Institute of Astronomy

News and Press Releases

Special Public Evening -- celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1919 eclipse

Published on 13/05/2019 

Special public evening -- Wednesday 29th May 2019 at 6:30pm

The Institute of Astronomy is hosting a special public event to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1919 eclipse expeditions. Observations taken during a total solar eclipse provided the first proof that light could be influenced by gravity, and verified the prediction made by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. The results established the fundamental importance of Relativity in our understanding of physics and Astronomy.

Variations in the ‘fogginess’ of the universe identify a milestone in cosmic history

Published on 15/04/2019 

Large differences in the ‘fogginess’ of the early universe were caused by islands of cold gas left behind when the universe heated up after the big bang, according to an international team of astronomers.

Professor Christopher Reynolds wins ERC Advanced Grant

Published on 02/04/2019 

For his work on feedback from supermassive black holes, Professor Christopher Reynolds (Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at the Institute of Astronomy) has won an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council (ERC).

ERC grants are awarded through open competition to projects headed by starting and established researchers, irrespective of their origins, who are working or moving to work in Europe. The sole criterion for selection is scientific excellence.

Dr Nikku Madhusudhan wins 2019 MERAC Prize of the European Astronomical Society.

Published on 18/03/2019 

The 2019 MERAC Prize of the European Astronomical Society (EAS) for the Best Early Career Researcher in Theoretical Astrophysics is award

Moonwatch at IoA -- 16th March

Published on 16/03/2019 

Please note that tonight's "Moonwatch" event (part of the Cambridge Science Festival) is weather dependent! If the clouds do not allow observing to take place, the event will be cancelled.

You can phone us on +44 (0)1223 337548 after 5pm, or check our Twitter page (https://twitter.com/cambridge_astro) to find out whether the event will be taking place.