Robert Lea @RobertLea@qoto.org

What is a #blackhole #eventhorizon and what happens there? I spoke to astrophysicist Xavier Calmet about this seemingly #physics defying phenomenon in #space in my latest explainer for SPACEdotcom #astronomy https://www.space.com/black-holes-event-horizon-explained.html#section-event-horizon-and-black-hole-faqs-answered-by-an-expert

Astronomers have spotted the first system destined to one day go kilonova when its #neutronstars collide. I spoke to Noel Richardson about his findings and the Fong Group’s Jillian Rastinejad about the importance of observing a kilonova progenitor. #astronomy #space #scicomm https://physicsworld.com/a/doomed-to-explode-in-a-kilonova-rare-star-system-is-discovered-by-astronomers/

Astronomers have observed new aurorae over the four largest moons of #Jupiter. The aurorae reveals the composition the moons’ atmospheres and some suprises! #Space #astronomy #science #Europa https://www.space.com/auroras-jupiter-four-largest-moons

The #jameswebbspacetelescope has opened Pandora’s Cluster in a stunning new image revealing its hidden secrets. The key to this development was provided by #Einstein over hundred years ago, #SciComm #Space #astronomy #Physics #JWST https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-pandoras-cluster#xenforo-comments-60051

The #JamesWebbSpaceTelescope has revolutionised #astronomy , but #NASA are ready for the next big Space Telescope to join this and #Hubble. Meet the #NancyGraceRomanTelescope as Luz Angela Garcia explains what it means for #darkenergy and Samson A. Johnson from NASA explains how it will hunt #exoplanets #scicomm #Science #space https://www.space.com/nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope

An #asteroid lit up the skies over the U.K. last night before crashing in the English Channel. What are asteroids, what are they made of, and where do they come from? My latest (well timed) for Space has the answers. #Space #astronomy #scicomm https://www.space.com/51-asteroids-formation-discovery-and-exploration.html

The Sparkler galaxy discovered by the #jameswebbspacetelescope is a cosmic cannibal that devouring neighbouring galaxies to grow. #astronomy #Space #scicomm #Science https://www.space.com/webb-sees-young-cannibal-galaxy-resembling-milky-way

Astronomers have discovered a new ring system around a solar system dwarf planet that defies expectations. I spoke to University of Sheffield’s Vik Dhillon about this “impossible” ring. #Space #astronomy #scicomm https://www.livescience.com/impossible-new-ring-system-discovered-at-the-edge-of-the-solar-system-and-scientists-are-baffled

Astronomers have discovered the first direct evidence that the Milky Way’s neighbour galaxy Andromeda grew via a collision with another galaxy triggering a mass migration of stars. #space #scicomm #astronomy https://www.space.com/andromeda-galaxy-collision-stellar-immigration

The solar system is filled with a “ghostly glow” even when all of its light is accounted for. I spoke to Tim Carleton researcher with ASU about this “ghost light” and its possible cause for Popular Mechanics #Space #astronomy #scicomm https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/solar-system/a42800948/astronomers-discover-solar-system-has-ghostly-glow/

What happens when a star fails to ignite? It becomes a brown dwarf. Astronomers have imaged one of these “failed stars” directly for the first time. #astronomy #space #scicomm https://trib.al/6DIgznf

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Wen-fai Fong leader of Northwestern’s Fong Group about her introduction to #astronomy and how she inspires the next generation of #space scientists. #science #physics #scicomm https://physicsworld.com/a/i-see-a-piece-of-myself-in-every-student-that-ive-mentored-and-we-motivate-each-other-wen-fai-fong-on-supporting-the-next-generation-of-astronomers/

Astronomers have measure the mass of a lone dead star white dwarf for the first time. The rea search gives a clue to what the sun will look like when it dies in 5 billion years! #Space #scicomm #astronomy https://www.space.com/hubble-space-telescope-white-dwarf-mass#xenforo-comments-59872

The asteroid Itokawa is a 'space cushion' that might soak up punishment, new research shows, a skill that's helped it survive for a surprisingly long time. I spoke to Curtin Uni researcher Fred Jourdan about the findings and what it means for planetary defense. https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/itokawa-asteroid-is-a-rubble-pile-that-could-be-tough-to-destroy/

A new image from the #JamesWebbSpaceTelescope shows a host of #galaxies including a distant spiral galaxy in sunning detail. #astronomy #Space #SciComm #spaceimages https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-spiral-galaxy-image

LOne of the most accurate maps of all the matter in the universe ever reveals the cosmos isn’t as “clumpy” as it should be. Could there be an ingredient missing from our cosmological recipe? #Space #astronomy #SciComm #physics https://www.space.com/precise-matter-map-universe-less-clumpy#xenforo-comments-59826

Spider stars systems are binaries in which a pulsar blasts it’s stellar companion with high energy radiation eroding it. Astronomers have detected the first gamma Ray eclipse from such a system… but why is that significant?#Space #astronomy #scicomm https://www.space.com/spider-system-pulsar-gamma-ray-eclipses

A new dark matter model could offer “the best of both worlds” I spoke to researcher Robert McGeHee about HYPERs as #DarkMatter particles. #SciComm #Physics #Space https://www.space.com/dark-matter-new-model-hyper-particles

The small UK town Winchcombe was lit up in 2021 when a fireball #space rock exploded in its skies and crashed into a home’s driveway there. I spoke to researchers Queenie H. S. Chansons Mark Sephton about the secrets locked within the #meteorite including amino acids that could be the precursors to life! #astronomy #scicomm https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/meteorite-that-struck-a-driveway-in-small-uk-town-holds-key-ingredients-for-life/

New survey of the galactic disc of the Milky Way reveals a stunning 3.3 billion celestial objects. #space #astronomy #MilkyWay #SciComm https://www.space.com/dark-energy-camera-milky-way-survey