Sharmila Kuthunur
@skuthunur.bsky.social
Space journalist. ✍️ in Scientific American, Astronomy Magazine, Science, Space.com, Payload Space + more. Signal @SharmilaKuthunur.01 | sharmilak@proton.me
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Here's my follow-up story on K2-18b, the distant planet where scientists claimed to see a possible sign of life last month. In three preprints, other researcher argue that the signal is noise. nyti.ms/4jaqQRv
There’s Probably No Life on K2-18b After All, Three Studies Conclude
In April, astronomers said they had detected a possible signature of life on the exoplanet K2-18b. Now, three independent analyses discount the evidence.
nyti.ms
May 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Here's my follow-up story on K2-18b, the distant planet where scientists claimed to see a possible sign of life last month. In three preprints, other researcher argue that the signal is noise. nyti.ms/4jaqQRv
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
In April, astronomers said they had detected a possible signature of life on the planet K2-18b, which is over 120 light-years from Earth. Now, three independent analyses discount the evidence.
New Studies Dismiss Signs of Life on Distant Planet
www.nytimes.com
May 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
In April, astronomers said they had detected a possible signature of life on the planet K2-18b, which is over 120 light-years from Earth. Now, three independent analyses discount the evidence.
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
✨FREELANCE SCIENCE JOURNALISTS✨
Hi! I’m the Trending News Editor at Live Science & we’re looking to expand our pool of trending freelance science writers
These stories need a 24h turnaround and cover all areas of science, from medicine to climate change, archaeology and zoology
Details below 👇
Hi! I’m the Trending News Editor at Live Science & we’re looking to expand our pool of trending freelance science writers
These stories need a 24h turnaround and cover all areas of science, from medicine to climate change, archaeology and zoology
Details below 👇
May 13, 2025 at 10:40 AM
✨FREELANCE SCIENCE JOURNALISTS✨
Hi! I’m the Trending News Editor at Live Science & we’re looking to expand our pool of trending freelance science writers
These stories need a 24h turnaround and cover all areas of science, from medicine to climate change, archaeology and zoology
Details below 👇
Hi! I’m the Trending News Editor at Live Science & we’re looking to expand our pool of trending freelance science writers
These stories need a 24h turnaround and cover all areas of science, from medicine to climate change, archaeology and zoology
Details below 👇
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
The @science.org journalists have an update on the recent claim to have found DMS in the atmosphere of #exoplanet K2-18b - explaining some of the community backlash 🔭🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
May 10, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The @science.org journalists have an update on the recent claim to have found DMS in the atmosphere of #exoplanet K2-18b - explaining some of the community backlash 🔭🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Planetary scientists have been really, really mad about DEI-related conference abstracts being taken down from LPI meeting sites. I wrote about it: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
‘Orwellian’: planetary scientists outraged over deletion of research records
Researchers say that a NASA-funded institute is over-interpreting Trump’s anti-DEI order.
www.nature.com
May 9, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Planetary scientists have been really, really mad about DEI-related conference abstracts being taken down from LPI meeting sites. I wrote about it: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
New independent analyses are casting serious doubt on the claimed hints of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b.
“The simplest explanation is just that it’s kind of a boring planet like Neptune or Uranus,” says @distantworlds.space
My first story for @science.org: www.science.org/content/arti...
“The simplest explanation is just that it’s kind of a boring planet like Neptune or Uranus,” says @distantworlds.space
My first story for @science.org: www.science.org/content/arti...
Claim of alien life on distant world meets swift scientific pushback
“The simplest explanation is just that it’s kind of a boring planet like Neptune or Uranus”
www.science.org
May 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
New independent analyses are casting serious doubt on the claimed hints of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b.
“The simplest explanation is just that it’s kind of a boring planet like Neptune or Uranus,” says @distantworlds.space
My first story for @science.org: www.science.org/content/arti...
“The simplest explanation is just that it’s kind of a boring planet like Neptune or Uranus,” says @distantworlds.space
My first story for @science.org: www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
‘Space Advertising’ Could Outshine the Stars—Unless It’s Banned First
Astronomers are racing to protect the dark skies as private companies seek to place large advertisements in Earth orbit
www.scientificamerican.com/article/spac...
Astronomers are racing to protect the dark skies as private companies seek to place large advertisements in Earth orbit
www.scientificamerican.com/article/spac...
Astronomers Fight Ads in Space
Astronomers are racing to protect the dark skies as private companies seek to place large advertisements in Earth orbit
www.scientificamerican.com
March 25, 2025 at 9:18 PM
‘Space Advertising’ Could Outshine the Stars—Unless It’s Banned First
Astronomers are racing to protect the dark skies as private companies seek to place large advertisements in Earth orbit
www.scientificamerican.com/article/spac...
Astronomers are racing to protect the dark skies as private companies seek to place large advertisements in Earth orbit
www.scientificamerican.com/article/spac...
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Hi space people, I'm looking for experts to comment on the upcoming Isar Aerospace launch, and what it means for European rocketry.
If that's you, or you know someone, do get in touch. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, or you know someone, do get in touch. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
March 19, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Hi space people, I'm looking for experts to comment on the upcoming Isar Aerospace launch, and what it means for European rocketry.
If that's you, or you know someone, do get in touch. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, or you know someone, do get in touch. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Particle physicists, need a little help with an article I'm writing:
Why don't neutrinos easily fit into the Standard Model if they have mass? What is the issue there?
Why don't neutrinos easily fit into the Standard Model if they have mass? What is the issue there?
March 18, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Particle physicists, need a little help with an article I'm writing:
Why don't neutrinos easily fit into the Standard Model if they have mass? What is the issue there?
Why don't neutrinos easily fit into the Standard Model if they have mass? What is the issue there?
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Hello space people, I'm looking for experts to comment on the NASA cuts from a US/European perspective, and what this will mean for science moving forwards.
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks
March 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Hello space people, I'm looking for experts to comment on the NASA cuts from a US/European perspective, and what this will mean for science moving forwards.
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Hi all, I'm looking for experts on supersonic travel, and what recent interest in the field means, to comment for a feature in WIRED.
If that's you, or you know someone, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, or you know someone, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
March 3, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Hi all, I'm looking for experts on supersonic travel, and what recent interest in the field means, to comment for a feature in WIRED.
If that's you, or you know someone, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, or you know someone, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
I'm at reporter at the Atlantic looking to speak to any NWS meteorologist, past or present, about what it takes to get forecasts to the public. DMs are open, and I'm zoeschlanger.99 on Signal.
February 27, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I'm at reporter at the Atlantic looking to speak to any NWS meteorologist, past or present, about what it takes to get forecasts to the public. DMs are open, and I'm zoeschlanger.99 on Signal.
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
This morning, the US National Science Foundation fired 168 employees, approximately 10% of its workforce, for no cause other than they were the agency's most recent hires. 🧪
Co-workers are leaving supportive messages before they have to clear out of the building at 5 p.m. Sent to me by a source ⬇️
Co-workers are leaving supportive messages before they have to clear out of the building at 5 p.m. Sent to me by a source ⬇️
February 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
This morning, the US National Science Foundation fired 168 employees, approximately 10% of its workforce, for no cause other than they were the agency's most recent hires. 🧪
Co-workers are leaving supportive messages before they have to clear out of the building at 5 p.m. Sent to me by a source ⬇️
Co-workers are leaving supportive messages before they have to clear out of the building at 5 p.m. Sent to me by a source ⬇️
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Changes in NASA's workforce, by year, since 1959. Today will mark the largest involuntary reduction in staffing since the end of Apollo. The difference is that, right now, NASA is trying to spin up a Moon program instead of end one.
February 18, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Changes in NASA's workforce, by year, since 1959. Today will mark the largest involuntary reduction in staffing since the end of Apollo. The difference is that, right now, NASA is trying to spin up a Moon program instead of end one.
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Got quoted as one of the alarmed scientists in this piece by @skuthunur.bsky.social on the editing of Vera Rubin's biography
🧪🎢🔭
www.space.com/the-universe...
🧪🎢🔭
www.space.com/the-universe...
Scientists alarmed as Rubin Observatory changes biography of astronomer Vera Rubin amid Trump's push to end DEI efforts
"The idea that they can somehow obliterate these sources is dead wrong — scientists in general and astronomers in particular are not going to take these threats lying down."
www.space.com
February 11, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Got quoted as one of the alarmed scientists in this piece by @skuthunur.bsky.social on the editing of Vera Rubin's biography
🧪🎢🔭
www.space.com/the-universe...
🧪🎢🔭
www.space.com/the-universe...
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Hello space people, I am looking for experts on life support systems for space stations for a feature I am working on.
If that's you, or you know somebody, do get in touch. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, or you know somebody, do get in touch. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
February 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Hello space people, I am looking for experts on life support systems for space stations for a feature I am working on.
If that's you, or you know somebody, do get in touch. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, or you know somebody, do get in touch. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
OK, since the cat's out of the bag (and we're official) I'm happy to report we were granted time to use JWST to look at #2024YR4 and measure its size in about a month. :) 🔭🛰️
NEW: There is a small chance that an asteroid will strike Earth in 2032. What can we do? Well, first, we track it, and study it, very closely.
Here's how that's done—and why, for the first first time, JWST has joined forces with planetary defenders. www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
Here's how that's done—and why, for the first first time, JWST has joined forces with planetary defenders. www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...
This asteroid may hit Earth in 2032. Don't panic—scientists have a plan.
Space agencies have systems in place to spot, track, and forecast the future orbits of potentially hazardous asteroids.
www.nationalgeographic.com
February 5, 2025 at 9:45 PM
OK, since the cat's out of the bag (and we're official) I'm happy to report we were granted time to use JWST to look at #2024YR4 and measure its size in about a month. :) 🔭🛰️
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
For New Scientist, I interviewed the absolutely wonderful Dr. Philip Metzger about lunar regolith, the importance of moon dirt for settlement on the moon, and how he became the truly iconic scientist he is today:
The physicist trying to build humanity's lunar future with moon dirt
When it comes to sending humans back to the moon, knowing how to work with the regolith that coats the ground will be make-or-break. Phil Metzger is studying how to mitigate its dangers and use it as…
buff.ly
January 27, 2025 at 8:51 PM
For New Scientist, I interviewed the absolutely wonderful Dr. Philip Metzger about lunar regolith, the importance of moon dirt for settlement on the moon, and how he became the truly iconic scientist he is today:
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Well, big news. I am planning to move the Space Library to a new home. And I need some help - in 35 years I've never asked for funding, donations or subscriptions for my Space Report, to keep it independent, but now I need to raise some additional funds.
www.gofundme.com/f/fund-jonat...
www.gofundme.com/f/fund-jonat...
Donate to Fund Jonathan's Space Report Library Transition, organized by Jonathan McDowell
For 35 years I've been sharing information about space exploration w… Jonathan McDowell needs your support for Fund Jonathan's Space Report Library Transition
www.gofundme.com
January 22, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Well, big news. I am planning to move the Space Library to a new home. And I need some help - in 35 years I've never asked for funding, donations or subscriptions for my Space Report, to keep it independent, but now I need to raise some additional funds.
www.gofundme.com/f/fund-jonat...
www.gofundme.com/f/fund-jonat...
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
NASA JPL chief Laurie Leshin says that over 150 staffers at the research center have lost their homes in the LA fires; the lab has set up a relief fund to help them out, which you can support here: caltech.imodules.com/controls/ema...
caltech.imodules.com
January 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
NASA JPL chief Laurie Leshin says that over 150 staffers at the research center have lost their homes in the LA fires; the lab has set up a relief fund to help them out, which you can support here: caltech.imodules.com/controls/ema...
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
NASA will hold a media telecon on Tuesday, Jan 7, at 1:00 pm ET, to provide an update on the Mars Sample Return program. Audio will stream on NASA Live. www.nasa.gov/news-release...
NASA to Host Media Call Highlighting Mars Sample Return Update - NASA
NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST, Tuesday, Jan. 7, to provide an update on the status of the agency’s Mars Sample Return Program.
www.nasa.gov
January 3, 2025 at 10:00 PM
NASA will hold a media telecon on Tuesday, Jan 7, at 1:00 pm ET, to provide an update on the Mars Sample Return program. Audio will stream on NASA Live. www.nasa.gov/news-release...
Reposted by Sharmila Kuthunur
Are you a working journalist? Want to help aspiring journalists learn to write the bread-and-butter stories that they'll be assigned at their first job? I'm looking for some quick expert advice. Thanks! forms.gle/KhaTuj7mCghQ...
Share your expertise with Your First Byline
I'm looking for some working journalists who can answer a quick email to help me put together some guides for aspiring and early-career reporters on those tried-and-true stories we all end up doing at...
forms.gle
December 30, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Are you a working journalist? Want to help aspiring journalists learn to write the bread-and-butter stories that they'll be assigned at their first job? I'm looking for some quick expert advice. Thanks! forms.gle/KhaTuj7mCghQ...