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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

Tokyo's Inflation Surge: Energy Prices Drive December CPI Up to 2.4%

In December 2024, the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Tokyo Prefecture increased by 2.4% compared to a year earlier, rising from 2.2% in November. This change is important because it shows that prices continue to rise,...

Tokyo Inflation Gains Heat as January Rate Hike Expectations Build Around BOJ Policy Moves

Inflation in Tokyo surged in December, climbing to 2.4 percent as price pressures widened. With the Bank of Japans January policy meeting looming, markets are speculating on whether a further rate hike is on the horizon...

Samsung Brings Galaxy Ring 2 and AR Smart Glasses to Galaxy Unpacked 2025 With S25 Series

Samsung is shaking up the tech world at Galaxy Unpacked 2025, unveiling the Galaxy S25 Series, the advanced Galaxy Ring 2, and its cutting-edge AR Smart Glasses. This bold lineup promises a fresh leap into wearable...

Apple’s 2nm Chips Skip iPhone 17 as TSMC Prepares 2026 Launch for iPhone 18

Apple has decided to wait until 2026 to incorporate TSMCs 2nm chips into the iPhone 18. The move bypasses the iPhone 17, as TSMC works on scaling its production to meet industry demands and cut costs. Apple Expected to...

Alibaba Partners with E-Mart in $4 Billion Deal to Strengthen South Korean Online Retail Leadership

In a $4 billion agreement, Alibaba Group and E-Mart are merging their South Korean e-commerce platforms, forming a joint venture to take full ownership of Gmarket. The deal positions the companies to compete with top...

Politics

Trump Flirts With Idea of Wayne Gretzky for Canada PM Suggests 'He'd Win Without Even Campaigning'

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House in 2025, he has recently caused a stir by floating the idea of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky running for prime minister of Canada. This unexpected...

Elon Musk Reveals Shocking Weight-Loss Secret Calls Himself Ozempic Santa and Stuns Fans

On Christmas Day, billionaire Elon Musk shocked his followers by sharing a revealing post about his weight-loss journey. Known for his outspoken personality, Musk posted a photo of himself dressed as Santa Claus on X,...

Fox Host Apologizes to John Fetterman Calls Him My Favorite Senator After Shocking Change of Heart

Fox News host Jesse Watters has taken the unexpected step of putting Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman on his nice list, surprising viewers with an apology for his past criticism. The conservative pundit, known for his...

Most Obamacare Applicants Live in Trump-Voting States Raising Concerns for the GOP

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains a vital healthcare source for millions of Americans, with a surprising number of participants hailing from states that voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. As of...

Marianne Williamson Vows to Rebuild DNC After Losses, Says 'We Must Reinvent the Party or Fall Behind'

On December 26, 2024, Marianne Williamson, a spiritual author and former presidential candidate, declared her candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The 72-year-old author, best known for her...

Science

Public Health Experts Warn of ‘Quad-Demic’ as Flu, COVID, RSV, and Norovirus Threaten Winter Surge

Public health experts are raising alarms over a potential quad-demic this winter, with flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus all expected to surge simultaneously. This unprecedented convergence of...

Philippines' 'Missile Acquisition' Plan Provokes China's 'Arms Race' Warning

The Philippines has announced plans to acquire the U.S.-developed Typhon missile system to bolster its maritime defense capabilities. This decision has elicited strong reactions from China, which warns that such a move...

Christmas Eve Asteroid' to Skim Past Earth at 14,743 mph Tonight, NASA Warns

NASA has announced that an asteroid, comparable in size to a 10-story building, will make a close approach to Earth on Christmas Eve. The space rock, designated 2003 SD220, is expected to pass by our planet at a speed of...

Emergency Declared as Bird Flu 'Spreads' to California Dairy Cows

California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially declared a state of emergency in response to the rapidly escalating bird flu outbreak. The declaration comes after avian influenza was detected in dairy cows, a rare and...

Missing Radioactive Material in New Jersey Sparks Panic — Are Drones ‘Hunting for It’?

A small amount of radioactive material went missing in New Jersey earlier this month, raising concerns over public safety and potential security risks. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) confirmed on December 2,...

Technology

Xiaomi Expands EV Charging Access Across China With NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto Networks

Xiaomi has joined the EV charging networks of NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto, giving its customers access to over 29,000 stations across China. The move marks a strategic step in bolstering Xiaomis EV business amid growing...

Japan Airlines Faces Cyberattack Disruption with Over 60 Delayed Flights and Canceled Domestic Routes

Japan Airlines experienced significant disruptions on Thursday as a cyberattack led to over 60 flight delays, including 11 international routes, and two domestic cancellations. The airline quickly resolved the network...

Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Rumors Explode as Countdown Ending January 8 Fuels New Leaks

Nintendo Switch 2 speculation reaches new heights with a countdown set for January 8 and leaked dock images circulating online. Fans are eager but cautious as the buzz around the anticipated reveal grows. Weibo Leaker...

Sam Altman Says Superintelligence Will Ignite a 10X Boom in AI Breakthroughs Transforming the Future of Innovation

Sam Altman envisions a world where superintelligence propels AI innovation 10x faster than expected, transforming global progress and redefining humanitys future. Early Arrival of AGI Sparks Debate The most noteworthy is...

South Korea Eyes $13.9 Billion KSMC Project to Outpace TSMC and Reinvent Semiconductor Innovation

South Korea is developing KSMC with a $13.9 billion investment to challenge TSMC and foster innovation across its semiconductor ecosystem. KSMC Proposal Aims to Strengthen South Koreas Semiconductor Sector Korea...