Prof Jim Wild
@jim-wild
President of the Royal Astronomical Society, Professor of Space Physics at Lancaster University and lover of all things spacey. Fell-runner, EV enthusiast, film/soundtrack geek and curry fan. My own views etc.
Realised during a little local jog today that it’s two years ago this weekend that I successfully completed a Bob Graham Round! Need to find another challenge 🤔
Preparing to head home from NAM 2026 in Birmingham. Conversations reflected the challenges facing our community, but the sense of optimism remains. The science was outstanding and the passion and talent of students and early career researchers were impossible to miss. Tired but re-energised!
Looking forward to teaming up with @astroroyalscot.bsky.social, @chrislintott.bsky.social, @drbecky.bsky.social, @jonbutterworth.bsky.social, Brian Cox and others in Westminster! #STFCCuts #UKRI
Heading to Parliament to meet MPs and enlist their help to stop the cuts that UKRI and STFC will impose upon UK particle physics, astrophysics and nuclear (PPAN) research! We need to help Science Minister Vallance, who is “determined that UKRI must find a way to look after PPAN” #SaveUKAstronomy
End-of-week spirit cleansing* Feat. puddle, mud, sheep 💩 and angry swans 🦢
Local fun this evening speaking at a @pintofscience.uk event organised by @sci-tech-lancaster.bsky.social the Gregson Institute in Lancaster. Thanks to everyone who came and for the great questions asked!
Also got to see Carrington’s nomination for RAS Fellowship on display in the library. Interesting to see his affiliation was originally written “University of Durham” but was amended to “Observatory of Durham”. I wonder if this was because he was an assistant observer rather than an academic?
Heading to London to give my lecture at the @royalastrosoc.bsky.social. Was disappointed that the train at Platform 5 was not mine!
Spent the morning fanboying with some Carrington-related artefacts at the @royalastrosoc.bsky.social. Amazing to get the chance to view these sketches which are - if you are a #spaceweather aficionado - the G.O.A.T. ☀️ 🔭
IOP President Paul Howarth and I have today written to Science Minister Lord Vallance calling for a full impact assessment of proposed STFC cuts to particle physics, astronomy and nuclear (PPAN) research.
Suited and booted for an early departure to London for RAS Council and the AGM 🔭
Lovely to be invited up to the roof for an impromptu solar observing session with the students!
What incredible images: four astronauts returning from a circumlunar flight photographed by the crew of the ISS in low Earth orbit 😲 (Images: NASA)
Watching the live feed as re-entry approaches. Incredible images form the Orion spacecraft. Good luck everyone 👍 #artemisII www.youtube.com/live/m3kR2KK...
“after a request from RPN, UKRI said the STFC budget would be £849m in 2026-27, £821m in 2027-28, £824m in 2028-29 and £842m in 2029-30” “Since 2023-24, inflation has seen STFC’s budget drop in real terms and is expected to continue to decline through to 2029-30.”
Fabulous to be able to say hello to Dr Helen Sharman OBE today, astronaut and President of the Institute of Science and Technology. An inspirational figure in British human spaceflight! 👩🏻🚀🇬🇧
I was lucky enough to get a personal tour from Max Alexander around the wonderful Our Fragile Space exhibition installed in the courtyard of the Royal Astronomical Society. Thank you Max! @royalastrosoc.bsky.social
Excited to have come away from my trip to London for Royal Astronomical Society Council with a batch of newly-printed “Save Astronomy” stickers! 🔭 @royalastrosoc.bsky.social
Photocall: the recently rediscovered portrait of British astronomer Richard Carrington (the father of #spaceweather), legendary space physicist and President of the Royal Astronomical Society Prof Mike Lockwood, and me 😁@royalastrosoc.bsky.social #astronomy #space
Back at the Royal Astronomical Society today for a meeting of the independent Space Environment Impact Experts Group. Although the meeting has been in the diary for months, there will no doubt be plenty of discussion about this week’s solar storm! #spaceweather @royalastrosoc.bsky.social