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School of Physics & Astronomy news

The butterfly nebula, NGC 6302, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.

JWST observations of Butterfly Nebula reveal how cosmic dust is made in space

27 August 2025

Astronomers say observations show planetary nebulae are surprisingly dynamic objects which create cool gemstones and fiery grime

Institute for Compound Semiconductors marks ten years of industrial collaboration

18 August 2025

Cardiff University is proud to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Institute for Compound Semiconductors.

A portrait of a young woman with her hair tied up, wearing gold earrings and a white t-shirt

Ernest Rutherford Fellowship for Cardiff astrophysicist

7 August 2025

Dr Isobel Romero-Shaw named among seven of UK’s brightest emerging physicists

Dr Cosimo Inserra shortlisted for the Vitae Impact, Culture and Engagement (ICE) Awards 2025

28 July 2025

Dr Cosimo Inserra shortlisted in prestigious researcher development awards

Aerial shot of LIGO detector

Gravitational waves from most massive black hole collision poses “challenge” to astrophysics

14 July 2025

Detection pushes gravitational waves observation techniques to edge of what is currently possible

Ariel Data Challenge logo 2025

Ariel Data Challenge 2025: Advanced exoplanet atmosphere detection returns with enhanced realism

1 July 2025

Global competition returns with more sophisticated simulations to help decode secrets of distant worlds

A microscopic image of typical 3D nanostructured magnetic materials.

Turning artificial materials into real-life solutions

11 June 2025

Cardiff scientists part of ground-breaking hub to advance cutting-edge 3D nanostructured metamaterials

New breakthrough in quantum dot sensors

2 June 2025

A Cardiff-led team has developed a high-performance near-infrared quantum dot sensor with record responsivity, paving the way for low-light biomedical imaging and next-gen optical communications.

Cardiff University team becomes first from Wales to win Enactus UK and Ireland Championship

28 May 2025

A student team from Cardiff University has become the first-ever team from Wales to win the Enactus UK and Ireland National Championship, earning the honour of representing the UK at the Enactus World Cup in Bangkok this September.

New Learned Society of Wales Fellows to help solve the challenges the world faces

28 May 2025

15 Cardiff University academics have joined the elite ranks of the of the Learned Society of Wales.

A man wearing glasses and a checked shirt is photographed outside a period building.

Cardiff scientist elected to lead global gravitational-wave collaboration

19 May 2025

Professor Stephen Fairhurst becomes first LIGO Scientific Collaboration Spokesperson from UK institution

Venus with stars in the background

DNA-like molecule could survive conditions akin to clouds of Venus, study finds

7 May 2025

Experiment marks new chapter on potential of sulfuric acid as a solvent for life

head shots of Yusif and Thomas, who are featured in the article

Cardiff duo win top prize for road safety innovation

1 May 2025

Physics and Astronomy students students take first place Innovative Developer Start-Up Award

An illustration of a hycean planet.

Strongest hints yet of biological activity outside the solar system

17 April 2025

Chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide and/or dimethyl disulfide observed in atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b

Boost for Bremen-Cardiff semiconductor physics alliance

1 April 2025

New research links kick-started during Bremen academics’ visit to Cardiff

An observation from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope

Telescope observations reveal universe’s hours-old baby pictures, scientists say

18 March 2025

Most precise images to date enabled team to put standard model of cosmology through rigorous tests

Origins of black holes revealed in their spin, study finds

7 January 2025

Gravitational waves data held clues for high-mass black holes’ violent beginnings

The Ariel satellite passing through space and over ones and zeros which represent data.

AI quest sheds light on how to study distant planets

13 December 2024

Cardiff researchers play a major part in successful international space data challenge

Cardiff celebrates new Physics Inclusion Award with leading UK physicists

13 November 2024

Award developed by Institute of Physics with university physicists, including School of Physics and Astronomy EDI team

Starter for ten: Cardiff University through to second round of University Challenge

30 October 2024

The team secured a comfortable win over St Andrews in TV’s toughest quiz team tournament.