News Updates
2026
September
- September 14–23, 2026: Coverage of International Observe The Moon Night 2026
On bringing Apollo lunar samples to the University of Reading and organising the University's public Moon-observing event.
Sources: University of Reading | Thames Gazette | Reading Today | Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce | Reading Dispatch | BBC Radio Berkshire
May–June
- May 6 – June 26, 2026: Coverage of the 2026 Carl Sagan Medal
On receiving the Carl Sagan Medal for Excellence in Public Communication in Planetary Science and my work communicating astronomy through animations and videos.
Sources: University of Reading | BBC News | Yahoo News | AOL | Orbital Today | Reading Today | Greatest Hits Radio | Northern Gazette | Southern Gazette | East Anglia Gazette | Royal Astronomical Society | PCST Network
- May 21, 2026: Commentary on the rings of Uranus
Quoted on new observations and our understanding of Uranus's ring system.
Source: List23
2025
October
- October 3: Coverage in Forbes
On ‘Observe The Moon Night’ and ’100 Hours of Stargazing’.
Source: Forbes
- October 2: Coverage in Hello Rayo
University of Reading hosts “Observe the Moon Night” event for the public.
Source: Hello Rayo
September
- September 19: Coverage of our Jupiter observations for NASA Juno mission
Distant images of Jupiter captured using the Keck telescope.
Sources: BBC | Fooshya | WN.com |
- September 15–18: Coverage of our Jupiter observations for NASA Juno mission
Distant images of Jupiter captured using the Keck telescope.
Sources: Reading Chronicle | Reading Today | Ground News | University of Reading
- September 11: Opinion column in NewsCham
Commentary addressing recent astronomical events and public engagement.
Source: NewsCham
- September 10: Quoted across multiple outlets
On how Saturn will be visible this month: why the public should look up.
Sources: The Guardian | Newz9 | Yahoo News UK | Fooshya
- September 2: Coverage in RDG.Today
On International Observe the Moon Night — University of Reading invites the public to view the Moon at Whiteknights Campus.
Source: RDG.Today
August
- August 28: Feature in ECOticias
“Has always been elusive” — On a mysterious blue glow lighting up the Solar System.
Source: ECOticias
- August 22: Feature in Silicon Republic
On how Earth’s days are getting shorter (or longer) — a space-time explainer.
Source: Silicon Republic
- August 13: Commentary featured in New Scientist
On six of the most fascinating moments in the history of our solar system.
Source: New Scientist
June
- June 1: Commentary featured in EarthSky
On proposed NASA budget cuts and their potential impact on U.S. space science.
Source: EarthSky
May
- May 14: Commentary featured the New York Times and DNYUZ
On the discovery of visible aurorae on Mars
Sources: DNyuz | The New York Times
- May 12–14: Commentary featured in multiple outlets
On new images of the aurorae of Jupiter and Neptune
Sources: The Independent | Yahoo News | MSN | AOL News | Inkl
April
- April 14–25: Continued coverage of our discovery of a vast hot region on Jupiter
Quotes as lead author of the study.
Sources: Mandarinian News | Tameteo | Pledge Times | DasWetter | Physics World
- April 9: Media coverage of our discovery of a vast hot region on Jupiter
Quotes as lead author of the study.
Sources: EarthSky | Knowridge Science Report | Space Daily | The i Paper (print edition)
- April 6: Media coverage of our study on Neptune's aurora
Quotes as co-author of the study.
Sources: EcoPortal
- April 5: Commentary on the disappearance of the Moon
Speculating on Earth's fate if the Moon vanished.
Sources: Manchester Evening News
- April 3–5: Media coverage of our discovery of a vast hot region on Jupiter
Quotes as lead author of the study.
Sources: Space.com | IFLScience | Gizmodo | India Today | Science Daily | ABC | Interesting Engineering | Inkl | phys.org | Eurekalert | Mirage News | Media Indonesia | University of Reading | The Brighter Side | ABP Live | Germanic News | Globo
March
- March 28: Commentary in numerous outlets
On the curious swirl seen over Europe, caused by fuel from a SpaceX rocket.
Sources: World Today News | Space-Travel.com | New Delhi Times | Singtao USA | Nychinaren | Chinese in Houston | Chinese in Florida | Seattle Chinaren | Chinese in LA | DC Chinaren | Vegas Chinaren | China Daily | Chinese in Atlanta
- March 27: Media coverage of our study on Neptune’s aurora
Quotes as co-author of the study.
Sources: Independent | ABC News | AOL | KOB | Rochester First | Daily Journal | Winnipeg Free Press | Space Daily | Yahoo News | Houston Chronicle | Your Source One | Manistee News | News4Jax | CT Insider | KSAT | SFGate | Big Rapids News | Daily Mail | Click2Houston | ClickOnDetroit | Local10 | WRIC | ClickOrlando | WTOP | Newsday | KSTP | Belfast Telegraph | Vancouver is Awesome | Breaking News | US News | Inkl | MSN | AP News | Reading.Today | Irish Examiner | Metro | Breitbart | Japan Today | Science Alert | Creaders News
- March 26: Commentary in numerous outlets
On the curious swirl seen over Europe, caused by fuel from a SpaceX rocket.
Sources: France24 | International Business Times | News of Bahrain | The Dawn | The Express Tribune | Bangkok Post | South China Morning Post | The Straits Times | Yahoo News | Phys.org | Science Alert Commentary in multiple sources on...
...a large asteroid passing close to Earth
Sources: MailOnline | Economic Times
- March 5: Featured in National Geographic
Discussed Saturn’s newly discovered moons and its record-breaking moon count
Source: National Geographic
February
- February 27: Commentary featured in various outlets
On asteroid 2024 YR4 impact probabilities and size.
Sources: Hersfelder Zeitung | Ludwigshafen24 | Wetterauer Zeitung
- February 24: Commentary featured in various outlets
On updated impact probabilities for asteroid 2024 YR4.
Sources: Chiemgau24 | Fuldaer Zeitung | Innsalzach24
- February 21: Commentary featured in various outlets
On the chances of asteroid 2024 YR4 impacting Earth.
Sources: Merkur | SWP.de | Biz Chosun
- February 20: Commentary featured in various outlets
On the potential impact risk of asteroid 2024 YR4.
Sources: BuzzFeed Germany | Op Online | FNP | Wetterauer Zeitung | Gießener Anzeiger | Chiemgau24 | Mannheim24 | Come-on.de | TZ.de
- February 18: Commentary featured in various outlets
On the potential impact risk of asteroid 2024 YR4.
Sources: Manchester Evening News | HNA | Mannheim24 | Merkur | Chiemgau24 | Heidelberg24 | BuzzFeed Germany | Op Online | Echo24 | Kreiszeitung | TZ.de | Come-on.de | WA.de | Soester Anzeiger | FNP
- February 14: Commentary in multiple sources on...
...Asteroid 2024 YR4's potential impact risk
Sources: Manchester Evening News (1) | Manchester Evening News (2) | Come-on.de | Echo24 | Fuldaer Zeitung | Chiemgau24 | Merkur | SWP.de
January
- January 7: Quoted by IFLScience
About Saturn appearing without its rings
Source: IFLScience
2024
November
- November 26: Commentary in EarthSky
On NASA’s Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter’s icy ocean moon.
Source: EarthSky
- November 22: Commentary in The New York Times
About Martian moons Phobos and Deimos
Source: The New York Times
October
- October 10: Commentary in The New York Times
About Jupiter's Great Red Spot
Sources: The New York Times | Repost by MSN | Repost by Railly News Repost by Hawaii Tribune Herald - October 9: Appeared in documentary for PBS NOVA
Subject Matter Expert on "Solar System," filmed on location in the Canary Islands
Sources: PBS NOVA | Uni of Reading - October 7 and 14: Commentary in EarthSky and The Week
About NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft mission to Europa, the icy moon of Jupiter
Sources: EarthSky | The Week - October 7: Appeared in documentary for The BBC, reported by Space.com and inkl
Content Matter Expert on camera and a leading academic consultant on "Solar System" with Prof. Brian Cox
Sources: BBC iPlayer | Space.com | inkl | Uni of Reading - October 4: Authored an article for The Conversation
On NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft mission to Europa, icy moon of Jupiter
Sources: The Conversation | Repost by Yahoo News | Repost by Phys.org | Repost by Weather Network
September
- September 20: Animation featured on Business Insider and AOL
About Seasons, Solstice/Equinox, and the arrival of the first day of fall
Sources: Business Insider and AOL - September 3 and 5: Commentary in The NY Post, The Mirror, IFLS and Indian Express
About Saturn's disappearing rings
Sources: NY Post, The Mirror, and IFLS - September 3: Interviewed by Wokingham Today and Reading Chronicle
About International Observe the Moon Night and public telescope use at the University
Sources: Wokingham Today | Reading Chronicle | Indian Express
August
- August 18: /Commentary in The Times
About water on Mars and its implications for the search for alien life
Source: The Times - August 5: Animation featured in CNN Indonesia
About Earth's orbit around the Sun
Source: CNN Indonesia
July
- July 16: Animation featured in NDTV
About the Earth's orbit around something near the Sun, explained by NASA
Source: NDTV - July 10: Animation featured in Kerala Kaumudi
About the Earth's orbit and related scientific concepts
Source: Kerala Kaumudi
June
- June 19: Animation featured in The Weather Network
About the summer solstice
Source: The Weather Network - June 17: Animation featured in IFLScience
About Earth's orbit and the technicality that we don't orbit the Sun's centre
Source: IFLScience - June 13: Commentary in The New York Times
About Mars auroras and solar storms
Source: The New York Times
May
- May 31: Interviewed by CNN
About the six-planet alignment in the "Planet Parade"
Source: CNN - May 21: Gave a public lecture for The Royal Astronomical Society
About planetary science and the unexpected use of animation in communicating science
Source: RAS Public Lecture - May 14: Interviewed by ITV Meridian TV
About the Auroras seen in the UK
Source: ITV Meridian TV - May 10: Commentary in The Journal
About the Northern Lights visible in Europe
Source: The Journal
March
- March 22: Interviewed by The BBC, The Indian Express, Reading.co.uk and Heart Radio Berkshire
About our success obtaining JWST telescope time to look at Saturn and Uranus
Sources: BBC News | The Indian Express | Reading.co.uk - March 19: Animation featured in The Weather Network
About the earliest vernal equinox in 128 years
Source: The Weather Network - March 7: Quoted in Wokingham Today
On the fireball meteor spotted over the UK, visible from Wokingham.
Source: Wokingham Today
February
- February 27: Article made exclusively about animation by Business Insider
About why leap years are necessary and what happens without them
Source: Business Insider - February 26: Article made exclusively about animation by Vox
About the science of leap years and calendar explanations
Source: Vox
January
- January 22, 2024: Authored a blog for University of Reading Met. Dept.
About the evolution and destruction of Saturn’s rings
Source: University of Reading Blog
2023
December
- December 29: Article exclusively about animation featured in Sorae
About space science and related animations
Source: Sorae - December 17 and 25: Commentary in Toronto Sun and The Mirror
About Saturn's equinox and the disappearance of its rings from Earth's view
Sources: Toronto Sun and The Mirror
November
- November 22: Image credit featured in ScienceAlert
In an article about the James Webb Space Telescope discovering a young galaxy with a surprising amount of metals
Source: ScienceAlert - November 6-22: Commentary in several outlets
About the disappearance of Saturn's rings during the Saturn equinox in 2025
Sources: Knewz, Greek Reporter, Indian Express (Nov 12), CBS News, The Mirror, Free Press Journal, Newsweek, Indy100, Green Matters, and Fox 5 Atlanta
September
- September 7, 2023: Co-hosted a live observing event with the Royal Astronomical Society
Live observing of Jupiter from telescopes in Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Source: Royal Astronomical Society
August
- 2 Aug, 2023 – Commentary featured in HowStuffWorks
About Saturn’s rings being a blip in time.
Source: HowStuffWorks
July
- 20 and 28 July, 2023 – Commentary featured in Sky at Night and Economy Middle East
About Saturn's rings disappearing quickly.
Sources: Sky at Night Magazine and Economy Middle East