Dr. Sarah Biddle Leslie (she/they)
@extragalactic.bsky.social
Postdoctoral fellow at Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian | Space Art | Galaxy evolution | Mental health | Australian, disabled cat parent.
Instagram: @Fashionableastronomy
Instagram: @Fashionableastronomy
Happy LGBTQinSTEM Day!! I just ordered a pin for myself and a pin for my trans femme partner who is also called Robin... I hope she never gets sick of my robin themed cards and gifts... Like this card I painted digitally with the robin's egg nebula. 🐡
November 19, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Happy LGBTQinSTEM Day!! I just ordered a pin for myself and a pin for my trans femme partner who is also called Robin... I hope she never gets sick of my robin themed cards and gifts... Like this card I painted digitally with the robin's egg nebula. 🐡
I look forwards to seeing what the Vera C. Rubin observatory will help reveal about the universe.
Here is a timelapse (condensed into 30s) of my artwork from the software I use, Procreate (on ipad). #sciart
Here is a timelapse (condensed into 30s) of my artwork from the software I use, Procreate (on ipad). #sciart
November 18, 2025 at 1:12 AM
I look forwards to seeing what the Vera C. Rubin observatory will help reveal about the universe.
Here is a timelapse (condensed into 30s) of my artwork from the software I use, Procreate (on ipad). #sciart
Here is a timelapse (condensed into 30s) of my artwork from the software I use, Procreate (on ipad). #sciart
New frontiers 🔭🎨
This art was inspired by one of the first images released by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
The Rubin Observatory will capture images of the entire sky every few days using the 3200 megapixel LSST camera, allowing astronomers to identify and study targets that move or change. (1/5)
This art was inspired by one of the first images released by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
The Rubin Observatory will capture images of the entire sky every few days using the 3200 megapixel LSST camera, allowing astronomers to identify and study targets that move or change. (1/5)
November 18, 2025 at 1:12 AM
New frontiers 🔭🎨
This art was inspired by one of the first images released by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
The Rubin Observatory will capture images of the entire sky every few days using the 3200 megapixel LSST camera, allowing astronomers to identify and study targets that move or change. (1/5)
This art was inspired by one of the first images released by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
The Rubin Observatory will capture images of the entire sky every few days using the 3200 megapixel LSST camera, allowing astronomers to identify and study targets that move or change. (1/5)
Christian’s research focused on the Perseus galaxy cluster. They confirmed two giant structures: a radio "mini-halo" around the central galaxy, and a much larger "giant radio halo" over a million ly! These halos likely come from turbulence caused by past cosmic mergers, which re-energize particles.
June 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Christian’s research focused on the Perseus galaxy cluster. They confirmed two giant structures: a radio "mini-halo" around the central galaxy, and a much larger "giant radio halo" over a million ly! These halos likely come from turbulence caused by past cosmic mergers, which re-energize particles.
Studying space at such low frequencies is incredibly challenging because the Earth's ionosphere distorts the incoming radio waves. Christian helped develop a new calibration technique that enables higher sensitivity and resolution imaging at these wavelengths.
June 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Studying space at such low frequencies is incredibly challenging because the Earth's ionosphere distorts the incoming radio waves. Christian helped develop a new calibration technique that enables higher sensitivity and resolution imaging at these wavelengths.
Today, my colleague Christian at Leiden University successfully defended his PhD thesis, "Galaxy Clusters in the Decameter Sky"! In it, he mapped the sky at a relatively unexplored range of radio frequencies—10–30 MHz—using the LOFAR telescope. I had the honour of designing Christian’s thesis cover!
June 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Today, my colleague Christian at Leiden University successfully defended his PhD thesis, "Galaxy Clusters in the Decameter Sky"! In it, he mapped the sky at a relatively unexplored range of radio frequencies—10–30 MHz—using the LOFAR telescope. I had the honour of designing Christian’s thesis cover!
The pillars of creation were first made famous when imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 (and again in 2014) in visible light - which I have previously painted. The near-infrared view from JWST helps us peer through more of the dust - revealing many more stars that are forming within.
February 27, 2025 at 2:16 AM
The pillars of creation were first made famous when imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 (and again in 2014) in visible light - which I have previously painted. The near-infrared view from JWST helps us peer through more of the dust - revealing many more stars that are forming within.
The pillars of creation were first made famous when imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 (and again in 2014) in visible light - which I have previously painted. The near-infrared view from JWST helps us peer through more of the dust - revealing many more stars that are forming within.
February 27, 2025 at 2:16 AM
The pillars of creation were first made famous when imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 (and again in 2014) in visible light - which I have previously painted. The near-infrared view from JWST helps us peer through more of the dust - revealing many more stars that are forming within.
My mini painting of the Pillars of Creation was inspired by the JWST NIRCam image. This region of active star formation lies ~6,500 lyr away. Glowing red lines near the edges of some pillars reveal where stars are ejecting material as they form. 🔭🧪 🎨
February 27, 2025 at 2:16 AM
My mini painting of the Pillars of Creation was inspired by the JWST NIRCam image. This region of active star formation lies ~6,500 lyr away. Glowing red lines near the edges of some pillars reveal where stars are ejecting material as they form. 🔭🧪 🎨
My mini painting of the Pillars of Creation was inspired by the JWST NIRCam image. This region of active star formation lies ~6,500 lyr away. Glowing red lines near the edges of some pillars reveal where stars are ejecting material as they form. 🔭🧪 🎨
February 27, 2025 at 2:16 AM
My mini painting of the Pillars of Creation was inspired by the JWST NIRCam image. This region of active star formation lies ~6,500 lyr away. Glowing red lines near the edges of some pillars reveal where stars are ejecting material as they form. 🔭🧪 🎨
I'm excited to take part in Dragonfly Mental Health's Global Migration on October 10th, celebrating World Mental Health Day and raising awareness about #MentalHealth in #academia. I'll be delivering a Basics of Burnout Seminar at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian in Cambridge, USA
October 9, 2024 at 10:47 PM
I'm excited to take part in Dragonfly Mental Health's Global Migration on October 10th, celebrating World Mental Health Day and raising awareness about #MentalHealth in #academia. I'll be delivering a Basics of Burnout Seminar at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian in Cambridge, USA
For Day 2 of #SpacetoberChallenge #Spacetober prompt Moon, I'm posting an acrylic painting I did a few years ago for my friend @aurorakess.bsky.social
#SapcetoberChallenge_04 #SciArt
#SapcetoberChallenge_04 #SciArt
October 2, 2024 at 2:32 PM
For Day 2 of #SpacetoberChallenge #Spacetober prompt Moon, I'm posting an acrylic painting I did a few years ago for my friend @aurorakess.bsky.social
#SapcetoberChallenge_04 #SciArt
#SapcetoberChallenge_04 #SciArt
I really enjoy watching videos of acrylic pours and it was very fun to incorporate the technique for these paintings
1. Impressions of a gas giant
2. Impressions of an exo-moon
3. Impressions of Mercury
4. Impressions of Mars.
#SciArt 🔭🐡
#spaceart #planet #acrylicpouring
1. Impressions of a gas giant
2. Impressions of an exo-moon
3. Impressions of Mercury
4. Impressions of Mars.
#SciArt 🔭🐡
#spaceart #planet #acrylicpouring
August 23, 2024 at 3:55 PM
I really enjoy watching videos of acrylic pours and it was very fun to incorporate the technique for these paintings
1. Impressions of a gas giant
2. Impressions of an exo-moon
3. Impressions of Mercury
4. Impressions of Mars.
#SciArt 🔭🐡
#spaceart #planet #acrylicpouring
1. Impressions of a gas giant
2. Impressions of an exo-moon
3. Impressions of Mercury
4. Impressions of Mars.
#SciArt 🔭🐡
#spaceart #planet #acrylicpouring
This is my digital art of NGC 1360, the robin's egg nebula, inspired by the Astronomy Picture of the Day Aug 5, 2023: apod.nasa.gov/apod/a...
🔭
#procreate #digitalart #spaceart
1/3
🔭
#procreate #digitalart #spaceart
1/3
July 11, 2024 at 3:25 PM
This is my digital art of NGC 1360, the robin's egg nebula, inspired by the Astronomy Picture of the Day Aug 5, 2023: apod.nasa.gov/apod/a...
🔭
#procreate #digitalart #spaceart
1/3
🔭
#procreate #digitalart #spaceart
1/3
Yesterday my dear friend and colleague Marta Frias Castillo defended her thesis on measuring cold molecular gas across cosmic time. I had the pleasure of designing her thesis cover. Congratulations Dr Frias Castillo 🎉
June 21, 2024 at 3:12 PM
Yesterday my dear friend and colleague Marta Frias Castillo defended her thesis on measuring cold molecular gas across cosmic time. I had the pleasure of designing her thesis cover. Congratulations Dr Frias Castillo 🎉
Was it just me or was most of that image blank? Trying again! 🔭🧪🎨
April 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Was it just me or was most of that image blank? Trying again! 🔭🧪🎨
Digital Art: The Penguin Galaxy, aka Arp 142.
🎨🔭 🐧
I first encountered the Penguin Galaxy through the Galaxy Zoo Project, one of the most successful citizen science initiatives (imo).
1/7
🎨🔭 🐧
I first encountered the Penguin Galaxy through the Galaxy Zoo Project, one of the most successful citizen science initiatives (imo).
1/7
April 16, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Digital Art: The Penguin Galaxy, aka Arp 142.
🎨🔭 🐧
I first encountered the Penguin Galaxy through the Galaxy Zoo Project, one of the most successful citizen science initiatives (imo).
1/7
🎨🔭 🐧
I first encountered the Penguin Galaxy through the Galaxy Zoo Project, one of the most successful citizen science initiatives (imo).
1/7
Painting of a fictional star system. I used an image of our sun's solar flares for reference. I also played with impasto - making a 3d effect by layering the paint thickly on the canvas. What should I name this one? 🎨 #spaceart
April 9, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Painting of a fictional star system. I used an image of our sun's solar flares for reference. I also played with impasto - making a 3d effect by layering the paint thickly on the canvas. What should I name this one? 🎨 #spaceart
"Heart Nebula"
This 20x20cm acrylic painting captures the beauty of the Heart Nebula (center) and the Fishhead Nebula (bottom right). The Heart Nebula gets its name from its resemblance to a heart when observed in visible light. 🔭
1/4
This 20x20cm acrylic painting captures the beauty of the Heart Nebula (center) and the Fishhead Nebula (bottom right). The Heart Nebula gets its name from its resemblance to a heart when observed in visible light. 🔭
1/4
April 5, 2024 at 9:22 AM
"Heart Nebula"
This 20x20cm acrylic painting captures the beauty of the Heart Nebula (center) and the Fishhead Nebula (bottom right). The Heart Nebula gets its name from its resemblance to a heart when observed in visible light. 🔭
1/4
This 20x20cm acrylic painting captures the beauty of the Heart Nebula (center) and the Fishhead Nebula (bottom right). The Heart Nebula gets its name from its resemblance to a heart when observed in visible light. 🔭
1/4
New art: Southern Ring Nebula. Despite its name, the Southern Ring Nebula appears like a bubble or an hourglass due to its complex structure. A handful of stars are responsible for the formation of this breathtaking nebula. 🔭
April 3, 2024 at 7:00 AM
New art: Southern Ring Nebula. Despite its name, the Southern Ring Nebula appears like a bubble or an hourglass due to its complex structure. A handful of stars are responsible for the formation of this breathtaking nebula. 🔭
Now the photo:
April 1, 2024 at 9:41 AM
Now the photo:
For Valentine's Day last week, I painted the Antennae Galaxies, also known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 - a pair of interacting galaxies located in the constellation Corvus. #spaceart 🔭
February 21, 2024 at 2:00 PM
For Valentine's Day last week, I painted the Antennae Galaxies, also known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 - a pair of interacting galaxies located in the constellation Corvus. #spaceart 🔭
The Ring Nebula, also known as M57, is a stunning planetary nebula located ~2,000 ly away in the constellation Lyra. 🔭 The distinctive colourful ring was formed by a dying star, once similar in size to our Sun, shedding its outer layers as it entered its final stages of life.
February 20, 2024 at 12:24 PM
The Ring Nebula, also known as M57, is a stunning planetary nebula located ~2,000 ly away in the constellation Lyra. 🔭 The distinctive colourful ring was formed by a dying star, once similar in size to our Sun, shedding its outer layers as it entered its final stages of life.