Dr. Sarah Biddle Leslie (she/they)

Wowowow! That was quick! These look incredible!

It's finally here! We've just released all of our COSMOS-Web images and catalogs, along with an interactive viewer where you can explore the data! Check it out at: cosmos2025.iap.fr

You can find a list of Christian's publications here: orcid.org/0000-0002-88...

Congratulations, Dr. Groeneveld!

Digital artwork depicting the Perseus galaxy cluster as a swirling, abstract formation. A bright white core is surrounded by turbulent, filament-like structures in shades of green, blue, and soft white, suggesting the presence of radio halos. The outer edges blend into a glowing green aura, evoking the sense of motion and energy from cosmic turbulence. The image symbolizes the invisible structures seen in low-frequency radio observations of galaxy clusters.

Christian’s research focused on the Perseus galaxy cluster. They confirmed two giant structures: a radio "mini-halo" around the central galaxy, and a much larger "giant radio halo" over a million ly! These halos likely come from turbulence caused by past cosmic mergers, which re-energize particles.

Back cover of a PhD thesis featuring a background of real LOFAR decameter-wavelength radio data in dark green tones, overlaid with four bright blue-white objects representing active galactic nuclei (AGN). These AGN appear as luminous, irregularly shaped sources with glowing cores and faint jets, distributed across the frame. The background is textured with starburst-like calibration artifacts centered on numerous faint point sources.

Studying space at such low frequencies is incredibly challenging because the Earth's ionosphere distorts the incoming radio waves. Christian helped develop a new calibration technique that enables higher sensitivity and resolution imaging at these wavelengths.

Cover of a PhD thesis titled "Galaxy Clusters in the Decameter Sky" by Christian Groeneveld. The background features real decameter-wavelength radio data in glowing green tones, filled with faint point-like sources. At the center is an abstract, swirling digital illustration representing the Perseus galaxy cluster, with luminous filaments and a bright central core, evoking the turbulent energy of radio halos.

Today, my colleague Christian at Leiden University successfully defended his PhD thesis, "Galaxy Clusters in the Decameter Sky"! In it, he mapped the sky at a relatively unexplored range of radio frequencies—10–30 MHz—using the LOFAR telescope. I had the honour of designing Christian’s thesis cover!

These are great! I would put prints of a set up in my office.

This is so great 😍😍

My dms aren't working so I sent an email

(my dms aren't working so I sent an email)

Hi Bunny! What a fabulous idea - it would be an honour to collaborate. I'll DM you.

Aww thanks for the sweet words! I'm so happy you like my art. Yes, please repost with credit :-) 🙏

I was asked to give my social media accounts when applying for my work visa last fall.

I hope so too Susan. I think too often scientists try to remain applitical and (are told to) "stick to the science". I try to remember that science is (and has always been) political and we scientists are also (first and foremost) humans.

painting of the pillars of creation in visible light. The 3 pillars are dark brown and block the light.

The pillars of creation were first made famous when imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 (and again in 2014) in visible light - which I have previously painted. The near-infrared view from JWST helps us peer through more of the dust - revealing many more stars that are forming within.

painting of the pillars of creation in visible light. The 3 pillars are dark brown and block the light.

The pillars of creation were first made famous when imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 (and again in 2014) in visible light - which I have previously painted. The near-infrared view from JWST helps us peer through more of the dust - revealing many more stars that are forming within.

painting of the "pillars of creation". The three pillars are brown, but also have red and yellow colours

My mini painting of the Pillars of Creation was inspired by the JWST NIRCam image. This region of active star formation lies ~6,500 lyr away. Glowing red lines near the edges of some pillars reveal where stars are ejecting material as they form. 🔭🧪 🎨

painting of the "pillars of creation". The three pillars are brown, but also have red and yellow colours

My mini painting of the Pillars of Creation was inspired by the JWST NIRCam image. This region of active star formation lies ~6,500 lyr away. Glowing red lines near the edges of some pillars reveal where stars are ejecting material as they form. 🔭🧪 🎨

Hi bluesky 👋🏻

We're a brand new 501(c)3 non-profit that works at the intersection of neurodiversity 🧠 and space science 🚀

If you're neurodivergent and in space aligned fields/interests, then we are here to help you!! FOLLOW US here so you're the first to know when we roll out our programs!

Dear all! Come celebrate A4E's 5th Anniversary!
Thursday, January 23, 2025, UTC 0800-1100 & UTC 1800-2100; Zoom + Spatial VR.
Will you discuss with us where A4E can be in another 5 years?

All info and registration at astronomersforplanet.earth/5th-annivers...

YouTube video by Audio Universe Galaxy Formation - A Sonification

...and here's the sonified video of a prototype COLIBRE test simulation - conveying star formation and cosmic thermodynamics with sound! More info in the YT description... 🧪🔭⚡ ⚛️🎵🐡 #extragalactic #musicianfeed #philsci #art #stellarastro #cosmology #EduSky
youtu.be/4BPFHTVMmbQ?...

The sound of silence: how sound brings space to life The vacuum of space is famously silent, but what if you were able to use sound to help you visualise the Universe? What would a black hole…

Check out this article from STFC about our sonification of astronomical data, and beyond! including a new sonification at the end - perceive multi-scale information about galaxy formation in our cosmological simulations... 🧪🔭⚡🐡. medium.com/big-science-...

Climate Science and Big Oil Need to Go Their Separate Ways | Opinion The American Geophysical Union has a long history of taking fossil fuel money, and has not pledged to stop.

Nice opinion piece by @climatehuman.bsky.social bit.ly/3VzOTQO

I'm a #QueerinSTEM astronomer.
Having queer communities and safe spaces, especially in the workplace, is so important!

Which reminds me of the asto outlis, which can help you find queer astronomers and allies near you astro-outlist.github.io

Nice to "see" you again Namrata 😊

I'm excited to take part in Dragonfly Mental Health's Global Migration on October 10th, celebrating World Mental Health Day and raising awareness about #MentalHealth in #academia. I'll be delivering a Basics of Burnout Seminar at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian in Cambridge, USA

Photo of painting of the full moon. Square black canvas.

For Day 2 of #SpacetoberChallenge #Spacetober prompt Moon, I'm posting an acrylic painting I did a few years ago for my friend @aurorakess.bsky.social

#SapcetoberChallenge_04 #SciArt

The cotton wool gives the piece a soft look, similar to the nebula's cloud-like appearance, while the hot glue creates and highlights sharp details, enhancing the nebula's "witch-like" profile.
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The blue color of the nebula is due to interstellar dust reflecting Rigel's light, which is more efficiently scattered by blue wavelengths. I used hot glue and cotton wool to create a 3D effect - adding texture and depth to the artwork.
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Its nickname comes from its uncanny resemblance to the profile of a caricature witch's head, complete with a hooked nose and pointed chin. This eerie-looking nebula is illuminated by the bright blue star Rigel, located in the nearby constellation Orion.
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