Stuart Atkinson
@stuartatkinson.bsky.social
Amateur astronomer and author of science fiction and science reference books, including "A Cat's Guide to The Night Sky". Fascinated by Mars since knee high to R2D2 and owned by a very demanding rescue cat called Jess.
Pinned
Hi... If you Followed me as "Mars_Stu" over on the other place I hope you'll do the same here. If you didn't, but like space (especially Mars), SF & cats I'd be delighted if you'd Follow me here! Here's an example of the image processing I do... Credit: Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson
HUGELY enjoying "Leave No Trace" by @jocallaghankat.bsky.social Crime thriller with a twist: one of the detectives is an AI who is becoming increasingly snarky & frustrated with the humans it works with and its own existence. Scoured dictionary for how good a writer Jo is but didn't find one, sorry.
February 13, 2026 at 8:42 AM
HUGELY enjoying "Leave No Trace" by @jocallaghankat.bsky.social Crime thriller with a twist: one of the detectives is an AI who is becoming increasingly snarky & frustrated with the humans it works with and its own existence. Scoured dictionary for how good a writer Jo is but didn't find one, sorry.
Lee Child won't lose any sleep over my sales figures but I'm super-chuffed that my self-published biog of Felicette, the Space Cat has sold 171 copies! My mission to honour her & tell the *truth* about her flight, not the Disneyfied version, continues... www.amazon.co.uk/FELICETTE-Sp...
www.amazon.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Lee Child won't lose any sleep over my sales figures but I'm super-chuffed that my self-published biog of Felicette, the Space Cat has sold 171 copies! My mission to honour her & tell the *truth* about her flight, not the Disneyfied version, continues... www.amazon.co.uk/FELICETTE-Sp...
New views of Mars, sent back by the Perseverance rover yesterday. Love the variety of rocks, their surface features, structure, alignment. Imagine walking this landscape and seeing these close up... Images Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson
February 11, 2026 at 10:24 AM
New views of Mars, sent back by the Perseverance rover yesterday. Love the variety of rocks, their surface features, structure, alignment. Imagine walking this landscape and seeing these close up... Images Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson
Reposted by Stuart Atkinson
Hurrah it is Wednesday and the weasels are dancing. Today to a little bit of talking heads.
Dance like a weasel you know you want to! #weaselwednesday
Psst have you nabbed the pre 0rder of the new book yet?
Dance like a weasel you know you want to! #weaselwednesday
Psst have you nabbed the pre 0rder of the new book yet?
February 11, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Hurrah it is Wednesday and the weasels are dancing. Today to a little bit of talking heads.
Dance like a weasel you know you want to! #weaselwednesday
Psst have you nabbed the pre 0rder of the new book yet?
Dance like a weasel you know you want to! #weaselwednesday
Psst have you nabbed the pre 0rder of the new book yet?
I'm amazed the UFO nutters and "Martain Anomaly Hunters" haven't spotted this beautiful stone ring on Mars, imaged by Perseverance on Feb 5th. It's perfectly natural and shows what an amazing world Mars is.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson
February 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM
I'm amazed the UFO nutters and "Martain Anomaly Hunters" haven't spotted this beautiful stone ring on Mars, imaged by Perseverance on Feb 5th. It's perfectly natural and shows what an amazing world Mars is.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson
Supposed to be having a Big Writing Day today on my day off, but this one has woken up with brand new batteries in, so wish me luck with that...!
February 9, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Supposed to be having a Big Writing Day today on my day off, but this one has woken up with brand new batteries in, so wish me luck with that...!
Reposted by Stuart Atkinson
🔴 The Ring | #Mars #Perseverance
Sol 1764: L/L/R Mastcam-Z Cameras
enhanced mosaic panorama
Feb. 5, 2026 (Sol 1764), 12:15:52
source img: Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1764_0823537809_159EBY_N0840000ZCAM09818_1100LMJ | _ZR0_1764_ | _0823537822_
Image Credit: #NASA/ #JPL-Caltech/ #ASU/ Jackie Branc
#ring
Sol 1764: L/L/R Mastcam-Z Cameras
enhanced mosaic panorama
Feb. 5, 2026 (Sol 1764), 12:15:52
source img: Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1764_0823537809_159EBY_N0840000ZCAM09818_1100LMJ | _ZR0_1764_ | _0823537822_
Image Credit: #NASA/ #JPL-Caltech/ #ASU/ Jackie Branc
#ring
February 8, 2026 at 10:56 PM
🔴 The Ring | #Mars #Perseverance
Sol 1764: L/L/R Mastcam-Z Cameras
enhanced mosaic panorama
Feb. 5, 2026 (Sol 1764), 12:15:52
source img: Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1764_0823537809_159EBY_N0840000ZCAM09818_1100LMJ | _ZR0_1764_ | _0823537822_
Image Credit: #NASA/ #JPL-Caltech/ #ASU/ Jackie Branc
#ring
Sol 1764: L/L/R Mastcam-Z Cameras
enhanced mosaic panorama
Feb. 5, 2026 (Sol 1764), 12:15:52
source img: Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1764_0823537809_159EBY_N0840000ZCAM09818_1100LMJ | _ZR0_1764_ | _0823537822_
Image Credit: #NASA/ #JPL-Caltech/ #ASU/ Jackie Branc
#ring
Enough!!!!! This is absolute INSANITY. 88K satellites from this company, a MILLION from SpaceX, and it's just the start. Will someone somewhere **please** stop these mad people from destroying the night sky and filling Earth orbit with their crap?
February 8, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Enough!!!!! This is absolute INSANITY. 88K satellites from this company, a MILLION from SpaceX, and it's just the start. Will someone somewhere **please** stop these mad people from destroying the night sky and filling Earth orbit with their crap?
A troubled teenage girl finds a new life on Mars, where real space cowboys ride robot horses across the plains in the light of two moons - just as Earth is threatened by an alien AI. Come on, what more do you want?! ;-) www.amazon.co.uk/PLAINS-GOLD-...
www.amazon.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 3:15 PM
A troubled teenage girl finds a new life on Mars, where real space cowboys ride robot horses across the plains in the light of two moons - just as Earth is threatened by an alien AI. Come on, what more do you want?! ;-) www.amazon.co.uk/PLAINS-GOLD-...
I've caught up with writing so J & I are watching the Curling. "Why are they chasing those stupid rocks? It's stupid." she said. "You chase a red laser dot!" I pointed out. She wasn't impressed...
February 7, 2026 at 2:37 PM
I've caught up with writing so J & I are watching the Curling. "Why are they chasing those stupid rocks? It's stupid." she said. "You chase a red laser dot!" I pointed out. She wasn't impressed...
Reposted by Stuart Atkinson
A shiny white rock on Mars, imaged by the Mars Perseverance Rover on Sol 1764 (yestersol) using SuperCam and MastCam-Z.
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February 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM
A shiny white rock on Mars, imaged by the Mars Perseverance Rover on Sol 1764 (yestersol) using SuperCam and MastCam-Z.
flic.kr/p/2rV8BjP
flic.kr/p/2rVeh8M
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Ahhh, so, it looks like those white rocks scattered across the hillside ahead of Perseverance are more of those strange-looking soapstone-like polished rocks... Image credits: hillside - NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson, Close up - NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/IRAP/S Atkinson
February 5, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Ahhh, so, it looks like those white rocks scattered across the hillside ahead of Perseverance are more of those strange-looking soapstone-like polished rocks... Image credits: hillside - NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson, Close up - NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/IRAP/S Atkinson
You want to put a *million* satellites into orbit? Sure thing, Mr Musk Sir, no problem! Whatever you want, you know that! Yeah, F***those astronomers you told you'd protect the night sky! If there's anything else you want - blow up the Moon for materials, maybe? - just ask, Sir!
February 5, 2026 at 1:42 AM
You want to put a *million* satellites into orbit? Sure thing, Mr Musk Sir, no problem! Whatever you want, you know that! Yeah, F***those astronomers you told you'd protect the night sky! If there's anything else you want - blow up the Moon for materials, maybe? - just ask, Sir!
Intrigued by all those light rocks on this martian hillside, imaged by Perseverance earlier today (Feb 4th)... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S Atkinson
February 4, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Intrigued by all those light rocks on this martian hillside, imaged by Perseverance earlier today (Feb 4th)... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S Atkinson
Love seeing the tracks of Mars rovers meandering across the Martian landscape... Processed moisaic of new Perseverance images taken yesterday... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S Atkinson
February 4, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Love seeing the tracks of Mars rovers meandering across the Martian landscape... Processed moisaic of new Perseverance images taken yesterday... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S Atkinson
First photo of Jess, the one I saw on the shelter website 9 yrs ago, vs latest one taken today. She was lonely, sad, scared, underweight and poorly; she'd basically given up. Just look at her now. Yes, I'm a very proud cat dad, guilty as charged.
February 4, 2026 at 10:19 AM
First photo of Jess, the one I saw on the shelter website 9 yrs ago, vs latest one taken today. She was lonely, sad, scared, underweight and poorly; she'd basically given up. Just look at her now. Yes, I'm a very proud cat dad, guilty as charged.
Another grey mucky day in Kendal... Artemis delayed... still waiting to hear back from magazine editors and agents (lol!!!)... not seen a star for over a week... but at least I have this green-eyed monster to keep me smiling.
February 4, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Another grey mucky day in Kendal... Artemis delayed... still waiting to hear back from magazine editors and agents (lol!!!)... not seen a star for over a week... but at least I have this green-eyed monster to keep me smiling.
Lovely new view of Mars, courtesy of the Perseverance rover. Processed mosaic of images taken yesterday. Always love seeing rover tracks on the red planet, but hope to see bootprints before I go... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S Atkinson
February 1, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Lovely new view of Mars, courtesy of the Perseverance rover. Processed mosaic of images taken yesterday. Always love seeing rover tracks on the red planet, but hope to see bootprints before I go... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S Atkinson
Something a bit different this morning... I stacked/ processed some B&W images from Perseverance to bring out details on the distant slopes... love the dark streaks & areas of exposed rock... Ansell Adams would have LOVED Mars... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson
February 1, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Something a bit different this morning... I stacked/ processed some B&W images from Perseverance to bring out details on the distant slopes... love the dark streaks & areas of exposed rock... Ansell Adams would have LOVED Mars... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/S Atkinson
Reposted by Stuart Atkinson
NASA Mars Perseverance Rover outside Jezero crater
Sol 1,758 (30th January, 2026)
1) MastCam-Z (left) ZCAM04303 looking to the east
2) MastCam-Z (left) ZCAM04303 looking to the north-east
Site 83 / 1252
📷 Credits: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSS / Martian-Observer
Sol 1,758 (30th January, 2026)
1) MastCam-Z (left) ZCAM04303 looking to the east
2) MastCam-Z (left) ZCAM04303 looking to the north-east
Site 83 / 1252
📷 Credits: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSS / Martian-Observer
January 31, 2026 at 10:44 PM
NASA Mars Perseverance Rover outside Jezero crater
Sol 1,758 (30th January, 2026)
1) MastCam-Z (left) ZCAM04303 looking to the east
2) MastCam-Z (left) ZCAM04303 looking to the north-east
Site 83 / 1252
📷 Credits: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSS / Martian-Observer
Sol 1,758 (30th January, 2026)
1) MastCam-Z (left) ZCAM04303 looking to the east
2) MastCam-Z (left) ZCAM04303 looking to the north-east
Site 83 / 1252
📷 Credits: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSS / Martian-Observer
No words to describe just how much I love this crazy ball of fluff. A tiny lunatic with a heart as big as a planet, she chooses to lay and sleep in my arms. Isn't that amazing?
January 30, 2026 at 11:30 PM
No words to describe just how much I love this crazy ball of fluff. A tiny lunatic with a heart as big as a planet, she chooses to lay and sleep in my arms. Isn't that amazing?
Gorgeous new view of Mars sent back yesterday by the Perseverance rover... and I still think that's a big shiny meteorite... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S Atkinson
January 29, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Gorgeous new view of Mars sent back yesterday by the Perseverance rover... and I still think that's a big shiny meteorite... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/S Atkinson
The images are flowing back freely from our Mars rovers again (yaaaaay!), and something on this new image from Perseverance caught my eye. I'd bet a multi-pack of Spicy NikNaks that *that* is a lovely big meteorite... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
January 28, 2026 at 7:34 PM
The images are flowing back freely from our Mars rovers again (yaaaaay!), and something on this new image from Perseverance caught my eye. I'd bet a multi-pack of Spicy NikNaks that *that* is a lovely big meteorite... Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech