Royal Astronomical Society
@RoyalAstroSoc
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We encourage and promote astronomy, solar system science, and geophysics in the UK and worldwide.
Burlington House, London
Joined March 2010
It's 4pm! Time to explain what we've been so excited about - here's your 60 second overview of #VenusNews. Don't forget you can watch our press conference featuring the lead author of the study, Professor Jane Greaves of @cardiffuni, getting started:
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We have detected a gas called "phosphine" in the atmosphere of Venus, says @jgreaves6. This could point to the presence of life in the clouds of Venus. Their study is published in the journal Nature Astronomy and will be free to access today. #VenusNews.
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You may have heard a rumour that we're announcing something big this afternoon - well of course we want you to be the first to know what's going on so stayed tuned here. At 4pm this video will go live and we'll also be live-streaming our press conference.
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Searching for the truth? Go direct to the source. Tune in to our press briefing this afternoon to hear directly from the lead scientist involved some exciting new research. We go live on our YouTube channel at 4pm - click here to set a reminder:
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Everything you need to know about the exciting announcement that phosphine has been detected in the atmosphere of Venus. Let's start off with the 60 second overview. #Venus #VenusNews
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Two possibilities - there could be some completely unknown reaction that is creating phosphine, or the more exciting one, that it could be life, says William Bains. #VenusNews.
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At its meeting in July, the governing council of the RAS made a decision to write to the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA to express its concerns about the original JWST naming process and the apparent failure to investigate James Webb’s background.
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A partial solar eclipse is taking place tomorrow, and it will be visible across the UK! The Moon will pass right in front of the Sun, blotting out up to around 25% of its disc. 🌞🌚. 📷: Robin Scagell/Galaxy
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Astronomers from @UniofNewcastle have found that supermassive black holes obscured by dust are more likely to grow & release tremendous amounts of energy when they are inside galaxies that are expected to collide with a neighbouring galaxy. 🌌. Learn more:
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The two-week #IAUGA2024 conference is now in full flow. Interested in 'Discovering the Universe' too? Check out @RoyalAstroSoc 😊. #Astronomy2024
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It's National Women's Day in South Africa and @astronomy2024 is celebrating in style with a day of lunches and events for delegates and the public!. #Astronomy2024
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Today marks the beginning of arrivals for the start of #IAUGA2024! . The skies in Cape Town may be dark and gloomy but the mood here is bright and sunny! Excitement is building for the conference from 6-15 August 🙂. @RoyalAstroSoc is here to represent 🔭 💫 . #Astronomy2024
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The IAU's @astronomy2024 has now entered its second week. But the astronomy didn't just stop because it was the weekend 🔭💫 . There were planetarium shows, observatory tours and community visits 😅. #IAUGA2024
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Did you see a shooting star last night? 💫 . If not, you'll have another chance to see one tonight as the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak today and tomorrow. And if you manage to snap a picture, make sure you tag @RoyalAstroSoc!. #Perseids
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It's a #NAM2024 bonus!. Another great story to come out of this month's @hullrasnam2024 is the way astro-skills are being used to help people on Earth. From spotting supernovas to foiling floods, the new @LancasterUni project will see @the_zooniverse deployed to Sudan.
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Today is the LAST day to submit nominations for the @RoyalAstroSoc's 2025 Awards. 🏅🏆 . The Society presents a number of medals and prizes as part of its remit to support & encourage scientists in the fields of astronomy and geophysics 💫 . Nominate at:
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We're looking for a Marketing and Events Officer to join our team. If you're interested in helping us share the best of astronomy and geophysics with the wider world by developing marketing campaigns & promoting our events, why not apply?👇 . More info:
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How could the upcoming missions to Venus tell us more about whether the hellish world might be suitable for life?. @Phliptish discusses this and more with @IzzieClarke and @drbecky_ in the latest episode of The Supermassive Podcast from the @RoyalAstroSoc.
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It's the penultimate day of @astronomy2024 and great to see the @RoyalAstroSoc 2024 Annie Maunder Medal winners here! . @africa_mm_tel are doing great outreach work, definitely popular here 🙂 @iau_org. #Astronomy2024
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A new study, published in #MNRAS, has discovered the first known permanent immigrant to our Solar System. The asteroid, currently nestling in Jupiter’s orbit, is the first known asteroid to have been captured from another star system.
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Do you have experience of academic publishing? Are you interested in joining the @RAS_Journals editorial team as Managing Editor as the #MNRAS approaches its bicentenary?. Find out more about this exciting opportunity at: . Closing date: 20 September 2024
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This will get your head spinning! 🪐 😵. Watch the clip below to see every planet in the solar system to scale in size, rotation speed and axial tilt. The animation was created by planetary scientist @physicsJ, who is the speaker at our final public lecture of the season. (1/2)
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In early December, northern hemisphere observers will enjoy their best view of Mars until the 2030s. The red planet will be high in UK skies and will appear brighter than any star. ✨. Learn how to observe the planet at the link below 👇.
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Margaret Hamilton of the Apollo project, next to her code written by hand and used to land on the Moon. Credit: NASA
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Calling all you teachers! . Are you passionate about the work of the @RoyalAstroSoc and keen to inspire and engage the wider public in one of the most exciting areas of science?. We're looking for an Education and Outreach Officer. Want to apply?. Visit:
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Have you read August's copy of A&G magazine?. It looks at how galaxies develop gradients in the abundance of elements beyond hydrogen and helium - those elements that make planets and people. It's still not entirely clear how this happens 🤔 . Read it at:
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The RAS notes with dismay recent comments made about girls in physics. These stereotypes are extremely outdated and can be very damaging. Physics is a subject for everyone, and no one should be discouraged from studying it.
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Earlier this year we published a special collection of papers celebrating 100 years of @RAS_Journals' Geophysical Journal International. The hope is that they inspire those early in their careers and provide a reminder of the many great papers published over the last century.
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To celebrate our bicentenary, @RoyalMailStamps has launched a stunning new set of stamps showcasing 'visions of the universe'. Available for pre-order today! #rasstamps #ras2020 #bicentrivia
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Did you study #geophysics but now use your skills in a different area? Or have you remained a geophysicist ever since studying the field as an undergraduate? Maybe you became a geophysicist despite studying a different degree?. Either way, @britgeophysics wants to hear from you!
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Want to have a guided tour of the @RoyalAstroSoc as part of our historic Open House event next month?. We are celebrating 150 years at our home, New Burlington House. Learn about the history of astronomy and check out a unique display of books and artefacts in our library. (1/3)
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Want an overview of why people are talking about Venus? How about a quick explainer video that you can watch as you boil the kettle? . Your wish is our command: #Venus #VenusNews
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Got plans this weekend? Why not join us for the 34th annual @RoyalAstroSoc Summer Picnic! 🥪 🫖 . The event will be held on Sunday (28 July) from 12:30 BST in the grounds of the Royal Observatory Greenwich. 🔭
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It's been a very exciting week for us over here at the RAS - it's not every day you release fascinating research about biosignatures on Venus! We just wanted to give our new followers a warm welcome - we hope you'll enjoy keeping up to date with astronomy and geophysics with us!.
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Happy Ada Lovelace Day! Ada Lovelace was a British mathematician. She was the first to consider the concept of an operating system or software in 1842, while translating and annotating a critique of Charles Babbage's 'analytical engine', an early form of computer. #ALD20
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Hurry, time is running out! ⌛🏅💫 . There are now just TWO days left to submit nominations for the 2025 @RoyalAstroSoc Awards. To do so, visit:
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Want to see the REAL colours of Neptune and Uranus? 👀. A new study published in #MNRAS @RAS_Journals has revealed that the two ice giants are actually far closer in colour than typically thought. Read more here:
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An international team of researchers has obtained the largest set of detailed observations yet of the oldest stars in the centre of our Galaxy, the Milky Way. 🌌
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The most volcanic body in the solar system is Jupiter's moon, Io. The huge gravitational force exerted by Jupiter deforms Io, causing heating deep in its interior, resulting in eruptions of lava hundreds of miles above the surface @joshammond #bicentrivia. Image credit: NASA
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Are you interested in how the mathematics underpinning lunar and solar eclipses evolved during the last millennium? . A workshop by @ICMS_Edinburgh, titled 'Global History of Eclipse Reckoning', will trace the various practices used by different cultures and generations. (1/2)
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Prof Sara Seager has been talking to @rocketlab - they would have a spacecraft that is about 15 kg so you're payload would have to be about 3 kg - quite a challenge, but exciting that they are thinking about it. #VenusNews.
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Is life common in the Milky Way? ~ 100 billion stars, but only 10% are the right sort, 10% are in the right place, 10% have rocky planets in the habitable zone, 10% have magnetic fields, 10% have stabilising moons. in fact, we may be alone @profbradgibson #bicentrivia
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Enheduanna was a high-priestess and princess who lived in the Sumerian city-state of Ur, now part of Iraq. She was appointed Priestess of the Moon Goddess in about 2354 BCE, which required making accurate mathematical and astronomical predictions. #STEMlegends #WomenInSTEM
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Ahem. I think you'll find @robertmmassey works for us - and we're the Royal *Astronomical* Society @MetroUKNews! Good to see #cometNEOWISE getting press coverage though - it's definitely worth seeing if you can!
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We have Fellows in US, who are Muslim, who can't travel to meetings. Science is international - very much our business.
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Reminder that we're looking for a Marketing and Events Officer to join our team. If you're interested in helping us share the best of astronomy and geophysics with the wider world by developing marketing campaigns & promoting our events, we're keen to hear from you. (1/2)
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The Royal Astronomical Society stands in solidarity with Black people. There is no place for racism in science, or in wider society. We are aware of the need for greater diversity in the fields of astronomy and geophysics and are working hard to accomplish this. #BlackLivesMatter.
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The 2023 Annie Maunder Medal is awarded to @BlackInAstro, a grassroots organisation and community that was founded after the police violence upon Black people within the USA. It focuses on inspiring, developing, and enriching Black space scientists.
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Now it's @ProfSaraSeager - warning that "we are not claiming discovery on life Venus" - but says that they are confident that they have found phosphine. "We would like to see our findings repeated with observations at different wavelengths" #Venus.
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We're counting down to Christmas with a social media advent calendar. Each day we will share a different square that has been sent to us for the patchwork side of our commemorative bicentenary quilt. Read about the #RASquilt here: #RASAdventQuilt.
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We are lost for words.🤯. Introducing the Carina Nebula, the Southern Ring Nebula, and Stephan's Quintet as seen by #JWST. Thank you for unfolding the Universe, JWST! We can't wait for a future of more spectacular images just like these!. 📷: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
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Prof Jane Greaves says that the level of phosphine is around 20 parts per billion. Organisms could easily create this amount of phosphine, but they wanted to be really careful and rule out other potential sources of phosphine. #VenusNews.
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Catch the total lunar eclipse this Friday - eclipsed Moon visible after sunset on 27 July, plus bright Mars low on the south-east horizon. Both visible to the naked eye and entirely safe to look at.
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Huge congratulations to Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Prof Phil Diamond (SKAO) CBE, Prof Emma Bunce OBE and Prof Mike Cruise OBE for being recognised in the #NewYearsHonours list. Incredible to see four astronomers recognised! 🔭💫🪐 Warmest regards from everyone at @RoyalAstroSoc.
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Many congratulations to Prof. Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell of @UniofOxford who has been selected to receive the RAS Gold Medal for Astronomy 2021! #RASAwards
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We hope that our discovery motivates future focussed missions to Venus to find out more says @ProfSaraSeager #VenusNews.
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To mark #InternationalWomensDay2018, @RoyalAstroSoc is celebrating women who helped shape the history of astronomy. #IWD2018 #STEMlegends #WomenInSTEM.
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Another exciting day ahead - we're going to take a look at what the papers are saying about the discovery of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus. How many will mention "aliens" in the headline do you think? #VenusNews.
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Our 2024 @RoyalAstroSoc Award winners received their prizes at last week's #NAM2024 at the @UniofHull. Here's a recap of the night with pictures, reaction and videos of the Gold Medal acceptance speeches. Congratulations to all of our winners! 🏅🔭✨
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We are very excited to announce that Professor Emma Bunce (@drbuncen) has started her two year term as the new president of the Royal Astronomical Society! Congratulations! (Image credit: Andrew Fox)
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Congratulations to @drbecky_ - announced as winner of the Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship 2020 from the William Herschel Society & RAS. We look forward to hearing her lecture entitled "Supermassive Black Holes: The Ultimate Galaxy Killers" #womeninSTEM.
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From January 2024, all journals published by the Royal Astronomical Society will be Open Access. This move will enable everyone in the global community to have free, immediate, and unrestricted access to the high-quality research published in the portfolio of RAS journals.
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The 2022 Winton Award for Astronomy is awarded to Dr Rebecca Smethurst (@drbecky_) of @OxfordPhysics for making major advances in the field of galaxy formation and evolution.
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There is now less than a week left to submit nominations for our 2025 @RoyalAstroSoc Awards 🏅🏆🪐 . Some are aimed at young scientists, while others recognise many years of dedicated service to our sciences. Want to nominate someone? Visit
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The Royal Astronomical Society believes that changes to UK funding of research and development, and the loss of EU funding after #Brexit, are a serious threat to curiosity-driven research in astronomy and geophysics. Read more here:
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A suggested life-cycle hypothesis is being suggested by @ProfSaraSeager - watch the live stream to find out more. #VenusNews
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Excited about our big news announcement at 4pm? Want something to do while you wait? How about checking out our first online early career researcher poster exhibition? With over 200 posters it should keep you plenty busy until 4! ;) #RASPoster2020
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Tapputi-Belatekallim was the first person in history to have recorded chemical experiments. She is thought of as the first chemist and was mentioned in a tablet from Babylonian Mesopotamia. This was written in a Sumerian language and dated to c 1200 BCE. #STEMlegends #WomenInSTEM
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Dr Sheila Kanani, our Education, Outreach and Diversity Officer, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list. She receives the honour in recognition of her services to astronomy and to diversity in physics. Congratulations, @SaturnSheila! ⭐.
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It's almost time to say goodbye! 👋 . But before we bid farewell to @hullrasnam2024 here's our last bit of science to tell you about. It turns out Washington DC is among the US cities with power grids most vulnerable to space weather, according to @BritGeoSurvey-led experts.
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But of course, @hullrasnam2024 isn't over just yet!. We still have a series of talks this afternoon and some more solar science to share with you very shortly 😀 🥳😎 . #NAM2024
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Following on from @slyardley's talk mentioning solar flares and CMEs earlier. Separate research suggests space storms could soon be forecasted with greater accuracy than ever before thanks to a big leap forward in our understanding of exactly when a solar eruption may hit us.
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The @RoyalAstroSoc would also like to thank our wonderful #NAM2024 hosts @UniofHull, the organisers led by director of the @EAMilneCentre and SOC chair @DrERoediger, LOC chair @dbenoit1and head of physics @galaxy_gareth. Not forgetting our sponsors, @STFC_Matters. (1/2)
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Looking for something to listen to on your lunch break?. Check out this fascinating account from the @bbcworldservice about 'The woman who spoke to the space station'. It focuses on amateur radio enthusiast Maggie Iaquinto, who made contact with Russian cosmonauts in 1990. (1/2)
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We’re really excited about @Girlguiding’s new Space badge, which has been developed as part of #EveryGirl and #RAS200. ✨🔭🚀.
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"Given we did this with two independent observatories, we can say with a high-degree of confidence that we found phosphine" says @jgreaves6. It's unexpected and exciting. #VenusNews.
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Next question: Alien life would be a fantastic explanation for this, but you really would have to rule out all the other possible explanation. Can we really be confident there is no atmospheric process that could abiotically create phosphine. #VenusNews.
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The #PerseveranceRover has landed on Mars - a big congratulations to the @NASAPersevere team! 🥳🚀.
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It's 11 February, which means it is @UN International Women and Girls in Science Day! 🔭⚛️🔬🚀. Today we’re celebrating women and girls in science in all stages of their careers, and the innovation, knowledge and passion they bring to the field. ⭐. @UN_Women #WomenInScience
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They looked at over 70 different reactions and did a thermodynamic analysis. They could not find any that could create the amount of phosphine that they observed says Dr William Bains. #VenusNews They also looked at rock chemistry, lightning and more - none explained observation.
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Tonight the UK and eastern hemisphere will see a partial #LunarEclipse, on the same day as the #Apollo50 anniversary. If you have a clear sky, and an unobstructed southeastern horizon, take a look after sunset.
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Congratulations to the Astropy Project Team @astropy who have been awarded the @RoyalAstroSoc Group Achievement Award for Astronomy for producing the exceedingly valuable research toolkit Astropy and fostering professional software development skills in the community. #rasawards.
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Attention meteor lovers! ☄️. Are YOU studying a BSc/MSc/MSci course and interested in a summer research project on meteoritics?. The Paneth Meteorite Trust offers bursaries for such internships and is now accepting applications from student supervisors ⬇️.
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EVENT ALERT 🚨 .An online workshop is being held in memory of astronomer Professor Jay Pasachoff, who died last year aged 79. It has been organised by the Network for Astronomy School Education and will take place 12:30-15:00 GMT on 16 Dec. More info:
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@BBCRadio4 @jimalkhalili @jimalkhalili will talk to Professor Edmunds about his life, work and inspirations from 18:30 - 19:30 GMT at Burlington House.
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We are aware of an issue relating to erroneous email notifications about previously published papers in #MNRAS Letters. @RAS_Journals and @OUPAcademic are working on a resolution and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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Fatima al-Fihri was an Arab Muslim woman who is known for founding the first university in the world in 859. This was the University of Al Quaraouiyine located in Morocco in North Africa. She also founded one of the oldest libraries in the world. #STEMlegends #WomenInSTEM
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Using data from the Spitzer space telescope, Dr Susana Iglesias-Groth, a researcher from @IAC_Astrofisica, has found evidence for the existence of the amino acid tryptophan in star-forming region IC348. The work is published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
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We have some exciting news to share later 🚀💫 🥳. Check back at 16:00 GMT to find out more!.
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Aglaonike was the first known female astronomer in Ancient Greece. It's thought that she could predict lunar eclipses in about 150 BCE, and so she was sometimes referred as a sorcerer. A Greek proverb states: “the moon obeys Aglaonike". #STEMlegends #WomenInSTEM
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Congratulations to Dr Michele Bannister @astrokiwi of Queen’s University Belfast @QUBelfast who has been awarded the @RoyalAstroSoc Winton Award for Geophysics for her work in the surveying and discovery of trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs). #rasawards
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Tonight sees the peak of the #Lyrids meteor shower, so it's a great time to #LookUp. Find out how they got their name, how to see them , and how many to expect in an hour. #STEM #LyridMeteorShower
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We are delighted to announce that Dr Margarita Segou, of the @BritGeoSurvey, has been appointed as the new editor-in-chief of Geophysical Journal International. She will take over from Professor Jörg Renner on 1 March. Read more here ⬇️.
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We are pleased to announce that a deal has been agreed to secure a 999-year leasehold on our London headquarters, Burlington House! ✍️🥳. Read more about it and what it means:
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