Fred Watson

Australia's Astronomer-at-large, writer, science communicator, good lighting advocate, traveller.

[ESO @ESO]

Look at those gigantic steel arches! The #ELT dome is taking shape, giving us a glimpse of how big the #BiggestEyeOnTheSky will be! 😮

If you look closely, you can see the construction workers 👷

High res & info ➡️ https://t.co/ZBvN2gehBp

📷 G. Hüdepohl/ESO

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

Supermoonrise in the suburbs!

[Christine Cawsey AM @chriscawsey]

@ProfBrianCox I was with a group of secondary school principals when Australian astronomer @StargazerFred asked us to consider what we do differently if we knew we were “alone” in the universe? I still think of the question and the real challenge (burden) it places on educators now and future.

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

@ozalba @wikivictorian You’re right - the hallmark looks odd. At first sight it’s a Birmingham assay mark (lion and anchor) for 1830 (gothic G) but it’s been done with the wrong kind of punch and the date is about 50 years too early! Maybe you’re right and it’s a US mark.

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

@ozalba @wikivictorian Yes, it is lovely. It’s a standard large trumpet-style Galilean field glass but beautifully decorated. I’d guess it’s in aluminium, which commanded premium prices in these glasses. Thanks for sharing!

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

All you students are totally inspiring! The presentations made a fantastic finale to the @AstroSocAus ASM - well done everyone.

[Sarah Bradbury @SarahNBradbury]

So excited to receive 1st prize for best student sparkler at the @AstroSocAus AGM! Thank you to the community for offering this prize, + a huge congrats to all recipients. It gives me such faith that creativity is recognised in astronomy 🤩 #ASAASM2023

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

All good and well on its way! https://t.co/levJ6uuXcn

[darkskyaus @darkskyaus]

I / ADSA frequently get asked by councils what tools they can use to implement dark sky strategies to their sustainability programs.

This is a well-thought out document with practical tips on what and how to incorporate better night lighting.

Australi…https://t.co/awF2CBHDky

[Matthew Bailes @matthewbailes]

Congratulations to @CSIRO_ATNF's Parkes Pulsar Timing Array, @NANOGrav , the #EPTA and #CPTA on their advances towards nanohertz gravitational wave astrophysics using supermassive black hole binaries! Can't wait to finish manicuring the @SKA_Africa MeerKAT data to join the party!

[darkskyaus @darkskyaus]

Thanks to @TimElliottSMH for his interest in this topic.
Light pollution is the least known but easiest solved pollutant.
Articles like this go a long way to raise awareness
@IDADarkSky @SidingSpring @ANUmedia

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

The environmental and health effects of light pollution. Like ⁦@darkskyaus⁩ says - turn it off! https://t.co/RmPGuJzrav

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

Totally Texan Total Solar Eclipse - https://t.co/KRIyL81OH0

[Ángel López-Sánchez @El_Lobo_Rayado]

This is just a quick processing of one of the ~1200 frames I got last night of the sky over Siding Spring Observatory. 25s, 14mm lens a f/2.8 using CANON 5D Mark III at 1600s. Processing with PS Camera Raw using new IA tools for removing noise. Just wow, I had to share it!

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

Very sorry to hear this news…

[Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @AstroRoyalScot]

Nick Kaiser was the Godfather of weak lensing, a true Titan and honestly one of the nicest guys in the world. I've learnt so much from him and will really miss him.
🙏@telescoper for this beautiful piece on why Nick was so v special to so many of us.
https://t.co/m2eotl0RDs

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

@Cdvincent_colin Congratulations Colin! Also happy memories from AAT Board days…

[darkskyaus @darkskyaus]

@StargazerFred and AW Signs worked hard to get this planisphere to accurately display the night sky at Milparinka, whilst making it safe and easy to use by everyone.

[IAU CPS @IAU_CPS]

#DarkAndQuietSkies awareness month has just wrapped up. As part of our core mission, we’re working to mitigate the impact of satellite mega constellations on ground-based optical & radio astronomy, and to protect humanity’s enjoyment of the night sky! THREAD 🧵
Cc: @IAU_Outreach

[Fred Watson @StargazerFred]

Get OnTrack in OLD BLIGHTY (UK) - https://t.co/flNYUfqEF5