Artist's impression of the exoplanet K2-18b. Credit: A. Smith, University of Cambridge.

𝗡𝗼, 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝟮-𝟭𝟴𝗯'𝘀 𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.

K2-18b is back in the news, now with a bold claim that biosignature molecules (DMS and/or DMDS) have been 'detected at 3σ'.

Most exoplanet astronomers are extremely sceptical about these claims, let's see why (1/n).

🔭🧪🪐 #exoplanet

Unexpected, bright hydrogen emission caught astronomers by surprise While the Universe right after the Big Bang was blisteringly hot, a rapid expansion and cooldown subsequently rendered it opaque to energetic ultraviolet light. This ‘fogginess’ was gradually cleared ...

Unexpected, bright hydrogen emission caught astronomers by surprise 🔭😳

I'm proud to have led a study reporting this surprising result, which is now published in @nature.com. Read more in this Behind the paper post and in the thread below! 👇

Had an amazing time organising the RAS Specialist Discussion Meeting focusing on extreme stellar populations and the initial mass function at the Royal Society in London last Friday.
Huge thanks to the wonderful speakers and attendees for making this event a success!

Goodbye Rafa Nadal, a true champion and gentleman! A very sad day for tennis 😢 happy retirement!

Oxford relying on ‘Deliveroo-style’ contracts with most tutorials not taught by full-time staff Leading university accused of relying on young academics employed on gig-economy terms

This is why I've always said no to teaching, the Oxford system would mean that I wouldn't have time to do any research as there are many hidden expectations, and you are only paid for the contact hours -- this doesn't include prep and marking www.theguardian.com/education/20...

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Extragalactic astronomers! We’re organising a conference in beautiful Oxford next year from 7-11 April to discuss the latest advances in our understanding of the distant Universe, both from observations and simulations. Abstract submission is open here: firstgalaxies.web.ox.ac.uk/home

Plz share!!

Stunning performance by the Mercury Prize winning band English Teacher at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire last night! They brought their highly complex album to life in an amazing way

a woman is dancing in front of a sign that says here i go again . ALT: a woman is dancing in front of a sign that says here i go again .

Might be time to resurrect this account! Is the menswear guy on this app yet??

Happy Diwali 🪔

Had a wonderful weekend out in the Cotswolds! First signs of autumn, finally!

Astronomers posing for the camera with the JWST activity

JWST activity table showing posters of galaxies and a laptop

JWST data being projected on a big screen, with an interactive viewer

Has such a great time talking about JWST at the Science Museum x Silver Tuesday event, as part of the national Silver Sunday celebrations to help address loneliness and isolation amongst older people. It was amazing to hear all the lovely stories and spread the joy of astronomy!

So the skies do seem bluer here - how does this thing work again? Oh, and hello world!