Tim O'Brien
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proftimob.bsky.social
Tim O'Brien
@proftimob.bsky.social
510 followers 40 following 150 posts
Astrophysics professor, Director Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, exploding stars, science bluedot festival, red, two dogs rule the roost.
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Reposted by Tim O'Brien
drspacejunk.bsky.social
Another article which fails to mention that men are the abusers.
January 12, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
benstanley.eu
“Deepfake child pornography is fine as long as only adults get to see it” is a curious place for the modern Conservative Party to find itself, but here we are
January 12, 2026 at 6:33 PM
proftimob.bsky.social
Some good news 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 10:03 PM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
jodrellbank.bsky.social
On the 14th December, we celebrate Jodrell Bank’s 80th anniversary by sharing our final #JodrellAt80 heritage photo – taking us back to where it all began.

This black and white photo is one of the first ever taken at Jodrell, back when the site was still the @manchester.ac.uk botany station. [🧵1/4]
Black and white photograph of two people setting up military equipment out of a military trailer, next to the botany huts. Photo credit: The University of Manchester / The Lovell Family.
December 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM
proftimob.bsky.social
So sorry to hear this Robin. I applaud your principled stand. I can only imagine how much this has hurt you. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication making this joyful experience. I am proud to be part of its huge family of listeners and contributors.
December 13, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
robinince.bsky.social
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
December 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
proftimob.bsky.social
Went out with the dogs, beautiful clear night, looked up to see if I could spot a Geminid meteor, and right then a very bright one shot overhead 🤩 #watchtheskies #geminids
December 12, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
jodrellbank.bsky.social
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be an astronomer, this #LovellLecture is for you! ✨

Join Prof. René Breton in our interactive ‘Be The Astronomer’ lecture, where you'll investigate an astronomical transient from the thrill of discovery to follow-up observations: https://ow.ly/a28550XFGor
A photo of a starry sky captioned: 'Lovell Lecture: BE THE ASTRONOMER, a choose-your-adventure discovery in the sky! with Professor René Breton, Thursday 29 January, 19.30 - 21.00.' René Breton, a brunette man who is smiling and wearing a black checked shirt, is in the bottom right-hand corner.
December 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM
proftimob.bsky.social
The photo you've shared Wayne is Radiant Hut.
December 8, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
jodrellbank.bsky.social
🧵 To mark 80 years of discovery, we invited the public to join us in a celebratory project – Cosmic Threads – a community quilt inspired by Jodrell Bank’s rich legacy.

Now, we’re delighted to share the results with you in a brand-new exhibition: https://ow.ly/lv6N50XCNyM
A snapshot of the community quilt, featuring panels depicting scenes from space, captioned: 'Cosmic Threads Community Quilt Exhibition. Launching 24 January, 2026.'
December 6, 2025 at 7:30 PM
proftimob.bsky.social
These day-night matches are great - no need to get up early to watch England collapse 🫣
December 6, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
mmmmeier.bsky.social
The natural state of capitalism is "trickle-up". The only way to counter the "trickle-up" is taxes.
rbreich.bsky.social Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · Nov 29
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1965: 20-1

CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1

CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1

Trickle-down economics was always a sham.

Nothing has ever trickled down.
December 1, 2025 at 7:21 AM
proftimob.bsky.social
...I suppose 35 is more than 3 🙄
December 1, 2025 at 9:14 AM
proftimob.bsky.social
Volume training needed: "his meter readings had been recorded in cubic feet rather than cubic metres which means he has potentially been billed more than three times what he should have been." www.theguardian.com/money/2025/d...
UK energy suppliers’ customer service: a tragedy (and a farce) in three acts
Weird tales of meter mix-ups, incomprehensible bills, and to foment the drama, a teenager threatened with a trashed credit rating
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:11 AM
proftimob.bsky.social
Ancient 👽 ? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Extraordinary discovery' at Orkney's Ness of Brodgar Neolithic site
Archaeologists are to resume digging at the site after 3D radar technology uncovered a mystery find.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
proftimob.bsky.social
Plus a newton's cradle
November 28, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
lostinmilbury.bsky.social
Lovely article by Nicky Jenner in the latest issue of Astronomy Now all about 80 years of @jodrellbank.bsky.social.
Other great pieces about the latest interstellar visitor & planets beyond Neptune too.
@proftimob.bsky.social
@teresa-anderson.bsky.social
#JodrellBank
Front cover of the December 2025 issue of Astronomy Now. Main headline is "80 Years of Jodrell Bank" with a pink-tinted picture of the radio telescope. Inside page of the December 2025 Issue of Astronomy Now showing the start of the article 80 Years of Jodrell Bank. There's a picture of the radio telescope.
November 23, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
jodrellbank.bsky.social
It’s been a wonderful afternoon celebrating in the lead up to the Observatory’s 80th anniversary this December, joined by current staff, alumni, researchers, and special friends of Jodrell Bank both old and new! 💫

#JodrellAt80
A cake celebrating the 80th anniversary of Jodrell Bank displayed in front of a preview of the 80th anniversary quilt, created by Anne Kelly. A presentation being delivered by Professor Mike Garrett to an audience on the history of Jodrell Bank. A presentation being delivered by Professor Mike Garrett to an audience on the history of Jodrell Bank.
November 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
theplanetaryguy.bsky.social
Abstracts submitted to LPSC 2026 are required to comply with White House (non-legally binding) executive orders forbidding mention of topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

At least USRA/LPI isn't hiding it.

But is this what our community wants? Or deserves? I don't think so.
November 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
jodrellbank.bsky.social
🎟️ Last chance to get livestream tickets!

Travel back in time in this Thursday's Heritage Lecture, where Professor Tim O'Brien, Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, will share the fascinating – and unlikely – story of how the observatory came to be: https://ow.ly/Fgu350Xq3iv
A black and white photo of the site with various aerials and trailers, c. summer 1948. Caption reads: 'Jodrell Bank: The Accidental Observatory / Jodrell at 80 / Livestream.'
November 12, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
jodrellbank.bsky.social
🎧 Did you catch our special anniversary broadcast on BBC Radio 4?

Sharing stories from the BBC archive and beyond, ‘Jodrell Bank at 80’ is a fascinating look at our site’s heritage and legacy!

Listen: https://ow.ly/6a6I50XonAO

#JodrellBank
BBC Radio 4 - Archive on 4, Jodrell Bank at 80
Brilliant stories told using archive from the BBC and beyond
ow.ly
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
proftimob.bsky.social
I'm sure we opted out of these some years ago, they seem to have appeared again 🤔 @robertmassey.bsky.social ?
November 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Tim O'Brien
lostinmilbury.bsky.social
Just listened to JODRELL BANK AT 80 from Radio 4 (now on BBC Sounds).
This is a *wonderful* prog celebrating JB & Bernard Lovell, with fab interviews & archive stuff.
Hannah Peel is a great presenter, suitably awestruck by the telescope, & her specially-written piece is hauntingly beautiful...
Archive on 4 - Jodrell Bank at 80 - BBC Sounds
Brilliant stories told using archive from the BBC and beyond
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 10:10 AM
proftimob.bsky.social
Bolton vs Rochdale
November 8, 2025 at 12:49 PM
proftimob.bsky.social
Bloody midweek bonfire night means fireworks go on for well over a week freaking out the poor dogs 😔🤫🐕🐕
November 7, 2025 at 7:47 PM