Leila Belkora PhD, astrophysics
@leilabelkora.bsky.social
2.1K followers 1.7K following 940 posts
Science writer. Roots in US (NE/CO), Morocco, Switzerland. She/her. Current project: poet Robert Frost as amateur astronomer, to come from Clemson @cupress.bsky.social Agent Henry Thayer at Brandt & Hochman.
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leilabelkora.bsky.social
It was even on high-quality stationery!
leilabelkora.bsky.social
I received a hand-written letter in the mail. 🥹

That’s it, that’s the post.
leilabelkora.bsky.social
Thank you, gentleman naturalist! Are you in the UK? I know the book ships from the US, so we get a break on that score, not sure if it also ships from the UK. If the shipping costs are high you might look for it in a library.
leilabelkora.bsky.social
So frustrating! I thought about looking for the comet with binoculars, but then I remembered how foggy or overcast mornings have been lately.

Also, a giant orb weaver has been hanging right over the garden gate. I would not only have to get up super early, I’d have to dodge that monster. 😆
leilabelkora.bsky.social
If you’re in the market for a book on the history of astronomy, praised by Cornell prof Martha Haynes as “A terrific blend of the science and the history,” good news! 🧪🔭

I have a 20% discount code for you, valid now through Jan 2026: 25SMA4.
Book title is Minding the Heavens, the story of our discovery of the Milky Way. Cover has illustration of 18th century astronomer using large telescope. Background image of night sky.
Reposted by Leila Belkora PhD, astrophysics
palomarskies.bsky.social
Another look at Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) from this morning. Here's three 8-minutes exposures showing its motion against the background of the stars. 🔭
leilabelkora.bsky.social
A bit of book-related research at the UC Irvine libraries.
Two towers connected at the back by a drum-shaped building. White sculpture with huddled figure, squeezed between two book-like slabs, looking up. Exhibit panel on biological diversity studies featuring a large blue-winged butterfly. Architectural half-arched and tile terrace.
leilabelkora.bsky.social
Robert Frost, conservative by the standards of his day, with wry remarks on what that meant to him. Speaking in 1941 at the Library of Congress.
More than 500 persons heard Mr. Frost’s discussion of the role of a poet in a democracy. He identified a conservative as a person who says he won’t do what he’s just about to do. Then he declared that the government of which I dream is going to refuse to take its own advantage, just as I hope to see the common man refuse to seek his own advantage, as was expected only of gentlemen in the old days.
leilabelkora.bsky.social
I’m sad to see this. In our house we always say “Mind the cyclist!” in her voice.
leilabelkora.bsky.social
Another day writing/revising. The garden is somewhat neglected but roses are blooming anyway.
Orange-red rose amid green leaves.
leilabelkora.bsky.social
I’m glad you had a good outcome and all is well now.
leilabelkora.bsky.social
I’m glad you finally got what you needed.
leilabelkora.bsky.social
Thank you. I’m happy you had a good outcome!
leilabelkora.bsky.social
Sorry about your dad. And yes, I know what you mean about being taken seriously.