Nicholas Cross
@wfastronomer.bsky.social
Astronomer, survey data processor. Works in the Wide Field Astronomy Unit at the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh. Working on WFCAM/VISTA Science Archives and ESA-Euclid. Runner.
Yesterday there was a large fire on Arthur’s Seat. I can’t see any obvious signs this morning, at least not from this distance.
August 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Yesterday there was a large fire on Arthur’s Seat. I can’t see any obvious signs this morning, at least not from this distance.
I think there were only Nationalist troops in that area. The memorials mention Chiang Kai Shek, and American soldiers too.
July 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I think there were only Nationalist troops in that area. The memorials mention Chiang Kai Shek, and American soldiers too.
A couple of fire engines were at the Royal Observatory, and hoses were connected to water at the site.
May 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
A couple of fire engines were at the Royal Observatory, and hoses were connected to water at the site.
Sunset across the River Plate from Colonia del Sacremento. Tomorrow we cross from Uruguay to Argentina. #sunset #southamerica
April 14, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Sunset across the River Plate from Colonia del Sacremento. Tomorrow we cross from Uruguay to Argentina. #sunset #southamerica
At a meeting on Ihla Caterina in Brazil, near the city of Florianopolis. Today it chucked it down, and became really heavy rain at lunchtime. Several people got warnings on their phones. We were about to start the afternoon session when the room flooded.
April 10, 2025 at 5:21 PM
At a meeting on Ihla Caterina in Brazil, near the city of Florianopolis. Today it chucked it down, and became really heavy rain at lunchtime. Several people got warnings on their phones. We were about to start the afternoon session when the room flooded.
Florianopolis, on a small island just of the coast of southern Brazil. One of my VISTA Variables in Via Lactea (VVV) colleagues works here and organized a meeting.
April 7, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Florianopolis, on a small island just of the coast of southern Brazil. One of my VISTA Variables in Via Lactea (VVV) colleagues works here and organized a meeting.
Oh Scotland! I get 2 red aurora alerts today. One is during the day, when it was lovely and sunny. One is at night, hurrah, but it is cloudy!!
March 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Oh Scotland! I get 2 red aurora alerts today. One is during the day, when it was lovely and sunny. One is at night, hurrah, but it is cloudy!!
Is this the most useless bike lane in the world? A 3m length through a traffic calming feature that invariably has cars parked one or both sides. #bikelanes
March 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Is this the most useless bike lane in the world? A 3m length through a traffic calming feature that invariably has cars parked one or both sides. #bikelanes
Braid Hills run close to sunset. strava.app.link/6k2jNUnWLQb
February 6, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Braid Hills run close to sunset. strava.app.link/6k2jNUnWLQb
Early morning run up Arthur’s Seat with an old friend. He is visiting his daughter who is a student in Edinburgh. #ukrunchat. 6km 300m elevation.
January 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Early morning run up Arthur’s Seat with an old friend. He is visiting his daughter who is a student in Edinburgh. #ukrunchat. 6km 300m elevation.
One item I bought in Turkey: a coffee pot. I already had some Turkish coffee which my wife had brought back but the cafetière didn’t do a great job with it. Watched a video about how to make it. Might need a bit of practice.
January 19, 2025 at 11:44 AM
One item I bought in Turkey: a coffee pot. I already had some Turkish coffee which my wife had brought back but the cafetière didn’t do a great job with it. Watched a video about how to make it. Might need a bit of practice.
Funnily enough I am currently at Ephesus. I went around the ancient site yesterday and the archeological museum today and also the Temple of Artemis (was one of the Wonders of the World, but now a field with a column and some stones).
January 12, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Funnily enough I am currently at Ephesus. I went around the ancient site yesterday and the archeological museum today and also the Temple of Artemis (was one of the Wonders of the World, but now a field with a column and some stones).
As well as the marriage certificate from the last set, there is a divorce certificate, so divorce is also at least 4000 years old, as is slavery and the making of wills. Another treaty too.
January 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
As well as the marriage certificate from the last set, there is a divorce certificate, so divorce is also at least 4000 years old, as is slavery and the making of wills. Another treaty too.
More types: discussion of treaty to improve trade between kings, a king boasting of defeating many enemies, a punishment for a criminal and a marriage certificate. We are not so different from our ancestors.
January 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
More types: discussion of treaty to improve trade between kings, a king boasting of defeating many enemies, a punishment for a criminal and a marriage certificate. We are not so different from our ancestors.
I loved the cuneiform writing during Assyrian times and later. 4000 years old and a wide range of subjects.
January 7, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I loved the cuneiform writing during Assyrian times and later. 4000 years old and a wide range of subjects.
Went to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara today. It is not a massive museum but so much interesting stuff. Earliest settlements in Anatolia date back almost 10,000 years. Possibly the oldest in the world, as farming started in the Fertile Crescent.
January 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Went to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara today. It is not a massive museum but so much interesting stuff. Earliest settlements in Anatolia date back almost 10,000 years. Possibly the oldest in the world, as farming started in the Fertile Crescent.
Pea birds from a neighbour invading my parents’ garden. My mum calls them pests but I think she quite likes them. Bigger and more colourful than the usual visitors.
December 25, 2024 at 11:02 AM
Pea birds from a neighbour invading my parents’ garden. My mum calls them pests but I think she quite likes them. Bigger and more colourful than the usual visitors.
Decided upstairs was better
December 4, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Decided upstairs was better
It is a lot busier now. I should have left home a little earlier to get a good seat.
December 4, 2024 at 7:23 PM
It is a lot busier now. I should have left home a little earlier to get a good seat.
A clear, sunny morning in Edinburgh. A frosty start, but I am very lucky to work at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh. The view from the cafeteria balcony above my office is spectacular.
November 18, 2024 at 11:18 AM
A clear, sunny morning in Edinburgh. A frosty start, but I am very lucky to work at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh. The view from the cafeteria balcony above my office is spectacular.