since 1990.
November 15, 2024 at 7:53 PM
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
Ants often act like inefficient goofballs. They got lost, accidentally drop their good and walk in circles trying to find it but eventually give up and go home, half of the ants in a nest just sit there 24/7 and do absolutely nothing.
Ants often act like inefficient goofballs. They got lost, accidentally drop their good and walk in circles trying to find it but eventually give up and go home, half of the ants in a nest just sit there 24/7 and do absolutely nothing.
Thinking I might start popping the weekly brainteaser from my science spot on Radio National Breakfast up here, for any fellow nerds who like a puzzle... 🤓
This was last week's. I found it kinda surprising, and it was solved beautifully by a 10yo of my acquaintance so it's eminently doable!
This was last week's. I found it kinda surprising, and it was solved beautifully by a 10yo of my acquaintance so it's eminently doable!
November 15, 2024 at 5:37 AM
Thinking I might start popping the weekly brainteaser from my science spot on Radio National Breakfast up here, for any fellow nerds who like a puzzle... 🤓
This was last week's. I found it kinda surprising, and it was solved beautifully by a 10yo of my acquaintance so it's eminently doable!
This was last week's. I found it kinda surprising, and it was solved beautifully by a 10yo of my acquaintance so it's eminently doable!
Reposted by jonathan jb webb
Here's a bit more about Darren and why we launched this cadetship back in 2017:
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
ABC launches science cadetship in memory of 'science news geek' Darren Osborne
The ABC launches a cadetship for an aspiring science journalist from regional Australia, in honour of science news editor Darren Osborne, who died of brain cancer in 2015.
www.abc.net.au
January 16, 2024 at 5:47 AM
Here's a bit more about Darren and why we launched this cadetship back in 2017:
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
🚨 JOB ALERT 🚨
We are looking for the next Darren Osborne cadet to join the ABC RN Science Unit in 2024!
It's an entry level gig for 10 months, location flexible.
If you know a "science news geek" (that was Darren's Twitter handle 🤓💗) from regional Australia, tell them to apply.
And pls share 🙏
We are looking for the next Darren Osborne cadet to join the ABC RN Science Unit in 2024!
It's an entry level gig for 10 months, location flexible.
If you know a "science news geek" (that was Darren's Twitter handle 🤓💗) from regional Australia, tell them to apply.
And pls share 🙏
ABC Careers - Job Details - Darren Osborne Regional Science Cadet
careers.abc.net.au
January 16, 2024 at 5:46 AM
🚨 JOB ALERT 🚨
We are looking for the next Darren Osborne cadet to join the ABC RN Science Unit in 2024!
It's an entry level gig for 10 months, location flexible.
If you know a "science news geek" (that was Darren's Twitter handle 🤓💗) from regional Australia, tell them to apply.
And pls share 🙏
We are looking for the next Darren Osborne cadet to join the ABC RN Science Unit in 2024!
It's an entry level gig for 10 months, location flexible.
If you know a "science news geek" (that was Darren's Twitter handle 🤓💗) from regional Australia, tell them to apply.
And pls share 🙏
It’s been too long since I read anything by Naomi Oreskes. Good to see she’s still swinging.
October 30, 2023 at 12:01 PM
It’s been too long since I read anything by Naomi Oreskes. Good to see she’s still swinging.
Reposted by jonathan jb webb
Plane, Clouds, Moon, Spots, Sun - ©
Doyle and Shannon Slifer
Official: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap231008.html
HD: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2310/PlaneEclipse_Slifer_1756.jpg
Please enjoy following threads too! 🔭
Doyle and Shannon Slifer
Official: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap231008.html
HD: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2310/PlaneEclipse_Slifer_1756.jpg
Please enjoy following threads too! 🔭
October 8, 2023 at 8:05 PM
Plane, Clouds, Moon, Spots, Sun - ©
Doyle and Shannon Slifer
Official: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap231008.html
HD: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2310/PlaneEclipse_Slifer_1756.jpg
Please enjoy following threads too! 🔭
Doyle and Shannon Slifer
Official: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap231008.html
HD: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2310/PlaneEclipse_Slifer_1756.jpg
Please enjoy following threads too! 🔭
2) It gets complicated, because there are multiple versions of the same character.
3) Richard E Grant in a big hat.
3) Richard E Grant in a big hat.
October 4, 2023 at 11:54 AM
2) It gets complicated, because there are multiple versions of the same character.
3) Richard E Grant in a big hat.
3) Richard E Grant in a big hat.
Looking forward to season 2 of Loki, aka "Dr Who but with fights".
I’m 100% not the first to think or say this, but … it is.
1) A British-sounding hero with a shabby-formal outfit travels through time with a companion, on the run from a bureaucratic bunch of self-important busybodies. ✅
I’m 100% not the first to think or say this, but … it is.
1) A British-sounding hero with a shabby-formal outfit travels through time with a companion, on the run from a bureaucratic bunch of self-important busybodies. ✅
October 4, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Looking forward to season 2 of Loki, aka "Dr Who but with fights".
I’m 100% not the first to think or say this, but … it is.
1) A British-sounding hero with a shabby-formal outfit travels through time with a companion, on the run from a bureaucratic bunch of self-important busybodies. ✅
I’m 100% not the first to think or say this, but … it is.
1) A British-sounding hero with a shabby-formal outfit travels through time with a companion, on the run from a bureaucratic bunch of self-important busybodies. ✅
Priceless toddler moment #827:
Little human woke up from nap, leapt to his feet and declared, with obvious confidence and clarity of purpose, “We’re going to take our rubbish to the zoo!”
Little human woke up from nap, leapt to his feet and declared, with obvious confidence and clarity of purpose, “We’re going to take our rubbish to the zoo!”
September 27, 2023 at 10:30 AM
Priceless toddler moment #827:
Little human woke up from nap, leapt to his feet and declared, with obvious confidence and clarity of purpose, “We’re going to take our rubbish to the zoo!”
Little human woke up from nap, leapt to his feet and declared, with obvious confidence and clarity of purpose, “We’re going to take our rubbish to the zoo!”
Reposted by jonathan jb webb
NEW Staying below 1.5C wld save $12tn & create more jobs than are lost, says IEA
To get on track by 2030 we need…
🌅3x renewables
🏢2x efficiency
🚗"sharply" more EVs & heat pumps
🔥-75% methane emissions
🛢️⛽🏭-25% fossil fuel use
🧵let's dive in
www.iea.org/reports/net-...
To get on track by 2030 we need…
🌅3x renewables
🏢2x efficiency
🚗"sharply" more EVs & heat pumps
🔥-75% methane emissions
🛢️⛽🏭-25% fossil fuel use
🧵let's dive in
www.iea.org/reports/net-...
September 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM
NEW Staying below 1.5C wld save $12tn & create more jobs than are lost, says IEA
To get on track by 2030 we need…
🌅3x renewables
🏢2x efficiency
🚗"sharply" more EVs & heat pumps
🔥-75% methane emissions
🛢️⛽🏭-25% fossil fuel use
🧵let's dive in
www.iea.org/reports/net-...
To get on track by 2030 we need…
🌅3x renewables
🏢2x efficiency
🚗"sharply" more EVs & heat pumps
🔥-75% methane emissions
🛢️⛽🏭-25% fossil fuel use
🧵let's dive in
www.iea.org/reports/net-...
4) It is an impossible myth invented to torture us all
What does Inbox Zero mean to you?
1) Every email is read
2) Every email is moved out of the Inbox
3) Every TODO item from email has been noted somewhere else
4) Every TODO item from email has been completed
1) Every email is read
2) Every email is moved out of the Inbox
3) Every TODO item from email has been noted somewhere else
4) Every TODO item from email has been completed
September 26, 2023 at 6:57 AM
4) It is an impossible myth invented to torture us all
Zero worries. Felt a bit like a twat pointing it out - glad I didn’t just miss something 😅
September 26, 2023 at 12:07 AM
Zero worries. Felt a bit like a twat pointing it out - glad I didn’t just miss something 😅
A-ma-zing…
Winners of the 2023 Astronomy Photographer of the Year (14 photos) www.theatlantic.com/photo/2023/0...
Winners of the 2023 Astronomy Photographer of the Year
Some of the winners and runners-up from this year’s astrophotography competition
www.theatlantic.com
September 25, 2023 at 11:38 PM
A-ma-zing…