Mark A. Norris
@markanorris.bsky.social
Astronomer, Educator, Traveller, Human, Mild cynic.
Short timelapse of 3I/ATLAS observed from the Alston Observatory on Saturday morning.
The number of satellites visible is already seriously annoying. One passes almost directly over the comet.
youtu.be/cfkVNk8mYBc
The number of satellites visible is already seriously annoying. One passes almost directly over the comet.
youtu.be/cfkVNk8mYBc
3I/ATLAS Observed from the Alston Observatory
YouTube video by Mark Norris
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Short timelapse of 3I/ATLAS observed from the Alston Observatory on Saturday morning.
The number of satellites visible is already seriously annoying. One passes almost directly over the comet.
youtu.be/cfkVNk8mYBc
The number of satellites visible is already seriously annoying. One passes almost directly over the comet.
youtu.be/cfkVNk8mYBc
Only billionaires unused to ever being told no could come up with such a spectacularly dumb idea.
The highly complex and physically enormous cooling system on the International Space System can remove 70kW of heat. That is enough for 100 H200 chips. Datacenters have 10's of thousands.
The highly complex and physically enormous cooling system on the International Space System can remove 70kW of heat. That is enough for 100 H200 chips. Datacenters have 10's of thousands.
“.. Skeptics believe the technical risks are being underestimated and say space-based data centers won’t be competitive on cost, especially if power and other constraints ease on the ground.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
December 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Only billionaires unused to ever being told no could come up with such a spectacularly dumb idea.
The highly complex and physically enormous cooling system on the International Space System can remove 70kW of heat. That is enough for 100 H200 chips. Datacenters have 10's of thousands.
The highly complex and physically enormous cooling system on the International Space System can remove 70kW of heat. That is enough for 100 H200 chips. Datacenters have 10's of thousands.
Caught a nice meteor in the latest timelapse from the observatory tonight.
December 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Caught a nice meteor in the latest timelapse from the observatory tonight.
That Admiral better not plan on ever leaving US territory again. Other countries are legally bound to prosecute war crimes even if the US won’t.
December 5, 2025 at 8:33 AM
That Admiral better not plan on ever leaving US territory again. Other countries are legally bound to prosecute war crimes even if the US won’t.
Henry isn’t half a smug little @&£*& every time he gets stuck behind a door (which is every time).
December 4, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Henry isn’t half a smug little @&£*& every time he gets stuck behind a door (which is every time).
So they don’t actually want a deal.
How could Ukraine possibly agree to a peace deal without knowing what security guarantees there were first?
How could Ukraine possibly agree to a peace deal without knowing what security guarantees there were first?
⚡️ US to discuss Ukraine security guarantees after peace deal signed, Rubio tells allies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured allies during a Nov. 25 call that the U.S. plans to address security guarantees once an agreement is reached, Politico reported.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured allies during a Nov. 25 call that the U.S. plans to address security guarantees once an agreement is reached, Politico reported.
US to discuss Ukraine security guarantees after peace deal signed, Rubio tells allies
Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured allies during a Nov. 25 call that the U.S. plans to address security guarantees once an agreement is reached, Politico reported.
kyivindependent.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:57 AM
So they don’t actually want a deal.
How could Ukraine possibly agree to a peace deal without knowing what security guarantees there were first?
How could Ukraine possibly agree to a peace deal without knowing what security guarantees there were first?
We grabbed a timelapse of the comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) tonight at the Alston Observatory. This is the comet that has broken apart.
It is really moving. This motion is only over about 40 minutes.
youtu.be/xDL_k6tpGOA
It is really moving. This motion is only over about 40 minutes.
youtu.be/xDL_k6tpGOA
Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)
YouTube video by Mark Norris
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 12:38 AM
We grabbed a timelapse of the comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) tonight at the Alston Observatory. This is the comet that has broken apart.
It is really moving. This motion is only over about 40 minutes.
youtu.be/xDL_k6tpGOA
It is really moving. This motion is only over about 40 minutes.
youtu.be/xDL_k6tpGOA
Reposted by Mark A. Norris
More space junk in the news! The crew rotation on the Chinese space station was disrupted last week due to space debris cracking the glass in a window of the Shenzhou 20 capsule. In between meetings I've been doing media interviews about the problem - and why debris is becoming a regular issue.
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 PM
More space junk in the news! The crew rotation on the Chinese space station was disrupted last week due to space debris cracking the glass in a window of the Shenzhou 20 capsule. In between meetings I've been doing media interviews about the problem - and why debris is becoming a regular issue.
Sadly we are going to see more and more of this.
Not on our Physics/Astrophysics courses though.
The least you can expect for your tuition fees are lectures thoughtfully designed by experts in the material.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Not on our Physics/Astrophysics courses though.
The least you can expect for your tuition fees are lectures thoughtfully designed by experts in the material.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
‘We could have asked ChatGPT’: students fight back over course taught by AI
Staffordshire students say signs material was AI-generated included suspicious file names and rogue voiceover accent
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Sadly we are going to see more and more of this.
Not on our Physics/Astrophysics courses though.
The least you can expect for your tuition fees are lectures thoughtfully designed by experts in the material.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Not on our Physics/Astrophysics courses though.
The least you can expect for your tuition fees are lectures thoughtfully designed by experts in the material.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
When I started University the first exoplanet transit had recently been detected (using the HST).
Now a relatively small telescope in a muddy, partially cloudy field in Lancashire can detect a planet orbiting a star hundreds of light years away.
TOI1259A b seen with the IHT on the 19th of Nov.
Now a relatively small telescope in a muddy, partially cloudy field in Lancashire can detect a planet orbiting a star hundreds of light years away.
TOI1259A b seen with the IHT on the 19th of Nov.
November 23, 2025 at 1:06 AM
When I started University the first exoplanet transit had recently been detected (using the HST).
Now a relatively small telescope in a muddy, partially cloudy field in Lancashire can detect a planet orbiting a star hundreds of light years away.
TOI1259A b seen with the IHT on the 19th of Nov.
Now a relatively small telescope in a muddy, partially cloudy field in Lancashire can detect a planet orbiting a star hundreds of light years away.
TOI1259A b seen with the IHT on the 19th of Nov.
Last night we made a short but very high resolution timelapse of the sky over the Alston Observatory of the University of Lancashire as we were observing.
We are still optimising for best performance, and clearly need a dew heater, but it looks promising so far.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKP0...
We are still optimising for best performance, and clearly need a dew heater, but it looks promising so far.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKP0...
Timelapse of the North Celestial Pole from the Alston Observatory of the University of Lancashire
YouTube video by Mark Norris
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Last night we made a short but very high resolution timelapse of the sky over the Alston Observatory of the University of Lancashire as we were observing.
We are still optimising for best performance, and clearly need a dew heater, but it looks promising so far.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKP0...
We are still optimising for best performance, and clearly need a dew heater, but it looks promising so far.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKP0...
Managed to get some imaging of another comet (not that one) last night. You can clearly see that C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) has broken apart into several fragments.
There are no stars because I tracked the comet, and the streaks left by the stars were rejected when the images were combined.
There are no stars because I tracked the comet, and the streaks left by the stars were rejected when the images were combined.
November 20, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Managed to get some imaging of another comet (not that one) last night. You can clearly see that C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) has broken apart into several fragments.
There are no stars because I tracked the comet, and the streaks left by the stars were rejected when the images were combined.
There are no stars because I tracked the comet, and the streaks left by the stars were rejected when the images were combined.
Finally got enough of a clear patch this morning to grab some images of 3I/ATLAS from the Alston Observatory, through light pollution, a bit of cloud and a tree. I even got to try out the non-sidereal tracking on the telescope (hence the star trails).
It is still there, it is still a comet.
It is still there, it is still a comet.
November 17, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Finally got enough of a clear patch this morning to grab some images of 3I/ATLAS from the Alston Observatory, through light pollution, a bit of cloud and a tree. I even got to try out the non-sidereal tracking on the telescope (hence the star trails).
It is still there, it is still a comet.
It is still there, it is still a comet.
At the launch of Derek’s book with Brian May and J.P Metsavaino. Islands in infinity. I may have been involved in fact checking.
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
At the launch of Derek’s book with Brian May and J.P Metsavaino. Islands in infinity. I may have been involved in fact checking.
Starting to build up a decent library of student theses.
November 13, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Starting to build up a decent library of student theses.
Reposted by Mark A. Norris
Join us for the next JHI Public Lecture (Dec 4th) as Professor Clive Ruggles (Leicester) explores the idea that our ancestors used "ancient observatories" as part of their ritual lives. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sun-stones...
Sun, stones and stars:exploring ancient sky knowledge
Join Professor Clive Ruggles as he dives into the ancient secrets of the sky with Sun, stones, and stars!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Join us for the next JHI Public Lecture (Dec 4th) as Professor Clive Ruggles (Leicester) explores the idea that our ancestors used "ancient observatories" as part of their ritual lives. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sun-stones...
Did you know that because space is expanding time appears to slow down when we observe distant galaxies?
I made a short video explaining cosmological time dilation, how we measure it, and what effects it has on how we view the universe.
Makes a change from comets.
youtu.be/mwtiHhVUALA
I made a short video explaining cosmological time dilation, how we measure it, and what effects it has on how we view the universe.
Makes a change from comets.
youtu.be/mwtiHhVUALA
How an expanding universe slows down time.
YouTube video by Mark Norris
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Did you know that because space is expanding time appears to slow down when we observe distant galaxies?
I made a short video explaining cosmological time dilation, how we measure it, and what effects it has on how we view the universe.
Makes a change from comets.
youtu.be/mwtiHhVUALA
I made a short video explaining cosmological time dilation, how we measure it, and what effects it has on how we view the universe.
Makes a change from comets.
youtu.be/mwtiHhVUALA
Well that’s a first. My only mildly sarcastic answer to a question about how we know 3I/ATLAS is a comet made it onto Have I Got News For You.
😂😂😂
😂😂😂
November 7, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Well that’s a first. My only mildly sarcastic answer to a question about how we know 3I/ATLAS is a comet made it onto Have I Got News For You.
😂😂😂
😂😂😂
Nice lunar rainbow while observing during the public stargazing night at the Alston Observatory.
November 5, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Nice lunar rainbow while observing during the public stargazing night at the Alston Observatory.
Reposted by Mark A. Norris
It’s #supermoon time! If you have clear skies tonight (not likely in NW England…!) do have a look. Your brain is not good at measuring the size and brightness of things on the sky, so you might not be able to tell, but a full moon is always nice to look at! 🌕 Spoke to BBC 5 Live about it at 6.55am.
November 5, 2025 at 7:53 AM
It’s #supermoon time! If you have clear skies tonight (not likely in NW England…!) do have a look. Your brain is not good at measuring the size and brightness of things on the sky, so you might not be able to tell, but a full moon is always nice to look at! 🌕 Spoke to BBC 5 Live about it at 6.55am.
Quick update video on the real science (plus some hopefully not ill-informed speculation) of 3I/ATLAS around it's closest approach to the Sun.
Rapid brightening! Changing colour? non-gravitational acceleration! It is Aliens yet?
No. But it's still cool.
youtu.be/oX8vBXhFQ5o
Rapid brightening! Changing colour? non-gravitational acceleration! It is Aliens yet?
No. But it's still cool.
youtu.be/oX8vBXhFQ5o
All The Latest Real Science on 3I/ATLAS
YouTube video by Mark Norris
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Quick update video on the real science (plus some hopefully not ill-informed speculation) of 3I/ATLAS around it's closest approach to the Sun.
Rapid brightening! Changing colour? non-gravitational acceleration! It is Aliens yet?
No. But it's still cool.
youtu.be/oX8vBXhFQ5o
Rapid brightening! Changing colour? non-gravitational acceleration! It is Aliens yet?
No. But it's still cool.
youtu.be/oX8vBXhFQ5o
Can anyone remind me how to extract previous estimates of orbital elements from the minor planet center?
i.e. how do I see how the numbers have changed as measurements have improved?
i.e. how do I see how the numbers have changed as measurements have improved?
November 1, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Can anyone remind me how to extract previous estimates of orbital elements from the minor planet center?
i.e. how do I see how the numbers have changed as measurements have improved?
i.e. how do I see how the numbers have changed as measurements have improved?
I made a (relatively) short video looking at the 8 reasons Avi Loeb thinks 3I/ATLAS has a 40% chance of being aliens.
I’m not impressed.
youtu.be/y-oQ44pQdCU?...
I’m not impressed.
youtu.be/y-oQ44pQdCU?...
3I/ATLAS: Does it Really Have 40% Chance It's Alien?
YouTube video by Mark Norris
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I made a (relatively) short video looking at the 8 reasons Avi Loeb thinks 3I/ATLAS has a 40% chance of being aliens.
I’m not impressed.
youtu.be/y-oQ44pQdCU?...
I’m not impressed.
youtu.be/y-oQ44pQdCU?...
Morale in some areas of UK academia might be a bit low right now, but some people still have a (good) sense of humour.
October 28, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Morale in some areas of UK academia might be a bit low right now, but some people still have a (good) sense of humour.
What are the odds that the plans for this look xeroxed with Falcon 9 crudely crossed out and Zhuque-3 written in the corner in biro?
China's first REUSABLE rocket, Zhuque-3, has completed engine tests and begun final preparations before its maiden flight.
October 26, 2025 at 11:22 AM
What are the odds that the plans for this look xeroxed with Falcon 9 crudely crossed out and Zhuque-3 written in the corner in biro?