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Physicists use telescopic trick to discover new stars

An international team of physicists, led in the UK by our Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, has discovered over 40 previously unknown stars.
Image from the James Web Space Telescope showing newly discovered stars in the distant Dragon Arc galaxy

The Physics Department Developing Talent Award winners 2024/25 have been announced!

This year's review panel have been carefully evaluating all the applications and are pleased to announce the winners of the 2024/2025 Developing Talent Awards.
stock photo of person on beach looking up at northern lights

Professor Richard Ellis CBE elected international member of US National Academy of Sciences

Professor of Astrophysics and esteemed former Durham colleague, Professor Richard Ellis CBE FRS has recently been elected as an international member of the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of his “distinguished and continuing achievements in original research”.
Space

Leading the world in interdisciplinary research

We have been ranked third in the UK for interdisciplinary science research.
Person wearing protective facemask welding, with bright blue flame visible

New £5m research centre to support North East England’s growing space industry

We’ve launched a new £5m research centre to support North East England’s growing space industry and lead on the sustainable exploration of the cosmos.
Two people silhouetted against a starry sky.

Durham researchers are among the most cited in the world

Four Durham Physics researchers have been named on a prestigious list for their world-leading research. Professors Carlos Frenk, Adrian Jenkins, Tom Theuns and the late Richard Bower from our Institute for Computational Cosmology have all been recognised in Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers list for 2024.
Image montage of physicists Carlos Frenk, Adrian Jenkins, Tom Theuns and Richard Bower

New £5m research centre to support North East England’s growing space industry

A new £5m research centre to support North East England’s growing space industry and lead on the sustainable exploration of the cosmos has been launched, led by Prof. James Osborn of Durham University's Physics Department, a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and associate professor within CfAI. The Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC) draws upon our considerable and world-renowned expertise in space technology and research.
Two people silhouetted against a starry sky.

Many physicists argue the universe is fine-tuned for life – our findings question this idea

Post Doctoral Research Associate, Dr Daniele Sorini, from our Institute for Computational Cosmology, discusses new research which suggests our Universe may not be especially tailored for intelligent life after all.
The NASA Hubble Space Telescope image captures a triple-star star system

New cosmic map supports Einstein’s prediction about gravity

Albert Einstein’s transformational prediction about how gravity behaves has been backed by an international team of researchers who studied how the force acts on cosmic scales.
The dome of a telescope on top of a hill with a starry sky behind it.

Supercomputer simulations offer new explanation for the formation of Mars’ moons

Scientists from NASA and our Department of Physics have used supercomputer simulations to reveal that Mars’ moons may have been formed from destroyed asteroid fragments.
Graphic showing asteroid fragments orbiting Mars t

New model could calculate probability of intelligent life in our Universe and beyond

A team of astrophysicists, led by our Institute for Computational Cosmology, have developed a new model that could estimate how likely it is for intelligent life to emerge in our Universe and beyond.
The NASA Hubble Space Telescope image captures a triple-star star system

Durham University to host the National Astronomy Meeting 2025

Leading scientists from the UK and around world will meet at Durham University next summer to present the latest in cutting-edge space research.
The Ogden Centre at Durham University with a projection of the solar system projected onto its outer walls.
Cosmic Ray Cosmo Simulation

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