Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Aug 28

The Edinburgh International Festival brings some amazing artists to town. I was honored to meet #johndouglasthompson while waiting in line for a play. He was really gracious considering how famous he is. He told me that there were taxis around town with his face on them. Sure enough!

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Aug 18

Where sits Cultural Astronomy? The name of my talk on Aug 21, 4 pm PST. #ASPmeeting. You must be
registered to see the talk.

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jul 14

A few crowd shots from Oxford XIII Indigenous Astronomy in the Space Age. Profs, students and postdocs.

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jul 9

We are midweek for the largest Cultural Astronomy conference in the world: Oxford 13 in Melbourne. I’m the current president, Clive is a former president. We are flanked by Isaac Warbrick & Jade Kameta.

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jul 7

Join us in another 3 years. We don’t know the location yet.

Dr Hannah Dalgleish @hannahsuzanne.bsky.social · Jul 7

Have an amazing time!!

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jul 3

We are about to start a tutorial on Stellarium by Georg Zotti!

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jul 3

I presented on theories every cultural astronomer should know along with Emilia Pasztor.

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jul 3

Clive Ruggles who was at the Ghana conference caught everyone up via his 50 years of Archaeoastronomy.

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jul 3

Here I am in Melbourne, Australia, at our latest cultural astronomy school this week. There are 45 lecturers and students.

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jul 3

I included daily sessions teaching undergraduate & grad students cultural astronomy. Our keynote speakers did their part teaching, too. I started a trend of having cultural astronomy schools attached to our big conferences.

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jul 3

In 2006, I organized my first international conference on cultural astronomy at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, coincident with the total solar eclipse.

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Jun 22

Tomorrow there are watch parties all over the world to see the Rubin Observatory’s first public release of images. You can find one near you: rubinobservatory.org/news/rubin-f.... Here in Edinburgh, start time is 3 pm ish, with the images flowing later. @blackinastro.bsky.social, @lsstuk.bsky.social

Rubin First Look Watch Parties | Rubin Observatory

Our First Look at imagery from Rubin Observatory is nearly here — learn about how to host or attend a Rubin First Look Watch Party and join in the global celebration

rubinobservatory.org

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Reposted by Jarita Holbrook

Rubin LSST:UK @lsstuk.bsky.social · Jun 20

Want to set eyes on the @vrubinobs.bsky.social First Look images in good company? There are public Watch Parties taking place around the UK and all over the world. Check out your nearest event rubinobservatory.org/news/rubin-f... 🔭

Rubin First Look Watch Parties | Rubin Observatory

Our First Look at imagery from Rubin Observatory is nearly here — learn about how to host or attend a Rubin First Look Watch Party and join in the global celebration

rubinobservatory.org

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Reposted by Jarita Holbrook

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · Jun 20

UCU members at @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social are striking today over University of Edinburgh plans to make £140million in cuts and threaten jobs

We're fighting against these reckless proposals

Share to show your support ✊

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Reposted by Jarita Holbrook

Black In Astro @blackinastro.bsky.social · Jun 19

🚀 Celebrating 5 years of #BlackInAstro! We continue to uplift, connect & advocate for Black voices across astronomy & space-related fields 🌍✨ Read how we’re expanding community, opportunity, and impact 👇
#BlackSpaceWeek #EquityInSTEM
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Screenshot of a Nature Astronomy article titled “Empowering voices and building bridges across the space community with Black In Astro.” The article discusses the origins and growth of Black In Astro, a grassroots organization supporting Black individuals in astronomy and space-related fields. It highlights the group’s mission to celebrate, connect, and uplift the Black space community, particularly early-career researchers. The article also features the upcoming Black Space Week 2025 and emphasizes the importance of visibility, mentorship, and interdisciplinary engagement across STEM and beyond.

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Reposted by Jarita Holbrook

Black In Astro @blackinastro.bsky.social · Jun 14

🎨✨ Show off your space-themed creativity! Enter the #BlackSpaceWeek2025 Astro Art Competition (no AI art). 🌌

🗓️ Opens June 15 at 9 AM ET. Submit your artwork here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🏆 Prizes include custom art & more!

Graphic promoting the #BlackSpaceWeek2025 Astro Art Competition. It invites submissions of original space-themed art or astrophotography (no AI-generated art) via a Google form on blackinastro.com. The competition opens June 15, 2025, at 9 AM ET. Prizes include: 1st place – a custom bowl by Amy Rae Hill, 2nd place – a framed print of Dare by Laci Brock, and 3rd place – a STARtorialist gift card. The background features a starry space design with images of prizes in circular panels.

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Reposted by Jarita Holbrook

Dr. Caprice Phillips @capricephillips.bsky.social · Jun 19

On this fine #Juneteenth and #BlackSpaceWeek, let me (re)introduce myself! I'm officially Dr. Caprice Phillips. I'm the current vice president of @blackinastro.bsky.social and incoming Hubble Sagan fellow to UCSC. I study brown dwarfs and love them! #BSW2025

Caprice in front of a white board that reads - Congratulations Dr. Phillips

Caprice standing in front of project presenting her dissertation work.

Childhood photo of a young Caprice that says Your A+ Angel

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Reposted by Jarita Holbrook

Black In Astro @blackinastro.bsky.social · Jun 19

✨ New #BlackSpaceWeek feature! Get to know Phoenix‑Avery Sarian, a rising senior from Ohio State whose journey in astronomy is powered by strong support systems and community 💫 Dive into their inspiring story now on Astrobites 👉 astrobites.org/2025/06/18/b...

#BlackInAstro Experiences: Phoenix-Avery Sarian

In today's #BlackInAstro Experiences post, we sit down with Phoenix-Avery Sarian from The Ohio State University to talk about her experiences as an astronomer so far.

astrobites.org

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Reposted by Jarita Holbrook

Black In Astro @blackinastro.bsky.social · Jun 19

🚀 New #BlackSpaceWeek feature! Join us in celebrating ‘Weaving the Universe Together’ with an inspiring interview of incoming grad student Logan White, sharing their #BlackInAstro journey and aspirations. ✨ Read now on Astrobites! astrobites.org/2025/06/18/b...

#BlackInAstro Experiences: Logan White

As part of Black Space Week 2025, we interview incoming graduate student Logan White!

astrobites.org

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · May 30

Watching the Jada Cheek #BlackinAstro event online. So exciting! @blackinastro.bsky.social

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · May 12

Those of you who’ve joined us on the Black Suns Journey, Thank You! Now it is on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhU-.... We still want to know if you use it in your K12/Uni classes to inspire folks to consider STEM careers, so like & leave a comment on the YouTube page. @blackinastro.bsky.social

Black Suns: An Astrophysics Adventure

YouTube video by WisdomInMotionKZP

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Jarita Holbrook

Royal Astronomical Society @royalastrosoc.bsky.social · Apr 30

🚨 Reminder 🚨

If you haven't already done so, today is the last chance to submit applications for the Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship.

Find out more at: herschelsociety.org.uk/caroline-her...

Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship – Herschel Society

herschelsociety.org.uk

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Apr 25

It is time to nominate individuals for the ISAAC prizes. The deadline has been extended to May 15, 2025. You have to be an ISAAC member to apply, no problem we just voted in a bunch of new members. International Society for Archaeoastronomy and Astronomy in Culture: www.archaeoastronomy.org/prizes

PRIZES | Isaac

www.archaeoastronomy.org

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Apr 22

Postdoc Fellowship applications for Gender.ED are due April 25th! @iashedinburgh.bsky.social @uoe-gender-ed.bsky.social @4sweb.bsky.social www.gender.ed.ac.uk/opportunitie...

Fellowships | GENDER.ED

GENDER.ED is a cross-University hub for gender and sexualities studies from an interdisciplinary perspective

www.gender.ed.ac.uk

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Jarita Holbrook @astroholbrook.bsky.social · Apr 14

One of my colleagues is exploring the online teaching space to further Cultural Astronomy, Archaeoastronomy, Skyscape Archaeology. If you are interested (and in ethnoastronomy, too!) take a minute to fill out this survey: forms.gle/GwxnQeuoEw4x...

Archaeoastronomy/Skyscape Archaeology Courses Survey 2025

This survey is aimed at people who would be interested in taking an archaeoastronomy/skyscape archaeology course in the near future. We are trying to understand what people are seeking so that we dev...

forms.gle

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