Institute of Astronomy

News and Press Releases

Water common – yet scarce – in exoplanets

Published on 11/12/2019 

Water common – yet scarce – in exoplanets

 

The most extensive survey of atmospheric chemical compositions of exoplanets to date has revealed trends that challenge current theories of planet formation and has implications for the search for water in the solar system and beyond.

 

Stormy cluster weather could unleash black hole power and explain lack of cosmic cooling

Published on 16/10/2019 

Stormy cluster weather could unleash black hole power and explain lack of cosmic cooling

“Weather” in clusters of galaxies may explain a longstanding puzzle, according to a team of researchers at the University of Cambridge. The scientists used sophisticated simulations to show how powerful jets from supermassive black holes are disrupted by the motion of hot gas and galaxies, preventing gas from cooling, which could otherwise form stars. The team publish their work in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

New ‘fuzzy’ dark matter research disrupts conventional thinking

Published on 07/10/2019 

New ‘fuzzy’ dark matter research disrupts conventional thinking

IoA astronomer Dr Anastasia Fialkov has simulated dark matter in a new way for the first time, disrupting conventional thinking about the make-up of the universe. The research, published in Physical Review Letters, was done alongside institutions including Sussex, Princeton, Harvard, and MIT.

Professor Robert Kennicutt recieves Royal Astronomical Society Gold Medal

Published on 02/07/2019 

Professor Robert Kennicutt receives the Gold Medal in Astronomy for his fundamental contributions to understanding star formation in galaxies and for the accurate determination of the Hubble constant.

2019 Pilkington Prize awarded to Dr Nikku Madhusudhan

Published on 26/06/2019 

We are pleased to announce that Dr Nikku Madhusudhan is a recipient of the 2019 Pilkington Prize.