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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

Asian Currencies Weaken as Dollar Rebounds Amid Middle East Uncertainty and Japan Inflation Data

Most Asian currencies declined on Tuesday as mixed signals surrounding the Middle East conflict, a recovering U.S. dollar, and softer Japanese inflation data weighed on regional markets. Investors remained cautious as...

Japan's Private Sector Growth Slows in March Amid Rising Costs and Middle East Uncertainty

Japans private sector expansion lost steam in March 2025, with both manufacturing and services activity cooling as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East drove up business costs and dampened confidence, according to the...

Australia-EU Free Trade Deal Signed After Years of Negotiations

Australia and the European Union have officially signed a landmark free trade agreement, marking the end of years of negotiations and opening a new chapter in economic relations between the two regions. The deal gained...

Suspicious Oil Market Trades Precede Trump's Iran Peace Post by 15 Minutes

Financial markets are buzzing with controversy after a report by the Financial Times revealed that roughly $580 million in oil futures were traded just 15 minutes before President Donald Trump published a post on Truth...

U.S. Futures Slide as Iran Denies Nuclear Talks with Washington

U.S. stock index futures declined Monday evening after Iran officially denied engaging in any diplomatic discussions with Washington, contradicting earlier statements from President Donald Trump that suggested progress...

Politics

U.S. and Costa Rica Reach Deportation Transfer Agreement

The United States and Costa Rica have officially signed a preliminary agreement allowing Costa Rica to receive third-country migrants deported by the U.S. government. The announcement was made by Costa Ricas presidency on...

Bolsonaro Released from ICU After Lung Infection Battle

Brazils former President Jair Bolsonaro has been moved out of intensive care following a challenging hospitalization, local media confirmed on Monday. The 71-year-old was transferred to a standard hospital room after...

Israel Eyes Litani River as New Border Amid Escalating Lebanon Offensive

Israels Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has publicly called for redrawing Israels northern boundary to reach the Litani River, deep within Lebanese territory marking one of the most direct statements yet from a senior...

Trump Visits Graceland, Pays Tribute to Elvis Presley During Memphis Trip

President Donald Trump made a memorable stop at Graceland, Elvis Presleys iconic Memphis estate, expressing his lifelong admiration for the King of Rock and Roll during a visit focused on federal efforts to reduce crime in...

Kim Jong Un Declares Nuclear Forces Permanent, Labels South Korea "Most Hostile State"

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his countrys commitment to expanding its nuclear arsenal, declaring the nations status as a nuclear-armed state irreversible. Speaking before the Supreme Peoples Assembly on...

Science

SpaceX Pivots Toward Moon City as Musk Reframes Long-Term Space Vision

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed a significant shift in the companys near-term space exploration strategy, announcing that SpaceX is now prioritizing the development of a self-growing city on the Moon rather than focusing...

SpaceX Prioritizes Moon Mission Before Mars as Starship Development Accelerates

Elon Musks SpaceX is shifting its near-term space exploration strategy, choosing to prioritize a return to the Moon before pursuing missions to Mars, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report citing sources familiar...

NASA and SpaceX Target Crew-11 Undocking From ISS Amid Medical Concern

NASA has confirmed that the agency, in coordination with SpaceX, is targeting no earlier than 5 p.m. Eastern Time (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, January 14, for the undocking of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission from the International...

Neuralink Plans High-Volume Brain Implant Production and Fully Automated Surgery by 2026

Elon Musks brain-computer interface company Neuralink is preparing for a major expansion, announcing plans to begin high-volume production of its brain implant devices and transition to a fully automated surgical procedure...

Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as the new NASA administrator, making him the 15th leader in the agencys history. The confirmation, which took place on Wednesday, marks...

Technology

Nintendo Switch 2 Production Cut as Holiday Sales Miss Targets

Nintendo has announced plans to scale back production of its Switch 2 console following disappointing holiday season sales, particularly in the United States. According to a Bloomberg report, the Japanese gaming giant will...

Elon Musk Announces Terafab: SpaceX and Tesla to Build Dual AI Chip Factories in Austin, Texas

Elon Musk revealed plans for a massive dual-chip manufacturing complex called Terafab in Austin, Texas, set to be jointly developed by SpaceX and Tesla. The announcement marks a significant step in Musks broader strategy...

NVIDIA's Feynman AI Chip May Face Redesign Amid TSMC Capacity Crunch

NVIDIA could be forced to redesign its next-generation Feynman artificial intelligence chip platform as contract manufacturing giant TSMC struggles to keep pace with surging global demand. According to a report from...

Elliott Investment Management Takes Multibillion-Dollar Stake in Synopsys

Activist hedge fund Elliott Investment Management has quietly built a multibillion-dollar position in Synopsys, the electronic design automation (EDA) giant, signaling a push for stronger financial performance from one of...

Palantir's Maven AI Earns Pentagon "Program of Record" Status, Reshaping Military AI Strategy

Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) is drawing renewed investor and industry attention after the U.S. Department of Defense officially designated its Maven Smart System as a program of record, a classification that...