Prof Col Macpherson
@colinmacpherson.bsky.social
Rock ̵e̵t̵ ̵ scientist @durhamearthsci.bsky.social 🧪⚒️
Husband, dad, typographical errer
Husband, dad, typographical errer
Our dog is named Hester (Paws) - partly after Hester Shaw and partly after Lee Scoresby's daemon in His Dark Materials.
January 23, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Our dog is named Hester (Paws) - partly after Hester Shaw and partly after Lee Scoresby's daemon in His Dark Materials.
I can attest (me wearing scarf) that invaders of Liege who are happy to drink the local beer get a very warm welcome (and even a football hat). Unfortunately, the pub pictured and RFC Liege no longer exist. (RFC Liege v
@thehibees.bsky.social
, 1989). #GGTTH
@thehibees.bsky.social
, 1989). #GGTTH
January 22, 2026 at 1:29 PM
I can attest (me wearing scarf) that invaders of Liege who are happy to drink the local beer get a very warm welcome (and even a football hat). Unfortunately, the pub pictured and RFC Liege no longer exist. (RFC Liege v
@thehibees.bsky.social
, 1989). #GGTTH
@thehibees.bsky.social
, 1989). #GGTTH
And it still sounds great. This was October 2025 at Newcastle City Hall. The Stranglers. 🖤 Golden Brown. 🧡🤎
January 18, 2026 at 10:14 PM
And it still sounds great. This was October 2025 at Newcastle City Hall. The Stranglers. 🖤 Golden Brown. 🧡🤎
Perhaps if you exert enough pressure they might form a solid solution? ⚒️🧪
January 15, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Perhaps if you exert enough pressure they might form a solid solution? ⚒️🧪
The lowest Permian formation in NE England is known as the Yellow Sands. This afternoon it looked positively golden. 🧪⚒️
January 5, 2026 at 5:08 PM
The lowest Permian formation in NE England is known as the Yellow Sands. This afternoon it looked positively golden. 🧪⚒️
My brilliant dog agrees that your dog is brilliant 🐕
January 1, 2026 at 3:14 PM
My brilliant dog agrees that your dog is brilliant 🐕
Dino hands 🦕⚽️🇮🇹
December 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Dino hands 🦕⚽️🇮🇹
Last #ThinSectionThursday this year from me. Beautiful Balvenie troctolite in XPL. A large olivine crystal is cross cut by oxide veins representing fluid pathways, which become thinner but more numerous as they radiate out through the surrounding plagioclase, which retains striking twinning. 🧪⚒️🌋
December 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Last #ThinSectionThursday this year from me. Beautiful Balvenie troctolite in XPL. A large olivine crystal is cross cut by oxide veins representing fluid pathways, which become thinner but more numerous as they radiate out through the surrounding plagioclase, which retains striking twinning. 🧪⚒️🌋
Source not unknown:
phys.org/news/2011-01...
phys.org/news/2011-01...
December 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Source not unknown:
phys.org/news/2011-01...
phys.org/news/2011-01...
Ten years ago today I was lucky enough to meet Jim Montgomery, who made the greatest save ever (and I'm not even a Sunderland fan).⚽
youtu.be/PZmFoo4payA
youtu.be/PZmFoo4payA
December 10, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Ten years ago today I was lucky enough to meet Jim Montgomery, who made the greatest save ever (and I'm not even a Sunderland fan).⚽
youtu.be/PZmFoo4payA
youtu.be/PZmFoo4payA
If it's any consolation: Live from the @dulib.bsky.social search facility ...
December 9, 2025 at 1:29 PM
If it's any consolation: Live from the @dulib.bsky.social search facility ...
Christmas zoned phlogopite in carbonatite for #ThinSectionThursday. In PPL (left) Mg-rich core shows less colour than brown rim (pleochroic to colourless) which has higher Fe, possibly due to Al-deficiency. Same chemical variation gives different interference colours in XPL (right) 🧪⚒️🌋🎄🎅
December 4, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Christmas zoned phlogopite in carbonatite for #ThinSectionThursday. In PPL (left) Mg-rich core shows less colour than brown rim (pleochroic to colourless) which has higher Fe, possibly due to Al-deficiency. Same chemical variation gives different interference colours in XPL (right) 🧪⚒️🌋🎄🎅
As a sports lover whose PhD research involved refining a process using chlorine trifluoride, I am comfortable with this analogy. 🧪
December 3, 2025 at 5:07 PM
As a sports lover whose PhD research involved refining a process using chlorine trifluoride, I am comfortable with this analogy. 🧪
Yup. Sounds about right. Or right about sounds. 🎸🤘🎵
December 3, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Yup. Sounds about right. Or right about sounds. 🎸🤘🎵
My brain on tour ...
November 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My brain on tour ...
Used to drive past the house used for the party scene to/from work until it was demolished about 15 years ago.
November 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Used to drive past the house used for the party scene to/from work until it was demolished about 15 years ago.
A movie that takes place where you’re from.
November 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
A movie that takes place where you’re from.
Wait. This can’t be right. What is this strange, joyous feeling? 🏴💙💪
Back at the World Cup after 28 years.
Back at the World Cup after 28 years.
November 18, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Wait. This can’t be right. What is this strange, joyous feeling? 🏴💙💪
Back at the World Cup after 28 years.
Back at the World Cup after 28 years.
Nope. It would appear there is not. 🤦♂️
November 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Nope. It would appear there is not. 🤦♂️
Good grief, is there no end to the ways Scotland make themselves agonising to support 🏴
November 15, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Good grief, is there no end to the ways Scotland make themselves agonising to support 🏴
... following this logic my dog must be hydroponic.
November 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM
... following this logic my dog must be hydroponic.
OTD in 1988 Steve Archibald's iconic clincher for @thehibees.bsky.social against Hearts. First Edinburgh derby match I had missed in years. I was sat in A&E having just ruptured two knee ligaments playing in goal for @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social AFC. #GGTTH 💚⚽
November 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
OTD in 1988 Steve Archibald's iconic clincher for @thehibees.bsky.social against Hearts. First Edinburgh derby match I had missed in years. I was sat in A&E having just ruptured two knee ligaments playing in goal for @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social AFC. #GGTTH 💚⚽
