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Jonti Horner

Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland

I'm an astronomer and astrobiologist based at the University of Southern Queensland, in Toowoomba, Queensland.

I first became interested in astronomy as a five-year-old, as a result of viewing an accidentally recorded episode of the Sky at Night.

I've always been particularly interested in our Solar system, especially the small objects therein - the comets, asteroids and meteors.

In recent years, I've been expanding my research to include astrobiology and the search for, and study of, exoplanets.

Want to get into stargazing? A professional astronomer explains where to start

Dec 29, 2023 12:12 pm UTC| Life

There are few things more peaceful and relaxing than a night under the stars. Through the holidays, many people head away from the bright city lights to go camping. They revel in the dark skies, spangled with myriad...

Space Science Series

The Geminids: the year's best meteor shower is upon us. And this one will be a true spectacle

Dec 11, 2023 06:52 am UTC| Science

As an astronomer and meteor enthusiast, Id say its the most wonderful time of the year. Each December sees the return of the Geminid meteor shower the best natural fireworks display of the year - and people the world...

Will Saturn's rings really 'disappear' by 2025? An astronomer explains

Nov 13, 2023 12:31 pm UTC| Science

If you can get your hands on a telescope, there are few sights more spectacular than the magnificent ringed planet Saturn. Currently, Saturn is clearly visible in the evening sky, at its highest just after sunset. Its...

‘Like blood, then turned into darkness’: how medieval manuscripts link lunar eclipses, volcanoes and climate change

Apr 06, 2023 07:14 am UTC| Science

Before humans started heating the planet by burning fossil fuels in the 19th century, Earth had experienced centuries-long widespread cool period known as the Little Ice Age. Scientists believe this cold spell may have...

Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year. Or will it?

Mar 13, 2023 11:41 am UTC| Science

Hot on the heels of the disappointing Green Comet, astronomers have just discovered a new comet with the potential to be next years big story C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). Although it is still more than 18 months from...

How big is the Moon? Let me compare ...

Jul 18, 2019 23:53 pm UTC| Insights & Views Science

Even though we can see the Moon shining brightly in the night sky and sometimes in daylight its hard to put into perspective just how large, and just how distant, our nearest neighbour actually is. So just how big is...

A Goblin could guide us to a mystery planet thought to exist in the Solar system

Oct 20, 2018 15:25 pm UTC| Insights & Views Science

Out in the depths of the Solar system, astronomers recently discovered a small, icy object, named 2015 TG387. First observed in October 2015, it has been nicknamed The Goblin by its discoverers. It is currently almost...

Economy

Trump's Bold Moves: A New Era in U.S. Foreign Policy

Trumps Bold Moves: A New Era in U.S. Foreign Policy Overview of Trumps Speech and Iran Policy On February 4, 2025, President Donald Trump delivered an important speech after signing some executive orders in the Oval...

China’s Markets Reopen Amid U.S. Trade Tensions and AI Boom

SHANGHAI/HONG KONG (Reuters) Chinas stock markets reopen after the Lunar New Year break, facing renewed trade tensions with the U.S. and major developments in artificial intelligence. Investors are closely monitoring...

Stocks Rally as Earnings Offset US-China Trade War Fears

The SP 500 closed higher Tuesday as investors balanced strong earnings with rising US-China trade tensions. The Dow gained 142 points (0.3%), the SP 500 climbed 0.72%, and the Nasdaq surged 262 points (1.4%). President...

China Hits Back with New Tariffs on U.S. Goods After Trump’s 10% Levy

Chinas finance ministry announced fresh tariffs on U.S. products on Tuesday, responding swiftly to a 10% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump on Chinese imports. The U.S. tariff, which took effect at 0501 GMT, marks...

Trade Truce: Trump Pauses Tariffs as North America Strengthens Borders

+9 Tariff Suspension and Trade Agreements President Donald Trump announced a 30-day tariff halt on imports from Mexico and Canada after successful negotiations. The Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, agreed to...

Politics

Pam Bondi Confirmed as U.S. Attorney General in GOP-Led Senate Vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as attorney general in a 54-46 vote, solidifying President Donald Trumps influence over the Justice Department. Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and longtime Trump ally, secured...

JD Vance to Attend AI Summit in Paris Amid U.S.-China Tech Competition

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is set to attend the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action (WA:ACT) Summit in Paris next week, according to a French diplomatic source. The visit comes as global competition in AI intensifies,...

Elon Musk’s Team Gains Access to U.S. Treasury Payment System, Sparking Protests

The U.S. Treasury confirmed that Elon Musks government-efficiency team has been granted read-only access to its payment system codes but denied any disruption to government payments, including Social Security and Medicare....

Hamas Open to Talks with Trump Administration Amid Gaza Tensions

The Palestinian Hamas movement has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a senior Hamas official cited by Russias RIA news agency. Mousa Abu...

Trump Proposes U.S. Takeover of Gaza, Sparking Global Backlash

President Donald Trump announced a controversial plan to take over the war-torn Gaza Strip, promising economic development after Palestinians are permanently resettled elsewhere. Speaking at a joint press conference with...

Science

South African telescope discovers a giant galaxy that’s 32 times bigger than Earth’s

Inkathazos glowing plasma jets are shown in red and yellow. The starlight from other surrounding galaxies can be seen in the background. K.K.L Charlton (UCT), MeerKAT, HSC, CARTA, IDIA, CC BY You may not know it, but right...

It’s science, not fiction: high-tech drones may soon be fighting bushfires in Australia

Picture this. Its a summer evening in Australia. A dry lightning storm is about to sweep across remote, tinder-dry bushland. The next day is forecast to be hot and windy. A lightning strike tonight could spark a fire that...

Earth is bombarded with rocks from space – but who gets to keep these ultimate antiques?

Every day, about 48.5 tonnes of space rock hurtle towards Earth. Meteorites that fall into the ocean are never recovered. But the ones that crash on land can spark debates about legal ownership. Globally, meteorite hunting...

Most of us trust scientists, shows a survey of nearly 72,000 people worldwide

Public trust in scientists is vital. It can help us with personal decisions on matters like health and provide evidence-based policymaking to assist governments with crises such as the COVID pandemic or climate change. In...

Astronauts on NASA’s Artemis mission to the Moon will need better boots − here’s why

The U.S.s return to the Moon with NASAs Artemis program will not be a mere stroll in the park. Instead it will be a perilous journey to a lunar location representing one of the most extreme environments in the solar...

Technology

Honda-Nissan Merger Talks May Be Canceled, Boosting Stock Prices

Honda Motor Co. (TYO:7267) and Nissan Motor Co. (TYO:7201) shares surged on Wednesday after reports suggested they may abandon merger plans. Hondas stock rose 2.9%, while Nissan gained 4.3%. Toyota Motor Corp. (TYO:7203)...

Hong Kong Tech Stocks Rally on AI Optimism Despite U.S. Tariffs

Hong Kong-listed Chinese technology stocks surged as optimism over artificial intelligence (AI) advancements from companies like DeepSeek and Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) overshadowed concerns about new U.S. tariffs. DeepSeeks...

Trump Highlights Strong Interest in TikTok Amid Uncertain Future

Trump Highlights Strong Interest in TikTok Amid Uncertain Future Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that there is significant interest in TikTok as his administration works to facilitate the sale of the...

Apple Criticizes EU Porn App, Citing Consumer Trust Concerns

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has voiced strong opposition to a pornography app available on iPhones in the European Union, blaming the blocs Digital Markets Act (DMA) for eroding consumer confidence. The app, Hot Tub, is...

Xiaomi Stock Rises as Morgan Stanley Raises Price Target on EV and AIoT Growth

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has boosted its price target for Xiaomi (OTC:XIACF) Corp (HK:1810) to HK$45 from HK$35, maintaining an Overweight rating, citing strong growth in electric vehicles (EVs) and AIoT. Analysts...