For Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy
Everyone is taught as a child that the Sun is 150 million km away from the Earth. But how do we know that? Have a look at the Sun at sunset sometime. Is it obvious to you how far away it is? The Sun is half a degree in angular Read More …
The biennial Lancashire Science Festival was held at the University of Central Lancashire from 15–17 May 2025. Aimed at inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, the event attracted around 10,000 visitors. Young children and their families enjoyed a wide range of exhibitions and hands-on experiences. At the JHI Read More …
We invite expressions of interest to apply for the Ernest Rutherford Fellowship (ERF) to be held at JHI. These are individual fellowships with a duration of 5 years, typically awarded to researchers with a few years postdoctoral experience. For more information see the UKRI website: “Ernest Rutherford Fellowships enables early Read More …
Professor Stephen Hawking’s mentor Sir Roger Penrose is “fascinated” by Dr Alexia Lopez’s cosmology research findings. An award-winning astrophysicist from the University of Central Lancashire has attracted the interest of one of the most revered scientists in the world following her ground-breaking discovery in the distant universe. Dr Alexia Lopez Read More …
Our institute won one top award and was highly commended for a primary school outreach project at the Educate North Awards 2025 event, which took place in Manchester last night (Thursday 3 April). University/PHD Student Achievement of the Year: Alexia Lopez – Alexia was chosen for her groundbreaking discoveries, significant impact, Read More …
Alexia Lopez, postdoctoral researcher at JHI, was invited as a panelist at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Centre of Philosophy and Foundations of Science in New Delhi with Nobel prize-winner Sir Prof. Roger Penrose delivering his talk on “Conformal Cyclic Cosmology and Lopez Giant Rings”. They discussed intriguing and Read More …
On Saturday March 29th a partial eclipse of the sun coincided with the Alston Residential Weekend for Distance Learning Astronomy students. Unfortunately, it was partly cloudy. Nevertheless the students had a hazy view of the eclipse. The sun in partial eclipse (Photo credits: Charlotte Proverbs) Distance Learning Astronomy students and JHI Read More …
Last night astronomers from the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute and a visiting group from Sixth Penwortham (St Mary’s) Cubs working towards their Space Badge were treated to a rare astronomical fireworks display. While making the most of the clear skies to observe Jupiter and the Orion nebula a strange sight appeared Read More …
Abstract: Computer simulations of the universe have been in common use since the 1980s, and are now a vital tool in helping us interpret data from increasingly powerful telescopes. Amongst other things, simulations have helped establish that 95% of the universe is in invisible forms, now known as dark matter Read More …
Professor Derek Ward-Thompson, Director of the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, has co-written a popular astronomy book with Sir Brian May. The book is called: ‘Galaxies in 3D: Islands in Infinity’. The unique aspect of the book is that it presents the pictures of galaxies in stereoscopic format. Then, when viewed with Read More …