Almost a thousand of the world’s top space scientists will visit Durham University next week (7 to 11 July) as we host the UK’s National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) 2025.
NAM is the flagship annual event of the UK’s Royal Astronomical Society and sees scientists present the latest in cutting-edge space research.
It will connect diverse communities – from researchers and amateur astronomers to schools, artists, industry, and the public – fostering scientific collaboration and inspiring thousands of non-professional astronomers through both professional sessions and public outreach events.
Long history of astronomical research
Durham has a long history of astronomical research dating back to the appointment of Temple Chevallier as Professor of Astronomy in 1835.
Since then, our physicists, engineers and mathematicians have played an important role in furthering our understanding of the Universe. See just a few examples below.
Evolution of the Universe
Our centres for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) and Extragalactic Astronomy (CEA) helped develop and engineer the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
The most powerful space telescope ever built, the JWST is giving researchers – including our astronomers – unprecedented new images and insights into the evolution of the Universe, its stars, galaxies and black holes.
The CfAI is also involved in the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Currently under construction, the ELT will have a mirror the size of four tennis courts allowing us to see even fainter objects in space.
Dark matter and dark energy
Our Institute for Computational Cosmology (ICC) and the CEA are leading the hunt for dark matter – the mysterious substance which binds galaxies together – through our involvement in major international projects like Euclid.
The ICC is also investigating dark energy – the equally mysterious force driving the accelerating expansion of the Universe – through projects such as the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).
And we host the COSMA supercomputer. COSMA allows our cosmologists to simulate the evolution of the Universe in precise detail which is then tested by astronomers’ observations of the real thing.
Large Hadron Collider
Our Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP) researchers are heavily involved in the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
The LHC investigates the fundamental building blocks of the Universe.
IPPP scientists are researching neutrinos – sub-atomic particles that play a crucial role in the evolution of the Universe.
They’re also involved in the hunt for dark matter, providing theory support and model simulations for dark matter detection.
Sustainable space exploration
Through the Centre for Particle Theory, particle physicists also work closely with our mathematicians.
This includes studying the large-scale properties of the Universe, its origin, evolution and fate.
Our Applied Mathematics researchers are studying the processes behind our closest star – the Sun.
This includes investigating processes in the Sun’s atmosphere, solar flares and computational modelling of the Sun’s magnetic field.
And we’ve recently launched the Durham University Space Research Centre to support North East England’s growing space industry and lead on the sustainable exploration of the cosmos.