Institute of Astronomy

News and Press Releases

Planetary bodies observed in habitable zone of dead star

Published on 14/02/2022 

A ring of planetary debris studded with moon-sized structures has been observed orbiting close to a white dwarf star, hinting at a nearby planet in the “habitable zone” where water and thus life could exist, according to a new study.

White dwarfs are glowing embers of stars that have burned through all their hydrogen fuel. Nearly all stars, including the Sun, will eventually become white dwarfs, but very little is known about their planetary systems.

Dr. Sunny Vagnozzi and Prof. Anne-Christine Davis awarded the 2021 Buchalter Cosmology Prize

Published on 08/02/2022 

This prestigious annual prize recognises boundary-pushing, ground-breaking work in cosmology with the potential to produce a breakthrough advance in our understanding of how the Universe works.

Cambridge launches new Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe

Published on 18/01/2022 

With a £10 million grant awarded by the Leverhulme Trust, the University of Cambridge is to establish a new research centre dedicated to exploring the nature and extent of life in the Universe.

 

The 2022 Royal Astronomical Society Gold Medal in Astronomy is awarded to Professor George Efstathiou.

Published on 14/01/2022 

The 2022 RAS Gold Medal in Astronomy is awarded to Professor George Efstathiou.

Astronomers find remains of ancient globular cluster

Published on 05/01/2022 

An international team of researchers (including astrophysicists from the University of Cambridge) have discovered a the remains of a unique globular cluster which appears to be a relic from the very early Universe.