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Darren Baskill

Lecturer, Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex
Darren Baskill is a lecturer and outreach officer in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Sussex, with over 25 years’ experience of professional and amateur astronomy, and in organising and delivering science events for schools, colleges, and the public.

His specialism is in communicating astronomy to the public, giving talks and working with the media on all aspects of astronomy and astrophotography, having appeared on BBC TV, radio and news online on many occasions, as well as frequently writing for the BBC Focus magazine.

He previously taught astronomy at the Royal Observatory Greenwich science centre and planetarium in London, where he initiated the highly successful Astronomy Photographer of the Year public competition and exhibition, and he was a calibration scientist for the European XMM-Newton space telescope at the University of Leicester before that, ensuring that the data delivered to astronomers around the world was of the highest quality.

Darren has a degree in Astrophysics and a PhD in X-ray Astronomy (looking at the physics of cataclysmic variable star systems) both from the University of Leicester. He is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, a member of the Institute of Physics (serving on the committee of the IOP South Central Branch) and is a director of Ensonglopedia, a musical theatre company based in Lewes, East Sussex.

Why do the aurora look better through a camera?

May 15, 2024 07:51 am UTC| Nature

On 10 and 11 May 2024, large parts of the world were treated to their most spectacular display of the aurora the northern and southern lights in a generation. Thanks to modern cameras, the phenomenon was all over social...

Economy

IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production

Chinas planned implementation of stricter rare earth export controls could place up to $6.5 trillion in downstream production outside the country at risk, according to the International Energy Agencys (IEA) latest Global...

U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation

The United States announced on Wednesday that it will impose a 25% tariff on certain imports from Brazil after concluding a year-long Section 301 trade investigation that found several Brazilian policies unfairly...

Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar

Gold prices declined early Thursday as rising oil prices reignited concerns that inflation could remain persistent, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for longer. The...

Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings

Asian stock markets declined sharply on Thursday, led by heavy losses in South Korea, as a broad semiconductor selloff and renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment. Market participants...

Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar

Asian currencies traded in tight ranges on Thursday as a weaker U.S. dollar was balanced by growing investor caution over the escalating Middle East conflict, limiting demand for risk-sensitive regional assets. Market...

Politics

Iran Warns Trump Against Striking Infrastructure, Declares Strait of Hormuz a ‘Red Line’

Iran warned on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz remains an inviolable red line, vowing to retaliate against infrastructure across the Gulf region if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on threats to attack...

DOJ Refuses to Release Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein Files to New Mexico Investigation

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Wednesday it cannot legally release unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files requested by New Mexico officials, deepening a dispute over the states renewed investigation into the late...

US Restricts Commercial Flights From Congo Amid Ebola Outbreak

The United States has introduced new travel restrictions tied to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), preventing U.S. citizens and nationals who have been in the country within the previous...

NY Times Challenges Trump Administration Subpoenas Over Air Force One Report

The New York Times has asked a federal court to block grand jury subpoenas issued to three of its journalists following their reporting on President Donald Trumps new Qatari-donated Air Force One, escalating a legal battle...

Trump Orders ICE to Resume Traffic Stops After Deadly Immigration Enforcement Incidents

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to resume using traffic stops during immigration enforcement operations, reversing a temporary suspension announced just a day...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

Apple Intelligence China Approval Lifts Alibaba and Baidu Shares

Alibaba and Baidu shares rallied on Thursday after Apple secured regulatory approval to introduce its Apple Intelligence platform in China, a major step toward expanding its artificial intelligence services in one of the...

Nvidia Partners With Fanuc and Yaskawa to Accelerate AI Robotics in Japan

Nvidia is strengthening its presence in Japan through new partnerships with leading industrial automation companies, including Fanuc and Yaskawa Electric, as the chip giant pushes to accelerate the adoption of artificial...

Hyundai Takes Full Control of Boston Dynamics to Accelerate Humanoid Robot and AI Strategy

Hyundai Motor has announced plans to acquire SoftBank Groups remaining stake in Boston Dynamics, giving the South Korean automaker full ownership of the robotics company as it expands its artificial intelligence and...

Jamie Dimon Warns Anthropic's Mythos AI Poses National Security Risks

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has warned that Anthropics advanced Mythos artificial intelligence model presents significant national security risks, highlighting growing concerns over the potential misuse of powerful AI...

SpaceX Stock Falls Below IPO Price as Investors Weigh Losses and Lockup Expiry

SpaceX shares fell below their initial public offering (IPO) price for the first time on Wednesday, highlighting growing investor caution as the companys early post-listing momentum continues to fade. The stock dropped...