UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
@ucl-bbk-cps.bsky.social
News and activities from the Centre for Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck, a leading centre for planetary science in the UK. With experts from UCL depts of Earth Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Space & Climate Physics (MSSL) and Birkbeck Natural Sciences.
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UK Planetary Forum Early Careers Meeting 2026 - Registration open!
The 19th UKPF Early Careers Meeting will take place on Friday 9th January 2026, hosted by the Centre for Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck. Registration is now open. Abstract deadline: 31st October.
www.ucl.ac.uk
Registration and abstract submission open! Calling all UK-based Early-Career Planetary Scientists 🪐 🌒 ☄️ 🚀
Please join us for the 19th UK Planetary Forum Early Careers Meeting on 9th January 2026, hosted by the Centre for Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck, in London.
www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical...
Please join us for the 19th UK Planetary Forum Early Careers Meeting on 9th January 2026, hosted by the Centre for Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck, in London.
www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical...
Thinking of our wonderful colleague Professor Graziella Branduardi-Raymont based at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory @uclmaps.bsky.social. Graziella was the SMILE Co-Principal Investigator before her passing last November. No doubt she would have been thrilled with this news 💙🚀☀️
🆕 #Smile passes qualification & flight acceptance review, meeting all requirements for launch.
🚀 The joint European-Chinese mission will launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.
📆 Launch window is set for 8 April to 7 May 2026.
Find out more👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🧪☀️
🚀 The joint European-Chinese mission will launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.
📆 Launch window is set for 8 April to 7 May 2026.
Find out more👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🧪☀️
November 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Thinking of our wonderful colleague Professor Graziella Branduardi-Raymont based at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory @uclmaps.bsky.social. Graziella was the SMILE Co-Principal Investigator before her passing last November. No doubt she would have been thrilled with this news 💙🚀☀️
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
🆕 #Smile passes qualification & flight acceptance review, meeting all requirements for launch.
🚀 The joint European-Chinese mission will launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.
📆 Launch window is set for 8 April to 7 May 2026.
Find out more👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🧪☀️
🚀 The joint European-Chinese mission will launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.
📆 Launch window is set for 8 April to 7 May 2026.
Find out more👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🧪☀️
November 20, 2025 at 1:05 PM
🆕 #Smile passes qualification & flight acceptance review, meeting all requirements for launch.
🚀 The joint European-Chinese mission will launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.
📆 Launch window is set for 8 April to 7 May 2026.
Find out more👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🧪☀️
🚀 The joint European-Chinese mission will launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.
📆 Launch window is set for 8 April to 7 May 2026.
Find out more👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🧪☀️
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
We have a PhD opportunity at the University of Reading focused on analysing Jupiter and Saturn auroral observations!
Title: Investigating Earth-like responses to the Solar Wind in Gas Giant Upper Atmospheres
Supervisor: me!
Full description/application portal:
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Title: Investigating Earth-like responses to the Solar Wind in Gas Giant Upper Atmospheres
Supervisor: me!
Full description/application portal:
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Crocus DLA
crocus-dla.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
We have a PhD opportunity at the University of Reading focused on analysing Jupiter and Saturn auroral observations!
Title: Investigating Earth-like responses to the Solar Wind in Gas Giant Upper Atmospheres
Supervisor: me!
Full description/application portal:
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Title: Investigating Earth-like responses to the Solar Wind in Gas Giant Upper Atmospheres
Supervisor: me!
Full description/application portal:
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
NASA will host a live event at 3 p.m. EST, Wednesday, Nov. 19, to share imagery of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS collected by a number of the agency’s missions. The event will take place at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. www.nasa.gov/news-release... ☄️🔭
NASA to Share Comet 3I/ATLAS Images From Spacecraft, Telescopes - NASA
NASA will host a live event at 3 p.m. EST, Wednesday, Nov. 19, to share imagery of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS collected by a number of the agency’s
www.nasa.gov
November 17, 2025 at 10:04 PM
NASA will host a live event at 3 p.m. EST, Wednesday, Nov. 19, to share imagery of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS collected by a number of the agency’s missions. The event will take place at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. www.nasa.gov/news-release... ☄️🔭
🤩 CPS member Dr Paola Pinilla is based at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory in Surrey @uclmaps.bsky.social where she leads a research group of postdocs and students on the topic of planet formation ☀️🌀🪐
It's been an informative and inspiring morning here at our Early Career Event.
RAS Award winner Dr Paola Pinilla, data scientist Dr Robert Shore and geologist Professor Chris Jackson have been among the speakers offering advice and sharing experiences they've encountered during their careers. 🪐🖥️🌋
RAS Award winner Dr Paola Pinilla, data scientist Dr Robert Shore and geologist Professor Chris Jackson have been among the speakers offering advice and sharing experiences they've encountered during their careers. 🪐🖥️🌋
November 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🤩 CPS member Dr Paola Pinilla is based at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory in Surrey @uclmaps.bsky.social where she leads a research group of postdocs and students on the topic of planet formation ☀️🌀🪐
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
It's been an informative and inspiring morning here at our Early Career Event.
RAS Award winner Dr Paola Pinilla, data scientist Dr Robert Shore and geologist Professor Chris Jackson have been among the speakers offering advice and sharing experiences they've encountered during their careers. 🪐🖥️🌋
RAS Award winner Dr Paola Pinilla, data scientist Dr Robert Shore and geologist Professor Chris Jackson have been among the speakers offering advice and sharing experiences they've encountered during their careers. 🪐🖥️🌋
November 14, 2025 at 12:15 PM
It's been an informative and inspiring morning here at our Early Career Event.
RAS Award winner Dr Paola Pinilla, data scientist Dr Robert Shore and geologist Professor Chris Jackson have been among the speakers offering advice and sharing experiences they've encountered during their careers. 🪐🖥️🌋
RAS Award winner Dr Paola Pinilla, data scientist Dr Robert Shore and geologist Professor Chris Jackson have been among the speakers offering advice and sharing experiences they've encountered during their careers. 🪐🖥️🌋
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
🛰️ New Europlanet webinar with @esa.int's Juice mission! This webinar will outline the current status of radar sounding for Earth observation and its connection to RIME’s science for the exploration of the Jupiter icy moons 👉 Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
🛰️ New Europlanet webinar with @esa.int's Juice mission! This webinar will outline the current status of radar sounding for Earth observation and its connection to RIME’s science for the exploration of the Jupiter icy moons 👉 Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
🚀 New Europlanet Webinar! We'll talk about the sulphur cycle in the atmosphere of Venus, with fresh results and what insights they might bring >> Register 👉 us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 17, 2025 at 8:23 AM
🚀 New Europlanet Webinar! We'll talk about the sulphur cycle in the atmosphere of Venus, with fresh results and what insights they might bring >> Register 👉 us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
🚨Event alert🚨
Have you registered your attendance for 'The Impact of UK Planetary Geoscience' conference at the Geological Society of London?
📅 27 Nov
🎟️ Reduced rates for @royalastrosoc.bsky.social Fellows
📝 Registration closes 26 Nov
ℹ️ geolsoc.org.uk/events/the-impact-of-uk-planetary-geoscience
Have you registered your attendance for 'The Impact of UK Planetary Geoscience' conference at the Geological Society of London?
📅 27 Nov
🎟️ Reduced rates for @royalastrosoc.bsky.social Fellows
📝 Registration closes 26 Nov
ℹ️ geolsoc.org.uk/events/the-impact-of-uk-planetary-geoscience
November 18, 2025 at 12:50 PM
🚨Event alert🚨
Have you registered your attendance for 'The Impact of UK Planetary Geoscience' conference at the Geological Society of London?
📅 27 Nov
🎟️ Reduced rates for @royalastrosoc.bsky.social Fellows
📝 Registration closes 26 Nov
ℹ️ geolsoc.org.uk/events/the-impact-of-uk-planetary-geoscience
Have you registered your attendance for 'The Impact of UK Planetary Geoscience' conference at the Geological Society of London?
📅 27 Nov
🎟️ Reduced rates for @royalastrosoc.bsky.social Fellows
📝 Registration closes 26 Nov
ℹ️ geolsoc.org.uk/events/the-impact-of-uk-planetary-geoscience
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
📣 Announcement📣
We are aware that as a result of the Cloudflare outage some people are having problems accessing the ScholarOne submission system.
If you are trying to submit a paper to one of our journals #MNRAS, #GJI or #RASTI and need to speak to the editorial office, email publishing@ras.ac.uk
We are aware that as a result of the Cloudflare outage some people are having problems accessing the ScholarOne submission system.
If you are trying to submit a paper to one of our journals #MNRAS, #GJI or #RASTI and need to speak to the editorial office, email publishing@ras.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
When you look at it like this, every moment of hot air is especially inexcusable. Please share from my science colleagues at #COP30
planetarysciencepavilion.org/2025/11/14/s...
planetarysciencepavilion.org/2025/11/14/s...
Statement from Scientists at the Planetary Science Pavilion, about the current state of COP negotiations - Planetary Science Pavilion
Belém, November 14, 2025. Most of the CO2 budget that would push warming to 1.5°C has already been emitted, mainly by the world’s major economies. Now, midway through the decade, when global emissions...
planetarysciencepavilion.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 AM
When you look at it like this, every moment of hot air is especially inexcusable. Please share from my science colleagues at #COP30
planetarysciencepavilion.org/2025/11/14/s...
planetarysciencepavilion.org/2025/11/14/s...
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
A #CosmicVision mission, #ESAAriel is one of three ESA missions dedicated to studying exoplanets.
Its goal? Inspect the atmospheres of a thousand such planets, ranging from rocky planets to gas giants.
1/ #CM25 🔭
Its goal? Inspect the atmospheres of a thousand such planets, ranging from rocky planets to gas giants.
1/ #CM25 🔭
November 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM
A #CosmicVision mission, #ESAAriel is one of three ESA missions dedicated to studying exoplanets.
Its goal? Inspect the atmospheres of a thousand such planets, ranging from rocky planets to gas giants.
1/ #CM25 🔭
Its goal? Inspect the atmospheres of a thousand such planets, ranging from rocky planets to gas giants.
1/ #CM25 🔭
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
#IslamophobiaAwarenessMonth is here!
Flipping the Script is all about challenging stereotypes and supporting Muslim staff and students.
Learn how to be an active bystander, access networks, and create a safer, more inclusive @ucl.ac.uk: tinyurl.com/ucl-iam25
#UCLGeography #FlippingTheScript
Flipping the Script is all about challenging stereotypes and supporting Muslim staff and students.
Learn how to be an active bystander, access networks, and create a safer, more inclusive @ucl.ac.uk: tinyurl.com/ucl-iam25
#UCLGeography #FlippingTheScript
Islamophobia Awareness Month: November 2025
November is Islamophobia Awareness Month. This year’s theme invites us all to challenge stereotypes and prejudices – find out how to get involved, including a lunch and learn session, links to network...
ucl.ac.uk
November 13, 2025 at 10:53 AM
#IslamophobiaAwarenessMonth is here!
Flipping the Script is all about challenging stereotypes and supporting Muslim staff and students.
Learn how to be an active bystander, access networks, and create a safer, more inclusive @ucl.ac.uk: tinyurl.com/ucl-iam25
#UCLGeography #FlippingTheScript
Flipping the Script is all about challenging stereotypes and supporting Muslim staff and students.
Learn how to be an active bystander, access networks, and create a safer, more inclusive @ucl.ac.uk: tinyurl.com/ucl-iam25
#UCLGeography #FlippingTheScript
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
#CometInterceptor will be the first mission to visit a comet coming directly from the outer reaches of the Sun's realm, carrying material untouched since the dawn of the Solar System.
Part of #CosmicVision, Comet Interceptor is an ESA-led mission in collaboration with JAXA.
1/ #CM25 🔭
Part of #CosmicVision, Comet Interceptor is an ESA-led mission in collaboration with JAXA.
1/ #CM25 🔭
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
#CometInterceptor will be the first mission to visit a comet coming directly from the outer reaches of the Sun's realm, carrying material untouched since the dawn of the Solar System.
Part of #CosmicVision, Comet Interceptor is an ESA-led mission in collaboration with JAXA.
1/ #CM25 🔭
Part of #CosmicVision, Comet Interceptor is an ESA-led mission in collaboration with JAXA.
1/ #CM25 🔭
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
Only a few days left! 📅⌛
Time is running out to submit applications for the Norman Lockyer Fellowship, offered to outstanding candidates to enable them to pursue research in the UK in the disciplines advanced by the RAS.
⤵️
Time is running out to submit applications for the Norman Lockyer Fellowship, offered to outstanding candidates to enable them to pursue research in the UK in the disciplines advanced by the RAS.
⤵️
November 11, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Only a few days left! 📅⌛
Time is running out to submit applications for the Norman Lockyer Fellowship, offered to outstanding candidates to enable them to pursue research in the UK in the disciplines advanced by the RAS.
⤵️
Time is running out to submit applications for the Norman Lockyer Fellowship, offered to outstanding candidates to enable them to pursue research in the UK in the disciplines advanced by the RAS.
⤵️
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
IAS Book Launch: Galaxies 🌌✨🚀
26 November 2025, 6pm-8pm
Join us at the IAS for a double book launch dedicated to galaxies. We welcome authors Richard Ellis (When Galaxies were Born) and Or Graur (Galaxies).
www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of...
26 November 2025, 6pm-8pm
Join us at the IAS for a double book launch dedicated to galaxies. We welcome authors Richard Ellis (When Galaxies were Born) and Or Graur (Galaxies).
www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of...
IAS Book Launch: Galaxies
Join us at the IAS for a double book launch dedicated to galaxies. We welcome authors Richard Ellis (When Galaxies were Born) and Or Graur (Galaxies).
www.ucl.ac.uk
November 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
IAS Book Launch: Galaxies 🌌✨🚀
26 November 2025, 6pm-8pm
Join us at the IAS for a double book launch dedicated to galaxies. We welcome authors Richard Ellis (When Galaxies were Born) and Or Graur (Galaxies).
www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of...
26 November 2025, 6pm-8pm
Join us at the IAS for a double book launch dedicated to galaxies. We welcome authors Richard Ellis (When Galaxies were Born) and Or Graur (Galaxies).
www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of...
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
The paper is open access for all to read and can be found here - doi.org/10.1093/mnra...
Determining the impact of post-main-sequence stellar evolution on the transiting giant planet population
ABSTRACT. The post-main-sequence evolution of stars is expected to impact the exoplanets residing on close-in orbits around them. Using photometric data fr
doi.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The paper is open access for all to read and can be found here - doi.org/10.1093/mnra...
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
The ageing of host stars can be catastrophic for planets!
Our new research into this planet population shows that the evolution of stars causes giant planets to spiral into their host stars and be destroyed.
Check out the press release below and paper (published in MNRAS today!) for more
Our new research into this planet population shows that the evolution of stars causes giant planets to spiral into their host stars and be destroyed.
Check out the press release below and paper (published in MNRAS today!) for more
🚨New research alert🚨
Ever wondered what might happen to Earth and the other planets in our solar system when the Sun becomes a red giant in 5 billion years? ☀️🔴
Ever wondered what might happen to Earth and the other planets in our solar system when the Sun becomes a red giant in 5 billion years? ☀️🔴
November 5, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The ageing of host stars can be catastrophic for planets!
Our new research into this planet population shows that the evolution of stars causes giant planets to spiral into their host stars and be destroyed.
Check out the press release below and paper (published in MNRAS today!) for more
Our new research into this planet population shows that the evolution of stars causes giant planets to spiral into their host stars and be destroyed.
Check out the press release below and paper (published in MNRAS today!) for more
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
Space swimsuits at the ready! 🧑🚀🩱
The latest episode of The Supermassive Podcast explores Mars' wet past and includes a guest appearance from RAS Librarian Sian Prosser.
When did the red planet have water? Where did it go? And were there canals on Mars? 🔴🌊
🎧 Listen at: podfollow.com/supermassive/
The latest episode of The Supermassive Podcast explores Mars' wet past and includes a guest appearance from RAS Librarian Sian Prosser.
When did the red planet have water? Where did it go? And were there canals on Mars? 🔴🌊
🎧 Listen at: podfollow.com/supermassive/
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Space swimsuits at the ready! 🧑🚀🩱
The latest episode of The Supermassive Podcast explores Mars' wet past and includes a guest appearance from RAS Librarian Sian Prosser.
When did the red planet have water? Where did it go? And were there canals on Mars? 🔴🌊
🎧 Listen at: podfollow.com/supermassive/
The latest episode of The Supermassive Podcast explores Mars' wet past and includes a guest appearance from RAS Librarian Sian Prosser.
When did the red planet have water? Where did it go? And were there canals on Mars? 🔴🌊
🎧 Listen at: podfollow.com/supermassive/
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
This year's Caroline Herschel Medal will celebrate an outstanding woman astronomer based in Germany.🏅🔭👩🔬
All women may apply and together with the @germanastrosoc.bsky.social we welcome self-nominations.
Find out more at: ras.ac.uk/awards-and-g...
All women may apply and together with the @germanastrosoc.bsky.social we welcome self-nominations.
Find out more at: ras.ac.uk/awards-and-g...
November 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
This year's Caroline Herschel Medal will celebrate an outstanding woman astronomer based in Germany.🏅🔭👩🔬
All women may apply and together with the @germanastrosoc.bsky.social we welcome self-nominations.
Find out more at: ras.ac.uk/awards-and-g...
All women may apply and together with the @germanastrosoc.bsky.social we welcome self-nominations.
Find out more at: ras.ac.uk/awards-and-g...
A study led by CPS colleagues Dr Ed Bryant (now @uni-of-warwick.bsky.social) and Associate Professor in Exoplanets, Dr Vincent Van Eylen at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory @uclmaps.bsky.social ☀️🪐
Well, a @ucl.ac.uk and @uni-of-warwick.bsky.social study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society suggests it's not good news for Jupiter and Saturn. 🪐
Read more at: ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Read more at: ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Ageing stars may be destroying their closest planets
Ageing stars may be destroying the giant planets orbiting closest to them, new research shows – offering a glimpse into the possible fate of the likes of Jupiter a...
ras.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 2:46 PM
A study led by CPS colleagues Dr Ed Bryant (now @uni-of-warwick.bsky.social) and Associate Professor in Exoplanets, Dr Vincent Van Eylen at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory @uclmaps.bsky.social ☀️🪐
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
🚨New research alert🚨
Ever wondered what might happen to Earth and the other planets in our solar system when the Sun becomes a red giant in 5 billion years? ☀️🔴
Ever wondered what might happen to Earth and the other planets in our solar system when the Sun becomes a red giant in 5 billion years? ☀️🔴
November 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
🚨New research alert🚨
Ever wondered what might happen to Earth and the other planets in our solar system when the Sun becomes a red giant in 5 billion years? ☀️🔴
Ever wondered what might happen to Earth and the other planets in our solar system when the Sun becomes a red giant in 5 billion years? ☀️🔴
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
🗞️ Join us online on 12 November for Europlanet Teams Day! A unique opportunity to help you find new collaborators, discover funding and training opportunities and connect with the wider Europlanet community.
Register now 👉 bit.ly/europlanet_teamsday
Register now 👉 bit.ly/europlanet_teamsday
November 4, 2025 at 8:42 AM
🗞️ Join us online on 12 November for Europlanet Teams Day! A unique opportunity to help you find new collaborators, discover funding and training opportunities and connect with the wider Europlanet community.
Register now 👉 bit.ly/europlanet_teamsday
Register now 👉 bit.ly/europlanet_teamsday
Reposted by UCL-Birkbeck Planetary Science
Super opportunity for Early Career Researchers! 👇
✨ Are you an Early Career Researcher in planetary science and related fields looking for funding? The Europlanet Ireland & UK Hub invites applications for the 2025 ECR Fund: www.europlanet.org/ireland-uk-h...
November 4, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Super opportunity for Early Career Researchers! 👇