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taramurphy.bsky.social
Tara Murphy
@taramurphy.bsky.social
2.4K followers 640 following 360 posts
Professor and Head of School of Physics at the University of Sydney. Radio astronomer looking for transients and gravitational wave events. OzGrav CI. Teaching physics and the apocalypse. https://taramurphy.github.io

Views expressed here are my own :)
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Tara Murphy
carlnotsagan.github.io
i’m excited to announce that i am hiring (again)!

i am looking for a postdoc in computational astrophysics that’s excited about models of stellar transients and multi-messenger astronomy to join my group (star stuff @ steward) at @uarizona.bsky.social!

apply here ✨💥: aas.org/jobregister/...
Postdoctoral Research Associate I Computational Stellar Astrophysics (Steward Observatory) | American Astronomical Society
The University of Arizona (U of A) Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory (SO) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The successful candidate will work with Professor Ca...
aas.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
thesiswhisperer.bsky.social
I'd appreciate help circulating this survey, part of our overall work on neurodivergence.

This one is on behalf of the graduate deans, to develop better supervision guidelines.

You can help by boosting and circulating the link in your various networks 🙏 redcap.unisq.edu.au/surveys/?s=D...
Developing guidelines for supervising Neurodivergent HDR students
redcap.unisq.edu.au
November 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
We are offering 4 PhD scholarships in #physics and #astronomy topics @sydney.edu.au

Including:
* FRBs with @manishacaleb.bsky.social
* Quantum critical points with @domwilliamson.bsky.social
* Nanostructured materials with @boriskuhlmey.bsky.social

www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...

⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
Physics Foundation Scholarship
A stipend scholarship to support PhD students who are undertaking research within School of Physics, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.
www.sydney.edu.au
November 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
This is your final week to apply for the Professor Harry Messel Research Fellowship. A 3 year position open to women in any area of #Physics or #Astronomy at the University of Sydney @sydney.edu.au

Deadline: 16th November

⚛️ 🔭 ☄️
November 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
aussiastronomer.bsky.social
Hey, astronomers. Can you imagine astronomy research without ADS?!?!? No? So, have you filled out the ADS survey yet?

Help archives help you!

(Help archives keep funding!)

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Astrophysics Data System (ADS) User Feedback Survey
Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) digital library. Your insights will help us improve the platform and better serve the scientific community. All ...
docs.google.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
astrolaura.com
I've been thinking a bit about how talking about aliens affects how we share new astronomy discoveries, so I wrote an article about it 👽🔭🧪 theconversation.com/is-it-aliens...
Is it aliens? Why that’s the least important question about interstellar objects
The alien question, while fun, generates misinformation and distracts from the science.
theconversation.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:22 AM
taramurphy.bsky.social
Huge congratulations to @manishacaleb.bsky.social for her successful ARC Discovery Project on

"Tracing the origins of Long Period Transients in the Milky Way"

and to @benjaminpope.bsky.social for his project on

"Where are all the Exo-Earths?"

Two exciting #AstroSci projects starting in 2026!
October 28, 2025 at 1:53 AM
taramurphy.bsky.social
#Physics!
October 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
The #Astronomy Genealogy Project (AstroGen) is a cool @aas.org project that links all astronomers with their academic "ancestors" and "descendants" (via PhD supervision).

Sharing because I discovered an astronomer that wasn't aware of it :)

astrogen.aas.org/front/index....

☄️
Excerpt from the "AstroGen" family tree for Tara Murphy. The tree connects academic ancestors and descendants, via PhD supervision. Source: https://astrogen.aas.org/front/index.php
October 19, 2025 at 10:07 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
It was a privilege to attend our @sydney.edu.au graduation this week to see Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell receive an honorary DSc in recognition of her outstanding contribution to astrophysics, advocacy for under-represented students and as an inspirational role model for women in science.

⚛️ 🔭 ☄️
Photo of a University of Sydney graduation ceremony in which Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell is giving the occasional address. The photo is taken from the back from the Great Hall, and shows the audience and stage. Photo Credit: The University of Sydney/ Frankie Tsang Photo of senior staff with Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, in graduation gowns. Photo is in the main quadrangle office at the University of Sydney. Left to right: Deputy Dean Prof Chris McErlean, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Pro-Chancellor Dr Lisa McIntye, Emeritus Professor Anne Green. Photo Credit: The University of Sydney/ Frankie Tsang
October 17, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
emily.space
If you like astronomy posts, then you'll probably really like the astronomy feeds!

If you didn't know, Bluesky gives you direct control over your social algorithm. Instead of doomscrolling, look at space instead:
October 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
taramurphy.bsky.social
Excited to announce that we are advertising the Professor Harry Messel Research Fellowship. A 3 year position open to women in any area of #Physics or #Astronomy at the University of Sydney @sydney.edu.au

Deadline: 16th November

⚛️ 🔭 ☄️

usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNA...
Professor Harry Messel Research Fellow (Woman only) (PHYSICS)
Full time / Part-time 3 years fixed term, located on the Camperdown Campus at the School of Physics Exciting opportunity to undertake independent research and contribute to the advancement of physics ...
usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:04 AM
taramurphy.bsky.social
Excited to announce that we are advertising the Professor Harry Messel Research Fellowship. A 3 year position open to women in any area of #Physics or #Astronomy at the University of Sydney @sydney.edu.au

Deadline: 16th November

⚛️ 🔭 ☄️

usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNA...
Professor Harry Messel Research Fellow (Woman only) (PHYSICS)
Full time / Part-time 3 years fixed term, located on the Camperdown Campus at the School of Physics Exciting opportunity to undertake independent research and contribute to the advancement of physics ...
usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
kimager.bsky.social
📣Attention astronomers: CARTA [1] Image Competition is accepting submissions through Dec 12, 2025. More info here: carta-competition.idia.ac.za
(Can't wait to see the entries! 🤩🤩)

[1] cartavis.org
#RadioAstronomy
October 13, 2025 at 8:08 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
Learning about quantum tunnelling was one of the goosebumps moments that made me continue studying #physics.

From "How can this be possible!?" to "This is already used in all computers" in an hour :)

⚛️ Nobel Prize 2025 --> macroscopic quantum tunnelling ⚛️

www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2025...
Illustration of quantum tunnelling if it existed in the macroscopic world. Left image shows a child throwing a ball that bounces off a wall. Right image shows a child throwing a ball and it going through the wall and out the other side. Source: Nobel Prize in Physics page: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2025/press-release/
October 7, 2025 at 8:27 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
#SciX has some cute new vizualisations that you can use with your existing #ADS private libraries - like this author network plot.

#RadioAstronomy #AstroSci
A circle showing different authors that Tara Murphy has co-authors papers with. Generated by the SciX platform. Related authors are grouped together in different colour bands. Main co-authors are in a larger font.
October 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
taramurphy.bsky.social
Join us @sydney.edu.au for our 2025 Stibbs Lecture:

"Reflections on the Discovery of Pulsars: An Evening with Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell"

Date: Thursday 16 October 2025
Time: 6pm - 7:15 pm
Venue: University of Sydney

Registration is free: www.sydney.edu.au/science/news...

⚛️ 🔭 🧪

#RadioAstronomy
A slide advertising the Stibbs Lecture at the University of Sydney. Key information is in the main post.
September 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
taramurphy.bsky.social
Come and join us for the Dr Peter Domachuk Memorial Lecture on "Heat, Light and Passive Cooling" presented by Professor Shanhui Fan.

Wednesday October 1st, 6pm @sydney.edu.au #Physics, followed by a cocktail reception.

Registration is free:
www.sydney.edu.au/science/news...
A poster slide advertising the Peter Domachuk memorial lecture. The picture on the right shows a sun with schematics of passive cooling devices. On the left is the lecture information, which is in the main post.
September 8, 2025 at 9:31 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
Join us @sydney.edu.au for our 2025 Stibbs Lecture:

"Reflections on the Discovery of Pulsars: An Evening with Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell"

Date: Thursday 16 October 2025
Time: 6pm - 7:15 pm
Venue: University of Sydney

Registration is free: www.sydney.edu.au/science/news...

⚛️ 🔭 🧪

#RadioAstronomy
A slide advertising the Stibbs Lecture at the University of Sydney. Key information is in the main post.
September 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
sarahscoles.bsky.social
Ever wonder what happened to that $100 million interstellar spaceship program? Me too. www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
A $100-Million Mission to Another Star Just Disappeared
An abandoned plan to visit another star highlights the perils of billionaire-funded science
www.scientificamerican.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:29 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
When we search for radio transients we exclude extended objects

Hence we discard lots of radio galaxies, like the ones in this ASKAP VAST gallery, compiled by PhD student Surabhi Chandra

Each image shows radio emission from a galaxy with a supermassive black hole at the centre

#RadioAstronomy
A 5 (across) 10 (down) grid of images. Each one shows a radio galaxy from the ASKAP VAST survey. The colour scale ranges from dark blue to bright yellow.
September 15, 2025 at 3:12 AM
taramurphy.bsky.social
One week left to apply for our continuing position in Applied Plasma Physics and Biointerface Engineering! A great opportunity for someone at Levels B/C/D (lecturer to associate prof.) to lead in this area.

Deadline Sep 17th

usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USYD_E...

#Physics #Engineering
September 9, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Reposted by Tara Murphy
emily.space
For the last two years, I've been paying for the Astronomy feeds hosting myself.

It has been a privilege to grow our community here, but I also shouldn't keep doing it for free 😅

That's why I'm delighted to announce that we now have a donations page on Open Collective! 🔭☄️ #astrophotography
The Astrosky Ecosystem - Open Collective
We're building an open-source ecosystem of social media tools for the space science & astronomy communities.
opencollective.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
Come and join us for the Dr Peter Domachuk Memorial Lecture on "Heat, Light and Passive Cooling" presented by Professor Shanhui Fan.

Wednesday October 1st, 6pm @sydney.edu.au #Physics, followed by a cocktail reception.

Registration is free:
www.sydney.edu.au/science/news...
A poster slide advertising the Peter Domachuk memorial lecture. The picture on the right shows a sun with schematics of passive cooling devices. On the left is the lecture information, which is in the main post.
September 8, 2025 at 9:31 PM
taramurphy.bsky.social
4am lunar eclipse (red moon) on campus @sydney.edu.au

🔭
A red moon during a lunar eclipse, between two sandstone buildings on the University of Sydney campus. A red moon during a lunar eclipse, between a green tree and a sandstone building on the University of Sydney campus. A red moon during a lunar eclipse, above a building on the University of Sydney campus. A bright streetlight is on the left.
September 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM