New findings that map the universe’s cosmic growth support Einstein’s theory of gravity
11 April 2023A new image reveals the most detailed map of dark matter distributed across a quarter of the entire sky, reaching deep into the cosmos.
Sir Isaac Newton’s Cambridge papers added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register
01 December 2017The Cambridge papers of Sir Isaac Newton, including early drafts and Newton’s annotated copies of Principia Mathematica – a work that changed the history of science – have been added to UNESCO’s International Memory of the World Register.
A force to be reckoned with
27 November 2017Gravity is one of the universe's great mysteries. We decided to find out why.
Think you know what gravity is? Think again. New research is revealing how little we know about this most mysterious of forces.
First detection of gravitational waves and light produced by colliding neutron stars
16 October 2017In a galaxy far away, two dead stars begin a final spiral into a massive collision. The resulting explosion unleashes a huge burst of energy, sending ripples across the very fabric of space. In the nuclear cauldron of the collision, atoms are ripped apart to form entirely new elements and scattered outward across the Universe.
Planets similar to Jupiter are likely able to form on orbits shorter than the Earth’s
15 July 2016After analyzing four years of Kepler space telescope observations, astronomers from the University of Toronto, and of the University of Cambridge have given us our clearest understanding yet of a class of exoplanets called “warm Jupiters”, showing that many have unexpected planetary companions.
Gravitational vortex provides new way to study matter close to a black hole
12 July 2016An international team of astronomers has proved the existence of a ‘gravitational vortex’ around a black hole, solving a mystery that has eluded astronomers for more than 30 years. The discovery will allow astronomers to map the behaviour of matter very close to black holes. It could also open the door to future investigation of Albert Einstein’s general relativity.
Using gravitational waves to catch runaway black holes
30 June 2016Black holes are the most powerful gravitational force in the Universe. So what could cause them to be kicked out of their host galaxies? Cambridge researchers have developed a method for detecting elusive ‘black hole kicks.’
Opinion: Inside Big Ben: why the world’s most famous clock will soon lose its bong
04 May 2016Hugh Hunt (Department of Engineering) discusses the mechanism that makes Big Ben chime, and why it needs repairing.
Understanding gravity - from Newton to Hawking
29 April 2016The most important publication in the history of science – Isaac Newton’s own annotated copy of Principia Mathematica – and other seminal works by Copernicus, Einstein and Stephen Hawking, feature in a new film, released today, celebrating 600 years of Cambridge University Library.
Opinion: The remarkable accuracy of the Trinity College clock – and what makes it tick
06 April 2016Hugh Hunt (Department of Engineering) discusses the history of the Trinity College clock and how it keeps time.
