Physics & Astronomy
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Saturn’s high-altitude winds generate an extraordinary aurorae
Leicester space scientists have discovered a never-before-seen mechanism fuelling huge planetary aurorae at Saturn. Saturn is unique among planets observed to date in that some of its aurorae are generated by swirling winds within its own atmosphere, and not just from the planet’s surrounding magnetosphere. At all other observed planets, including Earth, aurorae are only […]
Juno and Hubble data reveal electromagnetic ‘tug-of-war’ lights up Jupiter’s upper atmosphere
New Leicester space research has revealed, for the first time, a complex ‘tug-of-war’ lights up aurorae in Jupiter’s upper atmosphere, using a combination of data from NASA’s Juno probe and the Hubble Space Telescope. The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, describes the delicate current cycle driven by Jupiter’s rapid rotation and […]
Centenary PhD Scholarships
The University of Leicester are investing £9m in 100 PhD Scholarships for entry in autumn 2022 as part of its ambition to deliver on its strategic aim to ‘nurture the next generation of researchers to become world-leaders in their field’. Application deadline: 11th March 2022 Start date: 26th September 2022 The projects listed below are in addition […]
Exoplanets and their Origins – Professor Richard Alexander Centenary Inaugural Lecture
Join Professor Richard Alexander as he discusses how planets and planetary systems are formed, highlighting what we understand, what we don’t understand, and questions for the future.
How to Train Your Telescope – Professor Mark Wilkinson Centenary Inaugural Lecture
In this lecture, Professor Wilkinson explores how hunting for dark matter with high performance computers, and the combination of novel machine learning techniques with next generation HPC technology is driving scientific discovery.
Research Bites: Solar System Science and JWST
We are pleased to announce the third of our “Physics Research Bites”, a short “bring-your-own-lunch” seminar series aimed at students and staff wishing to know more about the exciting research being undertaken here in Leicester, jointly hosted by PhySoc, AstRoSoc and the Physics Community Team. Due to complications with COVID, our speaker Naomi Rowe-Gurney will be joining us remotely […]
Announcing 2022 Summer Internships for Leicester Undergraduates
Applications are open for the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) scheme for 3rd and 4th year Leicester undergraduates. The SURE programme provides paid opportunities for talented undergraduates to get a flavour of the cutting-edge research being undertaken within the School of Physics and Astronomy. We will host 5-6 Leicester undergraduates (3rd or 4th year students) […]
Royal Astronomical Society Fowler Award for Beatriz Sanchez-Cano
A researcher from the University of Leicester has been recognised by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) for her ‘significant contribution’ to scientists’ understanding of the Martian atmosphere. Dr Beatriz Sánchez-Cano, STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellow within the School of Physics and Astronomy, has been awarded the 2022 RAS Fowler (G) Award for her research of Mars’ […]
Celebrating the Launch of JWST
Space scientists at the University of Leicester are celebrating the launch of the most advanced space observatory ever built. After 25 years and a $10bn (£7.6 million) NASA investment, University of Leicester astronomers, space scientists and engineers who have played a key role in the planning and construction of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), […]
Physics Special Topics: Santa’s Christmas magic is Real
A group of Physics students at the University of Leicester have ‘proved’ that there is such a thing as Santa’s Christmas magic. After calculating the amount of energy Santa needs to make his annual trip around the world and how much energy he would take in from all the mince pies and cookies left out […]
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