Chris Lee
@cpl43uk.bsky.social
AstroSpace Advisor, Former Chief Scientist UK Space Agency, Visiting Prof (Uni of Leicester), FRAS FBIS #BristolAstroSoc, Astro, #Space #Astrophotographer, #Park-run #ProgRock, #Sci-Fi, #anti-Trump #anti-Reform (he/him)
I am so very sad to learn of Mike’s passing. I had the privilege of working with him for several years and benefited enormously from his gentle, thoughtful and persuasive insights. His OBE was richly deserved — and in truth, it should have been higher. He will be missed. Ad astra docendum #astronomy
February 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM
I am so very sad to learn of Mike’s passing. I had the privilege of working with him for several years and benefited enormously from his gentle, thoughtful and persuasive insights. His OBE was richly deserved — and in truth, it should have been higher. He will be missed. Ad astra docendum #astronomy
Personally i think we should have pushed on to support a crew tended free flyer. An opportunity missed?
Happy launch anniversary, Columbus! 🥳
18 years ago today, @esa.int's Columbus laboratory ascended to orbit, nestled in Space Shuttle Atlantis.
This engineering & scientific marvel became the first permanent European research facility in space.
102 000 + orbits later: www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
18 years ago today, @esa.int's Columbus laboratory ascended to orbit, nestled in Space Shuttle Atlantis.
This engineering & scientific marvel became the first permanent European research facility in space.
102 000 + orbits later: www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
Columbus: 100 000 orbits and counting
Today, the Columbus laboratory aboard the International Space Station completes its 100 000th orbit around Earth—a remarkable achievement for Europe’s science module in space. Since its...
www.esa.int
February 9, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Personally i think we should have pushed on to support a crew tended free flyer. An opportunity missed?
Possibly the most amazing presentation of #astrophotography i have ever seen - a Milky Way mosaic created over 12 years, which involved 1250 hours of exposures 😱🔭 #JPMetsävainio #jiipee.art and a really nice guy! #astrofest2026
February 7, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Possibly the most amazing presentation of #astrophotography i have ever seen - a Milky Way mosaic created over 12 years, which involved 1250 hours of exposures 😱🔭 #JPMetsävainio #jiipee.art and a really nice guy! #astrofest2026
Lots of good reasons to come up to see #astrofest2026 - oh? Oh yes i also saw some great talks 🤣🤣🤣 - when in London… @peterlewis55.bsky.social
February 7, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Lots of good reasons to come up to see #astrofest2026 - oh? Oh yes i also saw some great talks 🤣🤣🤣 - when in London… @peterlewis55.bsky.social
A wonderful tribute from the team #astrofest2026 to record the passing of #profAllanChapman - a champion of the history of #astronomy
February 7, 2026 at 6:45 PM
A wonderful tribute from the team #astrofest2026 to record the passing of #profAllanChapman - a champion of the history of #astronomy
Good to see @jumpingjupiters.bsky.social sharing the love for magnetic field lines #astrofest2026 👏👏👏
February 7, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Good to see @jumpingjupiters.bsky.social sharing the love for magnetic field lines #astrofest2026 👏👏👏
February 7, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Great storytelling by @jdhowgego.bsky.social on hunting meteorites- who knew dust collecting could be so interesting?!!
February 7, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Great storytelling by @jdhowgego.bsky.social on hunting meteorites- who knew dust collecting could be so interesting?!!
Day 2 #astrofest26 #astronomynow and the credit card is STILL in my pocket after Day 1 🤣 Great conference and exhibition as always - but need more folks on #bluesky … @luciegreen.bsky.social @dave-stargazer.bsky.social #astronomy 🔭
February 7, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Day 2 #astrofest26 #astronomynow and the credit card is STILL in my pocket after Day 1 🤣 Great conference and exhibition as always - but need more folks on #bluesky … @luciegreen.bsky.social @dave-stargazer.bsky.social #astronomy 🔭
I seem to remember opening Olympic ceremonies that (a) were fun (b) were entertaining (c) were short. Today the constant symbolism is perhaps a tad too intense? #winterolympics
February 6, 2026 at 10:09 PM
I seem to remember opening Olympic ceremonies that (a) were fun (b) were entertaining (c) were short. Today the constant symbolism is perhaps a tad too intense? #winterolympics
What’s not to love about a modern theatre that uses constellations and not zodiacs for its livery 👍#sohoplacetheatre
February 5, 2026 at 7:10 PM
What’s not to love about a modern theatre that uses constellations and not zodiacs for its livery 👍#sohoplacetheatre
Reposted by Chris Lee
Our #EarthObservation office has just launched on Bluesky!! Follow them for fresh satellite views, mission updates, and climate insights. 🌍 🧪🔭
February 5, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Our #EarthObservation office has just launched on Bluesky!! Follow them for fresh satellite views, mission updates, and climate insights. 🌍 🧪🔭
What i don’t understand in all the Mandelson-Epstein-Starmer and indeed Royals discussion is “what did MI5/6” say? I mean we pay all this money for “cutting edge” security capabilities and so i assume they track activities of senior figures with their hands on power or its influence? 🤔
February 5, 2026 at 12:16 PM
What i don’t understand in all the Mandelson-Epstein-Starmer and indeed Royals discussion is “what did MI5/6” say? I mean we pay all this money for “cutting edge” security capabilities and so i assume they track activities of senior figures with their hands on power or its influence? 🤔
Cue “X” and SpaceX fangeeks to go into hype mode - which of course will stoke up the future IPO etc. 🤦🏻♂️ There is clearly one born every minute.. and Elon probably knows where they live and what buttons to push…
February 3, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Cue “X” and SpaceX fangeeks to go into hype mode - which of course will stoke up the future IPO etc. 🤦🏻♂️ There is clearly one born every minute.. and Elon probably knows where they live and what buttons to push…
@astrokev.bsky.social and I were both observing #Copernicus the other night - Kev uses 11" SCT vs my 8" SCT- I now show how size really DOES count in #astrophotography 🤣 My 8" vs a version I took when the seeing was better (with 1.5 Barlow) and Kev's recent superb effort at 11" plus x2 Barlow
February 1, 2026 at 3:19 PM
@astrokev.bsky.social and I were both observing #Copernicus the other night - Kev uses 11" SCT vs my 8" SCT- I now show how size really DOES count in #astrophotography 🤣 My 8" vs a version I took when the seeing was better (with 1.5 Barlow) and Kev's recent superb effort at 11" plus x2 Barlow
Been awhile since I posted planetary images but with the weather here I'm not getting much choice!🤣 #jupiter #copernicus #tycho #clavius Trying the scope at optimal focal ratio for my camera pixel size (so no Barlow). Seeing very average #astrophotography #moonhour
February 1, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Been awhile since I posted planetary images but with the weather here I'm not getting much choice!🤣 #jupiter #copernicus #tycho #clavius Trying the scope at optimal focal ratio for my camera pixel size (so no Barlow). Seeing very average #astrophotography #moonhour
Reposted by Chris Lee
Physics is under the cosh, Astronomy and Chemistry in peril, Geography is losing territory, English, Modern Languages and History are among the many shrinking UK disciplines.
Surely it's time to have a concerted, structured conversation about universities and the national research base.
Surely it's time to have a concerted, structured conversation about universities and the national research base.
UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts.
Major cuts will hit UK science facilities and government research grants for physics and astronomy over the next four years, Research Professional News can reveal.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Major cuts will hit UK science facilities and government research grants for physics and astronomy over the next four years, Research Professional News can reveal.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks £162m cost savings, with existing projects facing axe
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Physics is under the cosh, Astronomy and Chemistry in peril, Geography is losing territory, English, Modern Languages and History are among the many shrinking UK disciplines.
Surely it's time to have a concerted, structured conversation about universities and the national research base.
Surely it's time to have a concerted, structured conversation about universities and the national research base.
Heavy rain at 6-7pm (none predicted) and so much for clear skies at 8pm even with a moon. Sometimes i really wonder about our abilities to understand the universe… 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤣 #astronomy 🔭
January 28, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Heavy rain at 6-7pm (none predicted) and so much for clear skies at 8pm even with a moon. Sometimes i really wonder about our abilities to understand the universe… 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤣 #astronomy 🔭
Haven’t seen a decent clear sky here for two weeks or so. Now, let me just check the moon’s phase… 80%. Oh and look at that- clear tonight- obviously! 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤣 #astronomy
January 28, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Haven’t seen a decent clear sky here for two weeks or so. Now, let me just check the moon’s phase… 80%. Oh and look at that- clear tonight- obviously! 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤣 #astronomy
Reposted by Chris Lee
Empowering NASA's Earth Science Fleet
nasawatch.com/earth-scienc...
nasawatch.com/earth-scienc...
Empowering NASA's Earth Science Fleet
A Plea to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, from Planet Earth
nasawatch.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Empowering NASA's Earth Science Fleet
nasawatch.com/earth-scienc...
nasawatch.com/earth-scienc...
Saddened to learn of the passing of Prof #AllanChapman - a profound loss. His scholarship kept alive the stories and achievements of those who shaped #astronomy long before us. ☹️🔭
January 27, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Saddened to learn of the passing of Prof #AllanChapman - a profound loss. His scholarship kept alive the stories and achievements of those who shaped #astronomy long before us. ☹️🔭
Reposted by Chris Lee
You misspelled "BORED".
January 24, 2026 at 8:39 AM
You misspelled "BORED".
Reposted by Chris Lee
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 PM
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
Reposted by Chris Lee
Perhaps Nigel Farage would like to explain to the families of British soldiers killed in Iraq why he’s such a good pal of Donald ‘bonespurs’ Trump?
Trump on NATO: "I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test. I'm not sure of that. We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, off the front lines."
January 22, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Perhaps Nigel Farage would like to explain to the families of British soldiers killed in Iraq why he’s such a good pal of Donald ‘bonespurs’ Trump?
Have we seen a change in how many in Europe now see American #NASA Space Exploration? Not as “Leader of Free World back to the stars”? I noted a trending yesterday for “Trump kiss my #ArtemisII” and continued reluctance to support Musk/Bezos/techbro projects other than hardened fans? #worktobedone
January 22, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Have we seen a change in how many in Europe now see American #NASA Space Exploration? Not as “Leader of Free World back to the stars”? I noted a trending yesterday for “Trump kiss my #ArtemisII” and continued reluctance to support Musk/Bezos/techbro projects other than hardened fans? #worktobedone