QuarkNet Cymru

Posted on 13 November 2017 by Paul Roche

You can detect particles from space! QuarkNet Cymru is an outreach project directed toward GCSE and A-level physics students, and run jointly by scientists at Cardiff University and Swansea University . The project involves several hands-on laboratory activities with various types of instruments for detecting cosmic rays. The equipment is available for loan to schools
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Pythagorean Astronomy: Gravity and Light

Posted on 25 October 2017 by Chris North

On 16th October a huge team of astronomers announced to the world that they had detected, for the first time, gravitational waves and light from the same event. That event was the collision of two neutron stars in a galaxy around 130 million light year away. The signal was first detected by the LIGO and
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Pythagorean Astronomy: Cassini’s Grand Finale

Posted on 3 October 2017 by Chris North

The 15th of September marked the Cassini spacecraft’s final plunge into Saturn’s gaseous atmosphere. This grand finale marked then end of a 20 year journey, 13 of which were spent orbiting Saturn, studying the ringed planet and its extended family of moons. Here in Cardiff, Dr Emily Drabek-Maunder has been closely following Cassini, and working
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Pythagorean Astronomy: Totally Eclipsed

Posted on 31 August 2017 by Chris North

August marked one of the most publicised astronomical events of 2017 – a total eclipse of the Sun which was visible the US. Totality, where the Moon completely covered the Sun, was visible from a narrow strip stretching from Oregon in the northwest to South Carolina in the southeast, while the partial eclipse was visible
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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
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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
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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
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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
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