Physics and Astronomy Section

The Physics and Astronomy Section organised the following events for the 2018 British Science Festival:

Exploding stars and colliding black holes

In 2017, seventy observatories simultaneously pointed their telescopes towards the same object to witness a ground-breaking event: the first visualisation of the source of gravitational waves. Stephen Smart detailed how recent technological advancements allow us to catch neutron star and black hole collisions in the act.

A dark and invisible world

One hundred years ago Richard Feynman- a pioneering researcher of sub-atomic particles- was born. Jon Butterworth looked at what's been achieved in our understanding of this invisible world and ponders: what mysteries remain? What can particle physics reveal about the Universe?

President 2018: Professor Jon Butterworth, University College London
President 2017: Professor Michele Dougherty, Imperial College London
President 2016: Professor Philip Diamond, University of Manchester
President 2015: Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Surrey
President 2014: Professor Louise Harra, University College London

Recorder: Dr. Chris Harrison, Durham University

Latest

Clearing the Air: The Beginning and the End of Air Pollution - Q&A with Tim Smedley

Air pollution is one of the world's biggest killers, but why? And what can be done about it. Journalist Tim Smedley has all the answers in his latest book, Clearing the Air.
Changes to the British Science Association’s branches network

For over fifty years, the British Science Association has worked alongside our regional volunteer groups, known as the Branches, to reach a national audience. However, following a consultation, we will be updating the ways we work with our Branches to offer them more autonomy and to help us better serve our mission and strategy.
Community Leaders Programme: the journey so far

How do you reach seldom-engaged communities? Find out how thanks to the amazing community leaders dotted around the UK, working tirelessly to bring STEM to their local areas
3M releases new resources to help scientists become better storytellers

British Science Week Major Partners 3M has released its annual State of Science Index (SOSI) which has revealed many Brits are keen to engage more with science but believe that scientists must do more to demystify their work. Read more about their findings here.

British Science Week 2019: Our partnership with Eurotunnel

For our 25th British Science Week we were delighted to partner with Eurotunnel who, in 2019, are also celebrating 25 years since the Channel Tunnel opened! Find out more here. Read more