A summer in the life of an intern

Posted on 29 August 2017 by Meirin Evans

I’m Meirin Evans, studying Physics at the University of Manchester but I look forward to coming home to Cardiff every holiday so that I can spend a little time working with the Physics and Astronomy outreach team. This summer has been an especially busy one for me, which has meant it’s been very exciting! The
Read more

SN1987A Illustration

Pythagorean Astronomy: Stars, Supernovae and Geysers

Posted on 2 August 2017 by Chris North

It’s been a busy month for Cardiff astronomers (and their colleagues). From gravity’s role in star formation to molecules found in a supernovae explosion, and from debris around neutron stars to organic molecules emitted from one of Saturn’s moons, there’s a lot to talk about. I took the opportunity to chat to Emily Drabek-Maunder, Mikako
Read more

Pythagorean Astronomy: Cassini’s Grand Finale

Posted on 31 May 2017 by Chris North

This month we don’t just look back at a few news stories, but also ahead to what’s happening over the coming months for one of the most successful space missions ever: Cassini. Having orbited Saturn for 13 years, Cassini’s fuel is running out and the mission has embarked on a “Grand Finale” before its final
Read more

Herschel on the Jodcast

Posted on 26 May 2017 by Chris North

Dr. Elisabetta Valiante from The School of Physics and Astronomy has been interviewed for the “May Extra” episode of the Jodcast – a long-running astronomy podcast produced by staff and students at Jodrell Bank. You can listen to the whole episode, or just Elisabetta’s interview. During the interview, Elisabetta explains what questions astronomers are trying to answer with the Herschel
Read more

Cardiff Physics AS Level Summer Programme 2017

Posted on 12 May 2017 by Brychan Govier

Please note that this page refers to the 2017 Summer School. Please come back later for information on the 2018 Summer School We will host a 3 day non-residential workshop for AS level students interested in continuing on to Physics degrees. Taking place in Cardiff University School of Physics and Astronomy the workshops will run 26-28
Read more

Pythagorean Astronomy: TRAPPIST-1 and other stories

Posted on 27 March 2017 by Chris North

At the end of last month, there was a lot of interest in the discovery of seven roughly Earth-sized planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system. One month on, Chris North and Edward Gomez discuss the implications of this discovery. We also get an update from the Amaury Triaud, of the University of Cambridge, about TRAPPIST and its successor, SPECULOOS.
Read more

Martin Rees: the World in 2050

Posted on 20 March 2017 by Chris North

Leading astrophysicist Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal and a senior figure in UK science, will look ahead to 2050 in a public lecture at Cardiff University on 6th April. This event is sponsored by the Learned Society of Wales and forms part of the Annual University/LSW Partnership Lecture series. It will be followed by a reception
Read more

A Physics Puzzle – Solution

Posted on 15 March 2017 by Chris North

A few weeks ago we posted the puzzle on the right – well, here’s the answer. A simple pendulum has a period given by If you insert that into the expression in the puzzle you get That simplifies to πg – which you could otherwise write as pi g! Not too complicated, providing you spot the trick! If
Read more