Astronomers detect gas released in a giant planetary collision

Press release 20 October 2021

Gas detected - as little as 10-20% of Venus’s atmosphere – is the first observational evidence of an atmosphere stripped away by a planetary impact Read more...

Postdoc Appreciation Week 2021

20-24 September

Postdoc Appreciation Week 2021 takes place from 20-24 September, and there is lots going on at Cambridge and across the UK to celebrate. Read more...

New class of habitable exoplanets represent a big step forward in the search for life

Press release 26 August 2021

A new class of exoplanet very different to our own, but which could support life, has been identified by astronomers, which could greatly accelerate the search for life outside our Solar System. Read more...

Unique exoplanet photobombs Cheops study of nearby star system

Press release June 2021

While exploring two exoplanets in a nearby star system, ESA’s exoplanet-hunting Cheops satellite has spotted the system’s third known planet crossing the face of the star Read more...

Cosmic dawn occurred 250 to 350 million years after Big Bang

Press release 25 June 2021

The first stars formed 250 million to 350 million years after the beginning of the Universe, according to a new study led by researchers at University of Cambridge Read more...

Astronomers spot a ‘blinking giant’ near the centre of the Galaxy

Press release 11 June 2021

Astronomers have spotted a giant ‘blinking’ star towards the centre of the Milky Way, more than 25,000 light years away. Read more...

Anti-racism resources

Equality and Diversity at the IoA

We at the Institute of Astronomy encourage everyone to educate themselves on issues of racial inequality. Anti-racism resources are available on our Equality and Diversity webpage. Read more...

Astronomy News

Upcoming Talks at the IoA

Thursday 18 November 2021

Nick Tosca (Earth Sciences, Cambridge)

The Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover and the search for life on ancient Mars

Time: 16:00-17:00 [details]

Friday 19 November 2021

Alis Deason (Durham)

Dwarf stellar haloes: a powerful probe of small scale galaxy formation and the nature of dark matter

Time: 11:30-12:30 [details]

Tuesday 23 November 2021

Mario Damasso (Torino)

Looking into stars' cradle: results and challenges from an RV follow-up of infant and young planets

Time: 13:00-14:00 [details]

Wednesday 24 November 2021

Maggie Celeste Goulden (University of Cambridge)

Title to be confirmed

Time: 13:15-13:45 [details]