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QuASAR, the Quantum Atom-Experiment for Sensing and fundamental Research, launched in conjunction with Boulby Underground Laboratory

Durham University physicists and the Boulby Underground Laboratory have initiated a collaborative effort to assess the feasibility of deploying the "QuASAR" experiment. This partnership marks a novel venture, as researchers from both institutions work together to investigate the practicalities of operating a cold-atom quantum sensor 1.1 kilometres underground.
Durham University team visiting Boulby Underground Laboratory

IPPP hosts Local Students for the International Masterclass on Particle Physics 2025

On the 28th of March, the IPPP hosted its second post-pandemic edition of the International Masterclass in Particle Physics, an immersive day of discovery where over 110 students from six local high schools became physicists for a day.
IPPP Masterclass 2025 Group photo

Professor Andrew Pontzen appointed to STFC Council

Cosmologist Professor Andrew Pontzen has been appointed to the council of one of the UK’s main research funding bodies.
A man wearing glasses and blue woolen zip up jumper smiling at the camera

Final findings from Kilo-Degree survey confirm cosmology model

A major international research effort has confirmed the standard model of cosmology using data from 41 million galaxies.
The Kilo-Degree Survey has taken images of 41 million galaxies in its eight years of observation. This image shows a section of the data set.

The Icy Durham Practical Course (CDT in Fusion Power).

Shortly after the New Year's festivities had finished, twenty-five PhD students braved the ice and snow to come to Durham University to make some critical current measurements on HTS superconductors for ~ 3 days in January 2025.
The students and staff at the CDT Fusion Power practical course in Durham.

Scientists help create biggest 3D map of the universe and it’s changing what we know about Dark Energy

Our scientists have played a leading role in creating the largest-ever 3D map of the universe, using data from 15 million galaxies and quasars.
DESI maps distant objects to study dark energy. The instrument is installed on the Mayall Telescope, shown here beneath star trails.

Durham astrophysicists’ key contributions to cosmic discoveries

Scientists from our Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy and our Institute for Computational Cosmology are playing a crucial role as part of a major international space mission to map the Universe.
This image shows examples of galaxies in different shapes, all captured by Euclid during its first observations of the Deep Field areas

Spotlight on: Professor Carlos Frenk – shaping modern cosmology

Welcome to the next instalment of our ‘Spotlight on’ series where we celebrate the world-leading work of our academics. Professor Carlos Frenk’s pioneering work on dark matter has fundamentally shaped modern cosmology and our understanding of the Universe.
Professor Carlos Frenk smiling into the camera with a the a radio microphone in the foreground and the edge of some blue branding behind him

Spacecraft regularly burn up in the atmosphere - is this causing harm?

Physics fellow Dr Fionagh Thomson will explore the potential risks of decommissioning satellites in the atmosphere in a project funded by the UK Space Agency. 
Polar stratospheric clouds above buildings

Euclid space telescope discovers stunning Einstein Ring 

An international space mission currently mapping the dark Universe has discovered a rare ‘Einstein Ring’ in a galaxy not far away.
Euclid’s fuzzy view of galaxy NGC 6505 with an Einstein Ring around its centre, embedded in its cosmic neighbourhood. This wide field shows the extended stellar halo of NGC 6505 and showcases the Einstein Ring, surrounded by colourful foreground stars and background galaxies.

Durham’s strengths in space and quantum research focus of German Ambassador’s visit

Our strengths in space and quantum research were the main focus of a visit to Durham University by the German Ambassador to the UK.
Two men look through a panel into the interior of a large box which contains machinery and wires.

Durham researchers help discover largest radio jet ever seen in early Universe

A team of astronomers, including researchers from our top-rated Physics department, have discovered the largest radio jet ever seen in the early Universe.
Artist’s illustration showing the largest radio jet ever found in the early Universe
Cosmic Ray Cosmo Simulation

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