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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

South Korea to Increase EV Subsidies Amid U.S. Tariff Pressures

South Korea announced plans to significantly increase subsidies for electric vehicles next year, aiming to support its auto sector as it faces ongoing challenges from U.S. trade tariffs. According to a government statement...

South Korea, U.S. Finalize New Trade and Security Agreements

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced on Friday that South Korea and the United States have finalized a joint fact sheet outlining key agreements on trade and security following his summit with U.S. President...

Oil Prices Rebound as U.S. Sanctions on Russia Offset Oversupply Concerns

Oil prices rose in Asian trading on Friday, recovering from a three-week low and erasing much of their recent declines. The rebound came as traders grew more confident that strict U.S. sanctions on major Russian oil...

Trump Administration Reverses Biden-Era Restrictions on Alaska Oil and Gas Development

The Trump administration has formally reversed a key Biden-era regulation that restricted oil and gas drilling across a large portion of Alaskas National Petroleum Reserve, a move that aligns with President Donald Trumps...

Thailand’s Economy Faces Sharp Slowdown Amid Weak Consumption and Domestic Uncertainty

Thailands economic growth likely slowed significantly in the third quarter as weakening household spending and domestic uncertainty overshadowed strong export performance, according to a recent Reuters poll. Economists...

Politics

BBC Issues Apology to Trump Over Edited Documentary Amid Legal Threats

The BBC has issued a personal apology to U.S. President Donald Trump after his legal team accused the broadcaster of defamation over an edited clip used in its 2024 Panorama documentary. The programme, which aired days...

Banks Seek Dismissal of Lawsuits Alleging They Enabled Jeffrey Epstein’s Trafficking

Bank of America and Bank of New York Mellon have asked a federal judge to dismiss recently filed lawsuits accusing them of knowingly assisting Jeffrey Epsteins sex-trafficking activities by maintaining banking...

U.S. and Switzerland Move Toward Major Tariff Reduction Deal

The United States and Switzerland are nearing a trade agreement that could significantly reduce President Donald Trumps 39% tariffs on Swiss imports, according to officials from both countries. The potential deal,...

U.S. to Lift Select Tariffs on Latin American Imports to Lower Food Prices

The United States announced it will lift tariffs on specific foods and other imports from Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador as part of new framework agreements designed to expand market access for U.S....

U.S. Reviewing Brazil’s Tariff Proposal, Response Expected Soon

The United States is currently evaluating a negotiation proposal submitted by Brazil regarding recently increased tariffs, and a formal response is expected in the coming days, according to Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro...

Science

Blue Origin’s New Glenn Achieves Breakthrough Success With First NASA Mission

Blue Origins massive New Glenn rocket marked a major milestone as it completed its first mission for paying customers, sending two NASA satellites toward Mars and successfully landing its reusable booster at sea. The...

Cogent Biosciences Soars 120% on Breakthrough Phase 3 Results for Bezuclastinib in GIST Treatment

Cogent Biosciences (NASDAQ: COGT) shares skyrocketed over 120% after the biotech company announced groundbreaking results from its Phase 3 PEAK trial evaluating bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib for patients with...

Trump and Merck KGaA Partner to Slash IVF Drug Costs and Expand Fertility Coverage

U.S. President Donald Trump and German pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA have announced a groundbreaking deal aimed at lowering the cost of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments while boosting access to fertility care in...

SpaceX’s Starship Completes 11th Test Flight, Paving Way for Moon and Mars Missions

SpaceX has successfully launched its 11th Starship rocket from Starbase, Texas, marking another milestone in Elon Musks ambitious plan to create a fully reusable spacecraft for missions to the Moon and Mars. The test...

FDA Adds Fatal Risk Warning to J&J and Legend Biotech’s Carvykti Cancer Therapy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated the safety labeling for Carvykti, the multiple myeloma therapy developed by Johnson Johnson and Legend Biotech, to include a warning about a rare but potentially...

Technology

Google Proposes Ad Tech Changes to Address EU Antitrust Penalty

Google has submitted a set of proposed changes to its advertising technology operations in response to the European Commissions 2.95 billion ($3.42 billion) antitrust fine, aiming to resolve the case without being forced...

Amazon, Microsoft, and Anthropic Reportedly Support New U.S. Legislation Targeting Nvidia’s China Chip Exports

Amazon is reportedly aligning with Microsoft in supporting new U.S. legislation aimed at tightening restrictions on Nvidias ability to export advanced artificial intelligence chips to China. According to a recent Wall...

Federal Judge Allows Musk’s X Corp to Move Forward With Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple and OpenAI

Elon Musks X Corp has been granted the green light to move ahead with its antitrust lawsuit targeting Apple Inc. and OpenAI, after a federal judge in Texas rejected motions to dismiss the case. The decision, issued...

Verizon to Slash 15,000 Jobs as New CEO Launches Major Restructuring

Verizon is preparing for its largest round of layoffs in company history, with plans to cut roughly 15,000 U.S. jobs as part of a major restructuring push under new CEO Dan Schulman, according to a source familiar with the...

Baidu Introduces New AI Chips to Boost China’s Domestic Computing Power

Baidu has announced two new artificial intelligence chips designed to strengthen Chinas access to advanced, cost-efficient, and locally controlled computing power. The launch comes as ongoing U.S.China tensions continue to...