Prof Jim Wild Profile Banner
Prof Jim Wild Profile
Prof Jim Wild

@jim_wild

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Professor of Space Physics at @LancasterUni and lover of all things spacey. Fell-runner, EV enthusiast, film/soundtrack geek and curry fan. My own views etc.

Lancashire
Joined November 2009
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
📷🌋It was only a matter of time until someone managed it, but this is an *epic* photo of the northern lights over the #volcano in Fagradalsfjall #Iceland by Christopher Mathews! #aurora #Auroraborealis (via )
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
The boys and girls at @RAF_Luton doing sterling work to remind us that it’s worth pausing before angrily retweeting. Check out the quote tweets 🤣
@RAF_Luton
RAF_Luton
4 years
BREAKING: A Hawk fighter jet enforcing the No-Fly and No-Drive zone along the A40 in Whitechapel (London) as part of the #Covid_19 #teir4 #londonlockdown restrictions. #AvGeek
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
I really wish folks would stop saying that universities are planning for “business as usual”. It‘s a huge disservice to tens of thousands of academic + professional services staff who’ve spent the last 6 months trying to prepare for the most unusual academic year in a generation.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
Throughout the pandemic, @swear_trek has been a comedic companion, capturing so many moments perfectly. Turns out it has #heatwaveuk covered too 🥵
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
Although I've been a union member for almost 20 years, the current #USSstrike is the 1st time that I've stood on the picket line. I'm not an "activist" or a "militant" but pension changes being forced through by @UniversitiesUK are beyond the pale. #IdRatherBeTeaching [Thread]
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
The @LancasterUni students showing solidarity with the people of Ukraine 💙💛
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
The aurora hunters who chase the Northern Lights. Great story from @BBCNewsScotland about the folks who watch and capture the #auroraborealis on camera, including a little clip of me talking about what generates the #northernlights .
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 months
The @aurorawatchuk red alert issued at 19:02 BST understandably got a lot of people excited. The magnetic field spike at @SumburghHead looks plausible (I can see a similar spike in the @BritGeoSurvey Lerwick sensor) but was short lived. Activity calming down again now [1/2]
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
7 months
TFW your research makes it onto Have I Got News For You📺 🤣 🥂 #SpaceWeather #HIGNFY @CardiffCam @LancasterUni @LancUniPhysics
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
5 years
What can you do with a PhD in astrophysics? 👇🏻
@drerinmac
Erin Macdonald is Not Here (same un on the sky)
5 years
I’m excited to share that I’ve recently joined the @StarTrek team as a Science Consultant. Can’t wait to be working alongside the incredible cast & crews of the #StarTrekUniverse !
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
7 months
A colleague said he bet our story would get picked up by HIGNFY, and I replied that if it did, I’d retire. Better start planning the leaving do. Our research paper behind the story:
@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
7 months
TFW your research makes it onto Have I Got News For You📺 🤣 🥂 #SpaceWeather #HIGNFY @CardiffCam @LancasterUni @LancUniPhysics
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
It’s that time of year. The @LancasterUni ducklings are wandering campus. This Mum has her hands full 🦆 (For the faint-heated: yes, I stopped some traffic so they could cross the road)
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
Wow! I’ve won the @LancsUniSciTech 2023 Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Faculty of Science and Technology at @LancasterUni . A huge thank you to all of the colleagues who nominated me 🙏
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Academic #coronavirus meme evolution
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
Few people realise that @LancasterUni is so academic that gowns are required to shop in Greggs
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 months
Yesterday, Solar Orbiter (currently about halfway between Earth and Sun) was passed by a significant CME with southward magnetic field, expected to arrive later today (20/3). Potential to trigger some #aurora displays. Keep an eye on @aurorawatchuk ! 👀 #SpaceWeather
@SolarOrbiterMAG
Solar Orbiter magnetometer
4 months
Solar Orbiter is currently very well aligned with Earth. ESA's data systems have not had a good few days but we now have the latest data which show a CME with strong Southward fields. Expected arrival late on 20th. More info tomorrow.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
7 years
. @aurorawatchuk quoted in “Bright lights: Images of Wednesday's Aurora Borealis” @BBCNews
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Plan in place. Online forms created. Website updated. Applicants emailed. Answering calls. Replying to social media posts. WELL DONE to everyone involved in admissions at @LancasterUni 👏 GOOD LUCK to all the applicants whose situation has changed 🤞
@LancasterUni
Lancaster University
4 years
Following yesterday's announcement, we've updated our information regarding how your CAG grades can be used for your university place. If you would like us to review your application due to changed grades, head to our self service tool found here 👉
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
The @jodrellbank Lovell Telescope’s looking pretty funky this evening @bluedotfestival #BlueDot #bluedotfestival
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
Busy day! From @BBCr4today to @5_News via @bbc5live , @TimesRadio , @BBCLancashire and several others 😁
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
Thanks again to the colleagues who nominated me for this. The really lovely quotes included in the citation reminded me what a great team got us through a tough time (and some of those 🦠 times were really tough!) 🙏 #LoveLancaster @LancsUniSciTech
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
The journey begins! Heading to #EGU22 in Vienna. May the odds of connections be ever in my favour. #Train2EGU 🚅
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
5 years
I decided to format my #NAM2019 poster as a series of Tweets because...
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
7 years
My daughter (soon-to-be-6-years-old) chose this book from the library #veryproud #womeninSTEM
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 months
The solar wind is blasting past Earth at 900 km/s, but the interplanetary magnetic field strength has fallen back to near-normal levels. If another CME arrives everything could change, but at the moment tonight is looking much quieter than last night. #aurora #SpaceWeather
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
Excited to announce that, starting January, I will be the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Teaching in the Faculty of Science and Technology at @LancasterUni @LancsUniSciTech #LoveLancaster #NewYearNewChallenges
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
#spaceweather in action! Stunning image of Comet Leonard’s tail being disconnected due to interactions between the plasma in the tail and the magnetised solar wind. Awesome photo by Gerald Rhemann
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
The amazing @PSB_HQ blowing the roof off the Orbit tent at @bluedotfestival tonight. Such a great band. Such a amazing show. Standing in for Spiritualized at short notice, flying in EERA from Berlin for an amazing set. Wow 👏
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
As a counterpoint to the outside-the-Russell-Group-quality-will-be-low narrative, here are the 2020 National Student Survey results (with survey overlapping with lockdown slightly). NSS has its (many) faults but no evidence that RG offer a premium experience to students.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
“few beyond the Russell Group go beyond online lectures to offer online seminars and tutorials, so raising questions about the justification for £9,250 tuition fees”. What planet is Will Hutton on? 😡
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
Very excited that @SaturnSheila will be working with @LancUniPhysics as an Honorary Researcher. Looking forward to projects exploring #diversity and #outreach in #space and #astronomy !
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Morning run rainbow
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Bantshire call York University for the The Waterfowl University Rankings but less than 100 votes in it. Press conference from the @LancasterUni duck team expected shortly #FakeNews
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@BantshireUni
Bantshire University
4 years
🦆 ALL HAIL LONG BOI 🦆 The final results: Long Boi - 2,182 Lancaster Ducks - 2,090 SWANsea Swans - 1,048 Cath the OU Duck - 774 See the full table at
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
It’s 5:30pm. It’s Friday. Time for a birthday pint of @lancasterale . Hello Lancaster Blonde 😀
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Isaac Newton may have developed calculus while sheltering from the bubonic ‘Great Plague’ of 1665–6, but I bet his garage wasn’t as tidy as mine is right now 💪🏻 #LockdownEaster
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 months
Well that was pretty special. An arc going from horizon to horizon off to the south of Lancaster. So bright you could capture it in a video with your phone 😍 #aurora #spaceweather
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
In the office early this morning - expecting to be interviewed on #BBC #R4Today shortly about last night’s display of the #auroraborialis over the UK 🎤
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
Very chuffed to collect the @RoyalAstroSoc James Dungey Lecture Award at the #EWASS2018
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
7 months
Not everyday your research makes the front-page! Great work by Cameron Patterson @CardiffCam highlighted in the Daily Star. Love the headline! Our research paper with all the details should be published in @theAGU 's Space Weather journal later today @LancasterUni @LancUniPhysics
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
I’m off! Leaving sunny Lancaster and taking the #Train2EGU for the @EuroGeosciences meeting in Vienna #EGU2023 🚅
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
5 years
The amazing #NAM2019 student #NAMbassadors take the applause! Very well deserved thanks for a group of awesome students. Thank you all! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
This won't just impact my pension, it will hurt the pensions of all those who come after me and the whole Higher Education system. I think that @UniversitiesUK *seriously* mis-judged the depth of feeling in the sector #IdRatherBeTeaching
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
I'm a Prof, a Deputy Head of Dept + Director of Teaching. I work with senior management regularly + enjoy an excellent working relationship with them. But I hope the sight of even moderate, management-engaged academics taking action causes pause for thought #IdRatherBeTeaching
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
I'm a space scientist in a film. My desk's piled high with papers and I work on a blackboard. A solar superstorm threatens Earth so in 15 min I create a beautifully rendered simulation of the coming apocalypse. Somebody lends me a tie and I present to the UN wearing beige chinos.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
This week: #workingfromhome + #homeschooling + new family member from the local rescue centre. [Sound on] We're gonna need a bigger office.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 months
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
5 years
This is quite possibly the most bizarre advert for a “research” post-doc job I have ever seen. Stunned that an HR department would sign off on this! 🤦🏻‍♂️
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 months
This is definitely not a repeat of last Friday’s geomagnetic storm. Solar and interplanetary #spaceweather conditions are much quieter at the moment. Scenes like this (over Lancaster) last week are very unlikely tonight [2/2]
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
If you’re thinking “Why don’t universities just close?” then keep in mind that in some cases, a campus is home to many thousands of students and even some staff. Some don’t have anywhere else to go to right now.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
Very proud to stand with family and cheer on my breast-cancer surviving wife at today's @LancasterUni triathlon. The event raised funds St John's Hospice Lancaster and CancerCare Lancashire and South Lakeland #kickingcancersbutt #onyerbike
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
That’s a wrap! The last of @LancasterUni ’s 29 summer graduation ceremonies. I didn’t do them all, but some did! 👊
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
5 years
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 month
Extreme solar storm generated aurorae—and ‘surprise’, including a great quote from ⁦ @mathewjowens ⁩: “We spend all this time looking out for the Big One, and sometimes the Big One is seven little ones in a trench coat.” 🫡
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
Really lovely to meet lots of young people (and many parents) today at the @LancasterUni open day. The world is far from back to normal, but it was heartening to feel the excitement and optimism for exciting futures 😍
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Campus sunshine this morning @LancasterUni ☀️ #MaskUp #LoveLancaster
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
Inspired by @ProfChrisScott ’s #HamaYourResearch challenge, the Wild family (OK - mainly me) had a go at representing my research at @LancasterUni using Hama beads. Here we have a spiral #aurora , captured by my all-sky camera over Tjornes, Iceland at 21:32 UTC on 27 Sep 2009.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
I'm on a poster! I'll be speaking on Sunday afternoon at @bluedotfestival about the (often hilarious) portrayal of solar storms and space weather in the movies ☀️
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
Heading out for my Christmas break, so that’s it for my stint as the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) in @LancsUniSciTech at @LancasterUni . Time to retire the Faculty open day badge and dust off the the Departmental one!
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
Very excited to announce I’ll be on the lineup at @bluedotfestival this July with a rough guide to the #AuroraBorealis #NorthernLights 🎪📡🌍
@bluedotfestival
bluedot
1 year
Jim Wild, Professor of Space Physics at Lancaster University, will explore our planet’s intimate relationship with the Sun and reveal the science behind the wonder in a captivating discussion titled The Northern Lights: A Rough Guide.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Does anybody remember how earlier in the summer, universities were effectively banned from making unconditional offers because the government/regulator was concerned it would destabilise the admissions system? 🤔
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
“Boffins mystified” and “baffled eggheads”. Is there a recognised accreditation pathway that leads to Boffin status? Does one have to take an exam, or produce a reflective portfolio? Is “Egghead” a senior or associate-level status? 🤔 #AskingForAFriend
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
“few beyond the Russell Group go beyond online lectures to offer online seminars and tutorials, so raising questions about the justification for £9,250 tuition fees”. What planet is Will Hutton on? 😡
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
5 years
“Daddy - I want to be the first person on Mars” Fantastic inspiration via @LibbyJackson__ - thank you! (I was also thrilled it didn’t occur to her to say “first woman on Mars”. Long may it continue!)
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Very excited because... - I’m on the festival line-up poster for @bluedotfestival ! - The full science line-up includes (among others) some brilliant speakers such as @astro_timpeake , @chrislintott and @AstroKatie 😀 (also... @bjork 🤩)
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
On campus at @LancasterUni to get my COVID jab. Thank you #NHS and everyone involved 👏
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
5 years
I met Isobel Mawby in her 1st week as an undergraduate in @LancUniPhysics four years ago. Really pleased to see her being awarded a @LancasterUni Chancellor’s Medal this afternoon for her outstanding academic performance. Congratulations Isobel! #Deserved 👩🏻‍🎓👏🏻 🎉 #Graduation2019
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
Managed to give a talk to parents and guests of today’s UCAS applicant without mentioning Peppa Pig. Result. 🐷
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
The @ucu action seems to be having an impact. Let's see some meaningful talks. Let's see some leadership. Let's get this sorted now and for the future. Please. And to my students... #IdRatherBeTeaching Thanks for your support #LoveLancaster .
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
My first shift on the @LancasterUni Monitoring Extreme Space Weather exhibit at the @royalsociety #SummerScience !
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
In town for a do this evening 🥂
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
It's the start of term, which means the @LancUniPhysics Space & Planetary Physics Group meetings have resumed! Brilliant to have everyone in the "room" after the summer break. Not everyone could be in the group photo, but lovely familiar faces and five new starters 👋 ☀️🚀🌍🛰🪐
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Looking at the change in temperature in England over the last 135 years. It’s getting warmer. #ShowYourStripes
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
11 months
What a great day! @LancUniPhysics Space & Planetary Physics student Sofija Durward passed her PhD viva. Well done Sofija - your supervisors are proud of you! Thanks to Profs @PlanetAndrewC Andrew Coates and Farideh Honary for acting as examiners 👏🍾🥂
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
Lovely autumnal sunshine outside my office window @LancasterUni . More of this please.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
This week is the 99th anniversary of the May 1921 Geomagnetic Storm - the biggest solar storm of the 20th Century ☀️🌍
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 months
Brilliant to meet James from @Cleevely_Mobile who came to service our 2015 Leaf today. Lovely guy and a great service. Thanks! 👍 @cleevelyev @KateFantom
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 months
With several coronal mass ejections inbound towards Earth - and most likely they have merged to form a smaller number of large structures - most agencies are predicting a v. strong geomagnetic storm later this evening and into tomorrow. Good likelihood of #AuroraBorealis tonight!
@MetOfficeSpace
Met Office Space
2 months
With plenty of clear skies in the forecast, there is a good chance of seeing the Aurora across the northern half of the UK, and perhaps further south with long exposure photography 📷 However, as the nights are shorter, the duration of any sightings may be limited ✨
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
From the IAU archive...
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
5 years
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
Today I ran my first ultra since pre-Covid times. “The Lap” - an anti-clockwise lap of Windermere in the #LakeDistrict , 75km and 2500m of ascent - a grand day out 😬
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
Found today while sorting through old papers. Remember kids, this will be essential for every job you will ever apply for in future 👍
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Back from leave and straight into A-level results week - probably the most complicated and challenging university admissions and clearing process in years. Good luck to all the applicants and staff involved! #Clearing2020 #AlevelResults #alevels2020
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
R.I.P. Sir Clive Sinclair. My childhood would have been very different without my brother’s rubber-keyed Speccy 😍
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 months
Well that's not something you see everyday 👀 #aurora @aurorawatchuk
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
8 months
Here we go! On my way to Toulouse for the 2023 European Space Weather meeting. Next stop Paris and then the TGV south to Toulouse. 🇪🇺🇫🇷🚅🇬🇧 #spaceweather #academictravelling @flyingless #flyingless
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
5 years
🔊BREAKING NEWS🔊 The #Greggs #vegansteakbake has been spotted in the @LancasterUni branch
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
4 years
Took the opportunity for a lunchtime run around the @LancasterUni campus - looking lovely in the ☀️
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
Having fun this pm helping my 6yo daughter Scarlett test the repeatability of @maddiemoate 's slo-mo video of popcorn popping @CBeebiesHQ
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
3 years
A lovely buzz on campus at @LancasterUni today for our open day! 😀
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
It’s the last @LancasterUni Open Day of the year. Still some blue skies over campus as well as the authentic Lancastrian showers 🌦
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
Welcomed to work by the @LancasterDuck family, who were enjoying a June shower at the back of the @LancUniPhysics building
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
Fantastic news that two of my favourite @esa missions have been extended! @ESA_Cluster has been extended to September 2024 and #MarsExpress has been extended to at least 2026 (and possibly 2028) 🥳 Announcement:
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
6 years
The newly re-opened spine @LancasterUni looking good in the autumn sunshine
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
1 year
Treated myself to a nostalgic wristwatch. THe trouble is that every time I check the time a deep part of my brain tells me I’m late for double geography and I still haven’t finished my French vocab homework.
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@jim_wild
Prof Jim Wild
2 years
🚨 Paper acceptance alert 🚨 This paper by @Zoe_Maria_99 , @matthew_allcock , @maria_walach and me ( @jim_wild ) just accepted in @AGUSpWx . A lovely way to end the week 😀
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