Nicole Mortillaro
@nebulousnikki.bsky.social
Senior science reporter at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC News)/Editor for the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada/amateur astronomer. Deeply concerned about climate change.
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
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My 2026 Amazing Sky Calendar is out and available for downloading at my website.
It's a FREE (!) PDF, suitable for local printing. It has lots of sky events listed in the monthly pages and 14 of my favourite astrophotos from 2025.
www.amazingsky.com/Books
It's a FREE (!) PDF, suitable for local printing. It has lots of sky events listed in the monthly pages and 14 of my favourite astrophotos from 2025.
www.amazingsky.com/Books
November 17, 2025 at 7:56 PM
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"In 1921, when the steamship Rotterdam arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, with Einstein on board, it was met by some 5,000 cheering New Yorkers. Reporters in small boats pulled alongside the ship even before it had docked." God, how I wish the public still had that kind of passion for science.
Albert Einstein's rise to superstardom began 106 years ago today, when the London Times noted the success of his theory of gravity, general relativity. I recently wrote about the public fascination with #Einstein and his theory for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social:
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
One Hundred Years Ago, Einstein's Theory of General Relativity Baffled the Press and the Public
Few people claimed to fully understand it, but the esoteric theory still managed to spark the public's imagination
www.smithsonianmag.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
"In 1921, when the steamship Rotterdam arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, with Einstein on board, it was met by some 5,000 cheering New Yorkers. Reporters in small boats pulled alongside the ship even before it had docked." God, how I wish the public still had that kind of passion for science.
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
Carnivorous ‘death ball’ sponge among new species found in depths of Southern Ocean
Carnivorous ‘death ball’ sponge among new species found in depths of Southern Ocean
Researchers previously took first confirmed footage of a juvenile colossal squid in scarcely explored habitat
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Carnivorous ‘death ball’ sponge among new species found in depths of Southern Ocean
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
Astronomers have discovered a ready-to-image super-Earth candidate less than 20 light-years away.
skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
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#astronomy #exoplanet #superearth
skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
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#astronomy #exoplanet #superearth
A Super-Earth Candidate Less Than 20 Light-Years Away
Astronomers have discovered a ready-to-image super-Earth candidate, named GJ 251c, less than 20 light-years away.
skyandtelescope.org
October 29, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Astronomers have discovered a ready-to-image super-Earth candidate less than 20 light-years away.
skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
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#astronomy #exoplanet #superearth
skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
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#astronomy #exoplanet #superearth
I've been looking forward to this film because, yeah, the threat of nuclear war terrifies me and that fear never left me after I watched The Day After as a child.
Thanks Tom. Never thought I’d pine for the “mutually assured destruction” days.
Ps, a gift version for those who may need it www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Ps, a gift version for those who may need it www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Kathryn Bigelow’s Warning to America
The threat of apocalypse never ended. We just chose to forget about it.
www.theatlantic.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I've been looking forward to this film because, yeah, the threat of nuclear war terrifies me and that fear never left me after I watched The Day After as a child.
I vividly remember sitting at the kitchen table reading about the first exoplanet discovery in 1992. Will never forget it. And look at us now!
Thirty years ago Monday, astronomers announced the first planet around a Sunlike star. Since then they have cataloged more than 6,000 alien worlds.
I asked a bunch of astronomers what their favorite exoplanet is, and wrote about it for @nature.com. What's yours?
🧪 #astronomy
I asked a bunch of astronomers what their favorite exoplanet is, and wrote about it for @nature.com. What's yours?
🧪 #astronomy
These alien planets are astronomers’ favourites: here’s why
Space scientists look back on 30 years of exoplanet discoveries — from rows of massive ‘super-Earths‘ to worlds with perfectly synchronized orbits.
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I vividly remember sitting at the kitchen table reading about the first exoplanet discovery in 1992. Will never forget it. And look at us now!
Article, please.
The real generational divide is people who refuse to watch a video if it could be an article versus people who refuse to read an article if it could be a video
September 29, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Article, please.
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
THIS NEW HUBBLE IMAGE LOOKS LIKE A GALACTIC PORTAL!!! 🌌
September 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
THIS NEW HUBBLE IMAGE LOOKS LIKE A GALACTIC PORTAL!!! 🌌
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
"Every kid starts out as a natural-born scientist, and then we beat it out of them. A few trickle through the system with their wonder and enthusiasm for science intact."
-Carl Sagan
-Carl Sagan
September 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM
"Every kid starts out as a natural-born scientist, and then we beat it out of them. A few trickle through the system with their wonder and enthusiasm for science intact."
-Carl Sagan
-Carl Sagan
This fact always amazes me. How new our understanding really is, yet how far we've come to study these galaxies in such remarkable detail.
A detailed image of the galaxy cluster Abell 3827
Gazing at this vast collection of hundreds of galaxies, it’s remarkable to remember that less than a century ago, many astronomers thought the Milky Way was the only galaxy in existence.
(Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Massey)
Gazing at this vast collection of hundreds of galaxies, it’s remarkable to remember that less than a century ago, many astronomers thought the Milky Way was the only galaxy in existence.
(Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Massey)
September 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This fact always amazes me. How new our understanding really is, yet how far we've come to study these galaxies in such remarkable detail.
T. Ocellus is an agent of chaos.
September 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
T. Ocellus is an agent of chaos.
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
There's a NASA presser happening now in which acting admin Duffy said "This very well could be the clearest sign of life that we’ve ever found on Mars." That doesn't mean it is a sign of life. We covered this cool rock in 2024, paper in Nature is out today: 🧪🔭
www.sciencenews.org/article/nasa...
www.sciencenews.org/article/nasa...
NASA's Perseverance finds its first possible hint of ancient Mars life
The NASA Mars rover examined a rock containing organic compounds and “leopard spots” that, on Earth, are associated with microbial life.
www.sciencenews.org
September 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
There's a NASA presser happening now in which acting admin Duffy said "This very well could be the clearest sign of life that we’ve ever found on Mars." That doesn't mean it is a sign of life. We covered this cool rock in 2024, paper in Nature is out today: 🧪🔭
www.sciencenews.org/article/nasa...
www.sciencenews.org/article/nasa...
Woot! Got my advances! New title but same great content. Use it to plan for your 2026 night sky planning! @fireflybooks.bsky.social
September 1, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Woot! Got my advances! New title but same great content. Use it to plan for your 2026 night sky planning! @fireflybooks.bsky.social
And that’s what I saw last night! Was absolutely amazing! @billlongo.com
On the other side of the planet, we see the launch trajectory north from French Guiana over the Atlantic and Labrador, circa 0040 UTC, and then on the second orbit over Colombia, Cuba, the eastern US and Ontario circa 0225-0240 UTC. The deorbit burn was at 0235 UTC, 800 km above Lake Superior
August 14, 2025 at 3:37 AM
And that’s what I saw last night! Was absolutely amazing! @billlongo.com
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
There were a couple of launches today, but I'd need to know what direction you saw itmand what direction it's moving. I see other posts about it here too; it was seen from South Dakota.
August 13, 2025 at 2:55 AM
There were a couple of launches today, but I'd need to know what direction you saw itmand what direction it's moving. I see other posts about it here too; it was seen from South Dakota.
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
From Canada I think it's much more likely to be the Ariane 6 launch which was polar, rather that the Vulcan launch which was at 28 deg inclination and which is still on it way to GEO altitude.
August 13, 2025 at 3:27 AM
From Canada I think it's much more likely to be the Ariane 6 launch which was polar, rather that the Vulcan launch which was at 28 deg inclination and which is still on it way to GEO altitude.
Okay. Was looking for Perseids, but caught this instead! From Toronto. Amazing! What rocket launch is this from? It’s going the wrong way! @philplait.bsky.social @planet4589.bsky.social
August 13, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Okay. Was looking for Perseids, but caught this instead! From Toronto. Amazing! What rocket launch is this from? It’s going the wrong way! @philplait.bsky.social @planet4589.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
I bet it's been a while since you've had your mind vaporized by a JWST image so here's one of a cluster of galaxies so immense it's visibly warping space.
Bonus: I explain what you're seeing! Because that's kinda my thing!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/an-incredi...
🔭🧪
Bonus: I explain what you're seeing! Because that's kinda my thing!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/an-incredi...
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An incredible JWST image of an immense city of galaxies
Abell S1063 is a jaw-dropping example of the power of the big telescope
badastronomy.beehiiv.com
August 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I bet it's been a while since you've had your mind vaporized by a JWST image so here's one of a cluster of galaxies so immense it's visibly warping space.
Bonus: I explain what you're seeing! Because that's kinda my thing!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/an-incredi...
🔭🧪
Bonus: I explain what you're seeing! Because that's kinda my thing!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/an-incredi...
🔭🧪
Meow.
Did someone say it was #InternationalCatDay? Less than a month ago, the James Webb Space Telescope released an image of the Cat's Paw Nebula—focusing on a particular "toe bean." 🐾
Check it out! ⬇️
Check it out! ⬇️
Hooray for three years of paw-sitively amazing #NASAWebb science! To celebrate, the telescope examined a singular “toe bean” of the Cat’s Paw Nebula, a massive star-forming region. Webb reveals gas, dust, and massive young stars: webbtelescope.pub/4khJK9T 🔭
Reply with an image of your pet’s paws! 🐾
Reply with an image of your pet’s paws! 🐾
August 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Meow.
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
🚨 Interstellar news!
☄️ The unexpected comet 3I/ATLAS has been captured in the sharpest picture yet by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
Discover more about this visitor from outside our Solar System 👉 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... 🔭 🧪
☄️ The unexpected comet 3I/ATLAS has been captured in the sharpest picture yet by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
Discover more about this visitor from outside our Solar System 👉 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... 🔭 🧪
August 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
🚨 Interstellar news!
☄️ The unexpected comet 3I/ATLAS has been captured in the sharpest picture yet by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
Discover more about this visitor from outside our Solar System 👉 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... 🔭 🧪
☄️ The unexpected comet 3I/ATLAS has been captured in the sharpest picture yet by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
Discover more about this visitor from outside our Solar System 👉 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
WHOA.
Astronomers may have found a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the closest sun-like star to the Sun! It's a binary system, too, so if this is confirmed it'll be an AMAZING discovery!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/a-planet-f...
🔭🧪
Astronomers may have found a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the closest sun-like star to the Sun! It's a binary system, too, so if this is confirmed it'll be an AMAZING discovery!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/a-planet-f...
🔭🧪
A planet for Alpha Centauri A?
JWST spots what might be a Jupiter-sized world around the nearest Sun-like star
badastronomy.beehiiv.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM
WHOA.
Astronomers may have found a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the closest sun-like star to the Sun! It's a binary system, too, so if this is confirmed it'll be an AMAZING discovery!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/a-planet-f...
🔭🧪
Astronomers may have found a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the closest sun-like star to the Sun! It's a binary system, too, so if this is confirmed it'll be an AMAZING discovery!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/a-planet-f...
🔭🧪
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
☄️ Say hello to Comet 3I/ATLAS, just the third interstellar object ever seen in our Solar System!
NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory didn’t discover the comet, but even during testing, it caught a glimpse. Imagine what we'll find once full science operations begin later this year! 🔭🧪
NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory didn’t discover the comet, but even during testing, it caught a glimpse. Imagine what we'll find once full science operations begin later this year! 🔭🧪
Interstellar Object Comet 3I/ATLAS as seen by NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory!
☄️ Say hello to Comet 3I/ATLAS as seen by NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory!
Comet 3I/ATLAS is just the third interstellar object ever spotted in our Solar System.
Rubin Observatory didn’t discover it, but…
youtu.be
July 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
☄️ Say hello to Comet 3I/ATLAS, just the third interstellar object ever seen in our Solar System!
NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory didn’t discover the comet, but even during testing, it caught a glimpse. Imagine what we'll find once full science operations begin later this year! 🔭🧪
NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory didn’t discover the comet, but even during testing, it caught a glimpse. Imagine what we'll find once full science operations begin later this year! 🔭🧪
Reposted by Nicole Mortillaro
Going stir crazy and need a screen-free activity?
Introducing the NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory coloring book! 🎨🌌
No screens, and no assembly required (unless you count crayons). Print one page or the whole book, and get coloring! 🖍️
🔗: ls.st/coloring-book 🔭🧪
Introducing the NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory coloring book! 🎨🌌
No screens, and no assembly required (unless you count crayons). Print one page or the whole book, and get coloring! 🖍️
🔗: ls.st/coloring-book 🔭🧪
July 29, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Going stir crazy and need a screen-free activity?
Introducing the NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory coloring book! 🎨🌌
No screens, and no assembly required (unless you count crayons). Print one page or the whole book, and get coloring! 🖍️
🔗: ls.st/coloring-book 🔭🧪
Introducing the NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory coloring book! 🎨🌌
No screens, and no assembly required (unless you count crayons). Print one page or the whole book, and get coloring! 🖍️
🔗: ls.st/coloring-book 🔭🧪
OMG I love this so much!
July 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
OMG I love this so much!