Search results (19)
« Back to NewsAstronomers discover the most distant galaxies yet
5 April 2023
The NASA James Webb Space Telescope discovers of four of the most distant galaxies found to date – confirmed using key instruments developed by the instrument science team with Oxford physicists.
New study shows AI could help locate life on Mars
20 March 2023
AI and data science Research Space
A new study involving Department of Computer Science researchers has found that artificial intelligence could accelerate the search for extraterrestrial life by showing the most promising places to look.
Major collaboration reveals new insights on binary star systems
2 March 2023
Researchers from the University of Oxford have contributed to a major international study which has captured a rare and fascinating space phenomenon.
Oxford students successfully send an experiment into space
20 December 2022
In November 2021, a team of graduate students from Oxford teamed up with the International Space School Educational Trust (ISSET) to turn the ideas of secondary school children into real experiments for launch to the International Space Station.
James Webb Space Telescope latest: new milestone in search for distant galaxies
9 December 2022
New findings confirm that Webb has surpassed the Hubble telescope in its ability to observe the early Universe as an international team of astronomers, including scientists from Oxford, has today reported the discovery of the earliest galaxies ever confirmed in our Universe.
New data from James Webb Space Telescope reveals an exoplanet atmosphere as never seen before
23 November 2022
University of Oxford academics have contributed to the most comprehensive molecular and chemical analysis of an exoplanet’s atmosphere, enabled by new data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
Two major meteorite impacts reveal new insights about the surface of Mars
28 October 2022
Following two large meteorite impacts on Mars, near-surface seismic waves have been recorded for the first time on a planet other than Earth. The data, analysed by an international team involving University of Oxford researchers, has revealed valuable new information about the structure of the Martian crust.
First definitive detection of carbon dioxide in an exoplanet atmosphere
26 August 2022
Oxford Physics is part of the international team analysing data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which has captured the first definitive detection of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of a planet beyond our solar system.
Research winners and commendation announced for MPLS Impact Awards 2022
11 July 2022
AI and data science Award Biomedical engineering COVID-19 Computer science Engineering Innovation and Enterprise Physical sciences underpinning health Physics Public Engagement Quantum Research Space Spin out
Eleven MPLS researchers have been recognised in this year’s MPLS Impact Awards, which showcase research impact across the division and help us to identify examples of impact excellence that will help us to prepare the ground for future Research Excellence Framework (REF) submissions and similar exercises.
Department of Physics looks back on 10 years since the discovery of the Higgs Boson
4 July 2022
Ten years ago, on 4 July 2012, an international collaboration of particle physicists announced to the world that they had independently observed a new particle – the Higgs boson. Oxford physicists were key contributors to the discovery and have continued to play a leading role in Higgs-boson research ever since.
Strange neutron star discovered in stellar graveyard
30 May 2022
An international team of scientists, including Professor Rob Fender, Dr Ian Heywood and Dr Jakob van den Eijnden from the University of Oxford, have discovered a strange radio emitting neutron star, which rotates extremely slowly, completing one rotation every 76 seconds.
Government gives £15 million to build software and computer systems at the heart of a new international telescope system
12 April 2022
Computer science Engineering Funding Physics Space
Six institutions, including the University of Oxford, are leading efforts to deliver computational systems that will enable the world’s largest radio telescope
Seismometer technology field-tested in Antarctica before space missions
10 February 2022
Earth sciences Physics Research Space
Scientists from the University of Oxford are field-testing seismic sensors in the bitter conditions of Antarctica to simulate the solar system’s icy moons.
Life on Mars search could be misled by false fossils
19 November 2021
Mars explorers searching for signs of ancient life could be fooled by fossil-like specimens created by chemical processes, research suggests.
Apollo 17 mission helps Oxford research the shape of the Moons magnetic field
28 September 2021
Rock samples collected during the final manned mission to the Moon have turned out to be critical for a study nearly 50 years later.
Artificial Intelligence pioneered at Oxford to detect floods launches into space
1 July 2021
AI and data science Computer science Engineering Research Space
A new technology, developed by Oxford researchers, in partnership with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Φ-lab, will pilot the detection of flood events from space. It was deployed on hardware on D-Orbit’s upcoming ‘Wild Ride’ mission being launched by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral, 30 June, 20.00 UK time.
Global Jet Watch: discovery of jets in classical novae
11 June 2021
Scientists at the University of Oxford have discovered that classical nova explosions are accompanied by the ejection of jets of oppositely-directed hot gas and plasma, and that this persists for years following the nova eruption. Previously, such jets had only been encountered emanating from very different systems such as black holes or newly collapsing stars.
Green light for European Space Agency mission to Venus
10 June 2021
Oxford University scientists will play a leading role in a new mission to study the geology and atmosphere of Venus, our neighbouring planet, helping determine whether it was once habitable – and why Earth became the only known planet that can sustain life.
UK–Canada collaboration uses geology to help astronomers find habitable planets
14 May 2021
Earth sciences Physics Research Space
To date, astronomers have identified more than 4,000 confirmed exoplanets but only a fraction have the potential to sustain life. Now, new research is using the geology of early planet formation to help identify those that may be capable of supporting life.