Mike Wheatland
@manicule.bsky.social
Professor in physics and Associate Dean, Education in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney. Solar astrophysicist and owner of spinning things. Views expressed here are my own.
Reposted by Mike Wheatland
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...
⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
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
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...
⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
Including:
* FRBs with @manishacaleb.bsky.social
* Quantum critical points with @domwilliamson.bsky.social
* Nanostructured materials with @boriskuhlmey.bsky.social
www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
⚛️ 🔭 ☄️ 🧪
Reposted by Mike Wheatland
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...
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
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...
Deadline: 16th November
⚛️ 🔭 ☄️
usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNA...
Reposted by Mike Wheatland
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
Ever wonder what happened to that $100 million interstellar spaceship program? Me too. www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Mike Wheatland
Participation in Australian high school #Physics is declining!
The proportion of Yr 12 students studying physics fell from 14.9% in 2015 to 12.1% in 2023; gender ratio unchanged.
(Luckily this hasn't impacted the number of students studying Physics @sydney.edu.au, but it is a broader issue).
The proportion of Yr 12 students studying physics fell from 14.9% in 2015 to 12.1% in 2023; gender ratio unchanged.
(Luckily this hasn't impacted the number of students studying Physics @sydney.edu.au, but it is a broader issue).
The 2025 Year 12 Physics Participation Report Card, released today by AMSI and the AIP, reveals a decline in high school physics enrolments across Australia, and persistent gender gaps.
Media release: www.aip.org.au/resources/Do...
Full report: www.aip.org.au/resources/Do...
Media release: www.aip.org.au/resources/Do...
Full report: www.aip.org.au/resources/Do...
September 2, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Participation in Australian high school #Physics is declining!
The proportion of Yr 12 students studying physics fell from 14.9% in 2015 to 12.1% in 2023; gender ratio unchanged.
(Luckily this hasn't impacted the number of students studying Physics @sydney.edu.au, but it is a broader issue).
The proportion of Yr 12 students studying physics fell from 14.9% in 2015 to 12.1% in 2023; gender ratio unchanged.
(Luckily this hasn't impacted the number of students studying Physics @sydney.edu.au, but it is a broader issue).
Reposted by Mike Wheatland
A smartphone is not all that different in shape from a skateboard, in Australia, they are willing to take risks, and so “The mobile phone as a free-rotation laboratory” was born, www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~wheat/paper... (for tl;dr, there is a video via the DOI link). 2/3
www.physics.usyd.edu.au
August 28, 2025 at 2:32 PM
A smartphone is not all that different in shape from a skateboard, in Australia, they are willing to take risks, and so “The mobile phone as a free-rotation laboratory” was born, www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~wheat/paper... (for tl;dr, there is a video via the DOI link). 2/3
The Faculty of Science student awards 2025. Science is amazing and our students are the future which is more
amazing still.
@sydney.edu.au
@sydneyphysics.bsky.social
amazing still.
@sydney.edu.au
@sydneyphysics.bsky.social
August 19, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The Faculty of Science student awards 2025. Science is amazing and our students are the future which is more
amazing still.
@sydney.edu.au
@sydneyphysics.bsky.social
amazing still.
@sydney.edu.au
@sydneyphysics.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Wheatland
In an era that is very cynical about higher education, it's great to see students from a range of cultural and educational backgrounds working together, sharing their experiences and recommending books to read. Both on campus and online.
(Credit to @manicule.bsky.social and Tristram Alexander)
(Credit to @manicule.bsky.social and Tristram Alexander)
August 5, 2025 at 12:19 AM
In an era that is very cynical about higher education, it's great to see students from a range of cultural and educational backgrounds working together, sharing their experiences and recommending books to read. Both on campus and online.
(Credit to @manicule.bsky.social and Tristram Alexander)
(Credit to @manicule.bsky.social and Tristram Alexander)
A terrific Sydney Ideas talk with Katie Mack and Tara Murphy! @sydneyideas.bsky.social @astrokatie.com @taramurphy.bsky.social @sydney.edu.au
July 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
A terrific Sydney Ideas talk with Katie Mack and Tara Murphy! @sydneyideas.bsky.social @astrokatie.com @taramurphy.bsky.social @sydney.edu.au
This week I helped graduate 165 students (including 24 PhDs, one supervised by me, and 10 university medallists). Congratulations to James and all of the graduates! @sydney.edu.au @sydneyphysics.bsky.social
May 16, 2025 at 7:25 AM
This week I helped graduate 165 students (including 24 PhDs, one supervised by me, and 10 university medallists). Congratulations to James and all of the graduates! @sydney.edu.au @sydneyphysics.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Wheatland
I am super excited to be hosting the incredible Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com presenting "The End of Everything" at the University of Sydney @sydney.edu.au
Join us on July 10 to learn about five ways the Universe might die!
Registration is free...
www.sydney.edu.au/engage/event...
⚛️ #Astronomy ⚛️
@astrokatie.com presenting "The End of Everything" at the University of Sydney @sydney.edu.au
Join us on July 10 to learn about five ways the Universe might die!
Registration is free...
www.sydney.edu.au/engage/event...
⚛️ #Astronomy ⚛️
Katie Mack: The end of everything
www.sydney.edu.au
May 15, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I am super excited to be hosting the incredible Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com presenting "The End of Everything" at the University of Sydney @sydney.edu.au
Join us on July 10 to learn about five ways the Universe might die!
Registration is free...
www.sydney.edu.au/engage/event...
⚛️ #Astronomy ⚛️
@astrokatie.com presenting "The End of Everything" at the University of Sydney @sydney.edu.au
Join us on July 10 to learn about five ways the Universe might die!
Registration is free...
www.sydney.edu.au/engage/event...
⚛️ #Astronomy ⚛️
Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mount Tomah in Bilpin.
Highly recommended!
They have giant Redwoods, and so much else.
Highly recommended!
They have giant Redwoods, and so much else.
April 23, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mount Tomah in Bilpin.
Highly recommended!
They have giant Redwoods, and so much else.
Highly recommended!
They have giant Redwoods, and so much else.
The yo-yo trick -- which way will it roll? A PHYS1001 demo. @sydney.edu.au @sydneyphysics.bsky.social
April 4, 2025 at 3:09 AM
The yo-yo trick -- which way will it roll? A PHYS1001 demo. @sydney.edu.au @sydneyphysics.bsky.social
Laura Driessen from @sydneyphysics.bsky.social Raising the Bar at Hermann's Bar @sydney.edu.au
April 3, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Laura Driessen from @sydneyphysics.bsky.social Raising the Bar at Hermann's Bar @sydney.edu.au
Welcome University of Sydney @sydney.edu.au to Bluesky!
We heard that you were talking about us on Bluesky so here we are 👋
March 24, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Welcome University of Sydney @sydney.edu.au to Bluesky!
A rolling spherical neodymium magnet with a maximum surface field of 8000G. It experiences a torque due to the Earth's magnetic field and does a little dance. #physics
March 20, 2025 at 7:17 AM
A rolling spherical neodymium magnet with a maximum surface field of 8000G. It experiences a torque due to the Earth's magnetic field and does a little dance. #physics
Reposted by Mike Wheatland
A very interesting new discovery from Iris de Ruiter (our most recent Sydney radio transients / @ozgrav.bsky.social group member)!
A new long period radio transient, which turns out to be an unsual white dwarf - cool dwarf binary system
theconversation.com/mysterious-r...
#RadioAstronomy
A new long period radio transient, which turns out to be an unsual white dwarf - cool dwarf binary system
theconversation.com/mysterious-r...
#RadioAstronomy
White dwarf and red dwarf duo emit radio pulses every two hours
An international team of astronomers led by scientists from the Netherlands has shown that a white dwarf and a red dwarf orbiting each other every two hours are emitting radio pulses. Thanks to observ...
phys.org
March 12, 2025 at 10:16 AM
A very interesting new discovery from Iris de Ruiter (our most recent Sydney radio transients / @ozgrav.bsky.social group member)!
A new long period radio transient, which turns out to be an unsual white dwarf - cool dwarf binary system
theconversation.com/mysterious-r...
#RadioAstronomy
A new long period radio transient, which turns out to be an unsual white dwarf - cool dwarf binary system
theconversation.com/mysterious-r...
#RadioAstronomy
A lecture demonstration from the PHYS1001 lecture today @sydneyuni.bsky.social @sydneyphysics.bsky.social
March 10, 2025 at 8:03 AM
A lecture demonstration from the PHYS1001 lecture today @sydneyuni.bsky.social @sydneyphysics.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Wheatland
We're advertising a continuing position in the School of Physics at Sydney!
Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Theoretical Optics & Photonics
Deadline April 3rd
usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNA...
Base Salary Level B/C, $122,830 - $173,492 p.a + 17% superannuation
#Physics #AcademicSky
Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Theoretical Optics & Photonics
Deadline April 3rd
usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNA...
Base Salary Level B/C, $122,830 - $173,492 p.a + 17% superannuation
#Physics #AcademicSky
Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Theoretical Optics & Photonics
Full time, continuing position. Located on the Camperdown Campus at the School of Physics Exciting opportunity to join the leading physics department in the country, with outstanding staff and student...
usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com
March 5, 2025 at 4:44 AM
We're advertising a continuing position in the School of Physics at Sydney!
Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Theoretical Optics & Photonics
Deadline April 3rd
usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNA...
Base Salary Level B/C, $122,830 - $173,492 p.a + 17% superannuation
#Physics #AcademicSky
Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Theoretical Optics & Photonics
Deadline April 3rd
usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNA...
Base Salary Level B/C, $122,830 - $173,492 p.a + 17% superannuation
#Physics #AcademicSky
Lecture 1 in PHYS1001 for 2025. A great turn out with 300+ students. I am explaining the Tippe Top and the Euler disk. @sydneyuni.bsky.social @sydneyphysics.bsky.social
youtu.be/Bf82WQaLQD8
youtu.be/Bf82WQaLQD8
PHYS1001 Lecture 1 extract
YouTube video by Mike Wheatland
youtu.be
February 24, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Lecture 1 in PHYS1001 for 2025. A great turn out with 300+ students. I am explaining the Tippe Top and the Euler disk. @sydneyuni.bsky.social @sydneyphysics.bsky.social
youtu.be/Bf82WQaLQD8
youtu.be/Bf82WQaLQD8
A packed Faculty of Science Welcome Week event at the Seymour Centre today -- wonderful to meet the new students @sydneyuni.bsky.social
February 18, 2025 at 8:14 AM
A packed Faculty of Science Welcome Week event at the Seymour Centre today -- wonderful to meet the new students @sydneyuni.bsky.social
It's solargraph Monday with the @solarcan.bsky.social Puck
February 17, 2025 at 9:20 AM
It's solargraph Monday with the @solarcan.bsky.social Puck
Another solargraph -- the path of the Sun on the sky captured with a pinhole camera (the @solarcan.bsky.social Puck).
February 16, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Another solargraph -- the path of the Sun on the sky captured with a pinhole camera (the @solarcan.bsky.social Puck).
Another solargraph. The @solarcan.bsky.social Puck was attached to my skylight but it got rained on heavily and I think some water got in. And it was pointed too low, the skylight is angled south. The Sun has skimmed the top.
February 13, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Another solargraph. The @solarcan.bsky.social Puck was attached to my skylight but it got rained on heavily and I think some water got in. And it was pointed too low, the skylight is angled south. The Sun has skimmed the top.
Another #solargraph with the SolarCan Puck. I pointed a bit low. :-) @solarcan.bsky.social
February 12, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Another #solargraph with the SolarCan Puck. I pointed a bit low. :-) @solarcan.bsky.social
Solargraphy with the Solarcan Puck: an image of the path of the Sun on the sky. Also an image of the view it was looking at. #solarcan @solarcan.bsky.social
February 8, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Solargraphy with the Solarcan Puck: an image of the path of the Sun on the sky. Also an image of the view it was looking at. #solarcan @solarcan.bsky.social