iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A last minute mention: Professor Suzie Imber will be talking about "The Physics of Space Exploration" on Channel Talent at 11:15 today (17 Sep). Designed for students and teachers, these are free to join. Follow the link below www.channeltalent.co.uk/event/physic...

channeltalent.co.uk

The Physics of Space Exploration with Professor Suzie Imber from University of Leicester - Channel Talent - Interactive school webinars

Physics: The Physics of Space Exploration with Professor Suzie Imber from University of Leicester

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The UK in Space Festival is next Sunday (20th Sep) at the National Space Centre in Leicester Discover and celebrate the UK's vibrant space industry with hands-on activities, expert talks, and stunning shows in the UK’s largest planetarium. 🎢🔭 Get your tickets: www.spacecentre.co.uk/whats-on/uk-...

Decorative (Credit: National Space Centre)

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Two of our students are on the University of Leicester team on University Challenge this evening. Sam Carlier is studying for an MPhil in Astrophysics and Patrick Laughrey for an MPhys in Physics. We'll be cheering them and their teammates along! le.ac.uk/news/2026/au...

le.ac.uk

Leicester returns to University Challenge as line-up and first opponents revealed | News | University of Leicester

The University of Leicester is once again represented in the BBC’s iconic quiz team tournament

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Want to study Physics in a supportive environment with world-leaders in Climate Science and Astrophysics? We're open for Clearing. Physics BSC and MSc, with options for Astrophysics, Climate Science, Data Science or Space Science. Details here: le.ac.uk/clearing?pag... 🔭🎢

le.ac.uk

Clearing 2026 | University of Leicester

Clearing 2026 at the University of Leicester. Explore available courses, get expert Clearing advice and secure your place at a top 25 UK university.

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Reposted by University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy

Beatriz Sánchez-Cano @bscredrojo.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

What a pleasure to chat with Sue Bowler for the @royalastrosoc.bsky.social about my career so far, the people and missions that have inspired me, and the excitement of exploring our Solar System. 🌍➡️🔴 academic.oup.com/astrogeo/art...

academic.oup.com

Q&A Beatriz Sánchez-Cano, Leading interplanetary scientist

The leading interplanetary scientist discusses the importance of joined-up solar-system science – and what Halley's Comet means to her

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

We're celebrating 25 years of the National Space Centre in Leicester (@spacecentre.bsky.social). Six million visitors, including around two million from school groups, have been come through its doors and been inspired by the stories it tells! Prof Barstow writes here about how it came to exist.

citizen.le.ac.uk

25 years of the National Space Centre

Professor Martin Barstow, Professor of Astrophysics and Space Science, recalls how Leicester became home to a world-class, space-based visitor attraction. The National Space Centre in Leicester celebr...

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

🔭🎢 🌌 A reminder that TODAY at 16:30 BST our Dr Paul McMillan @mcmillan-astro.bsky.social, is giving a webinar about incredible recent discoveries about the Milky Way. Sign up below: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ten-things...

Milky Way with an orbit shown. Credit: P. McMillan, adapted from NASA/JPL/R. Hurt image

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

🔭🎢 Book your place below for the latest in our Earth & Space webinars, by our Dr Paul McMillan (@mcmillan-astro.bsky.social), talking about our incredible recent discoveries about the Milky Way When: Monday 22nd June at 16:30 BST www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ten-things... 🔭🎢

eventbrite.co.uk

Ten things you might not know about the Milky Way

Learn new and fascinating facts about our galaxy in this online lecture!

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Huge congratulations to the SMILE team, including the team in Leicester who built its ultra-lightweight X-ray optics! SMILE measures how Earth’s magnetic field responds to the solar wind, helping to reduce the worst effects of solar storms before they strike 🔭🎢 le.ac.uk/news/2026/ma...

le.ac.uk

UK plays leading role as landmark mission launches to unlock secrets of Earth’s magnetic shield | News | University of Leicester

SMILE launches to provide first complete picture of how Earth’s magnetic field responds to the solar wind, improving predictions of solar storms that disrupt GPS, communications and power grids.

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Worms in Space!! A whole new crew for the International Space Station as a worm laboratory, built at the University of Leicester, has been launched. 🔭🎢 🪱 le.ac.uk/news/2026/ap... 🔭🎢

le.ac.uk

Space Worms! UK scientists launch microscopic crew into orbit to support future Moon missions | News | University of Leicester

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Leigh Fletcher @leighfletcher.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Three (3!) #postdoc jobs supporting #BepiColombo available right now: Leicester (deadline 31/05), Imperial (10/05), and OU (24/04). Led by @drbuncen.bsky.social on behalf of UK Mercury STFC team. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRA913/r... www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRE596/r... www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRA038/r...

jobs.ac.uk

Research Associate (Planet Mercury) at University of Leicester

Explore an exciting academic career as a Research Associate (Planet Mercury). Don't miss out on other academic jobs. Click to apply and explore more opportunities.

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

🎢 Today! Anyone is welcome to join our webinar on researching how pollution affects clouds and climate. Register via the link below! 🎢

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Book your place below for the latest in our Earth & Space webinars, by our Dr Adam Povey, talking about his research on how pollution affects clouds and climate. When: Monday 20th April at 16:30 BST For more talks see: le.ac.uk/physics/abou...

eventbrite.co.uk

Smoke & Mirrors: Satellite View On How Pollution Alters Clouds and Climate

Dive into how pollution twists clouds and climate from space—join our online chat, Smoke & Mirrors!

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

🔭🎢 Join our webinar today at 5pm (GMT) to learn from Dr Jenny Carter about her new ESA mission called SMILE, due to launch soon. Sign up here 👉 le.ac.uk/physics/abou... SMILE will take X-ray images of the location that the solar wind first encounters the Earth's magnetic field and of the aurora.

Picture illustartes SMILE's operations.

SMILE! Taking the first pictures of the magnetosphere
Dr Jenny Carter
School or Physics and Astronomy & Space Park Leicester
9th March 2026

Launching in spring 2026, SMILE is going to take X-ray images of the region of near Earth space where the solar wind first encounters the Earth's magnetic field. SMILE will also take pictures of the northern hemisphere aurora, using an ultraviolet camera. This simultaneous view of cause and effect has never been done before, and promises to tell us a lot about how the Sun and Earth interact, helping a research field known as space weather.

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Leigh Fletcher @leighfletcher.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

We'd love to gather amateur Jupiter imaging over the next few weeks to provide context for this Jupiter campaign from #JWST (plus Juno with be flying by Feb 25th on #PerijoveDay!). More details here: leighfletcher.substack.com/p/supporting...

leighfletcher.substack.com

Supporting the JWST Jupiter Campaign in 2026

JWST is about to conduct its most comprehensive Jupiter campaign since 2022, and we're calling for amateur observers to share their images.

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Reposted by University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy

Leigh Fletcher @leighfletcher.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Looking to start a PhD in Physics & Astronomy in 2026? The team @physicsuol.bsky.social have announced their STFC-funded projects on offer next year, spanning astrophysics, planetary science, and space instrumentation. Deadline: Jan 18th, contact us to learn more! le.ac.uk/study/resear...

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: High resolution thermal data for climate adaption to urban heating We're advertising this project with Dr Ghent, providing crucial inputs to climate adaptation and urban greening strategies For details of all our PhD projects look here: www.findaphd.com/phds/departm... 🧪🎢

Land Surface Temperature (LST) view of London, UK, on 30 July 2024 from Sentinel 3a. The LST data have been downscaled using Vis/SWIR inputs from Landsat 9 and Sentinel 2a and a bottom-of-atmosphere optimal estimation methodology to refine the estimates from 1 km data to 100 m. Global Climate Chapter Cover Image from the “BAMS State of the Climate, 2024”. Image produced by the Land Surface Temperature Group in NCEO-Leicester.

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Carbonyl sulfide (COS) as climate diagnostic: improving space-based observations We're advertising this project with Dr Harrison, doing a complete re-evaluation of infrared spectroscopy of COS For details of all our PhD projects look here www.findaphd.com/phds/departm... 🧪🎢

IR spectrum of COS from the Coblentz Society's evaluated infrared reference spectra collection. https://webbook.nist.gov/cgi/inchi?ID=C463581&Type=IR-SPEC&Index=0

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Impact of Abrupt Permafrost Thaw on Climate Change Projections We're advertising this project with Dr Robert Parker, using Earth Observation to detect and quantify abrupt thaw transitions For details of all our PhD projects look here: www.findaphd.com/phds/departm... 🧪🎢

Thawing permafrost can result in the loss of terrain, as seen in this image where part of the coastal bluff along Drew Point, Alaska, has collapsed into the ocean. Credit: Benjamin Jones, USGS

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

🧪🎢 Public talk on Robotic Exploration of our Solar System today at 4:30pm (GMT) Join Prof Leigh Fletcher to learn about orbiters like the Juno and JUICE missions at Jupiter, rovers on the surface of Mars, and space telescopes like Hubble and JWST Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/robotic-ex...

eventbrite.co.uk

Robotic Exploration of our Solar System

An exciting online public lecture on planetary exploration from the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Sands of Time: Monitoring Aerosols to Improve Climate and Weather Forecasts We're advertising this project with Dr Adam Povey, improving our predictions of dust plume evolution For details of all our PhD projects look here: www.findaphd.com/phds/departm... 🧪🎢

Ship tracks are one of the clearest signs of how human aerosol emission can alter the properties of clouds and, thereby, the Earth's energy budget.

Credit: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/20248/ship-tracks-in-the-northern-pacific

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: “Chasing the Black Swan”: Toward Robust Frameworks for Predicting Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate We're advertising this project with Dr Tim Trent, and scientists from the UK Met Office For details of all our PhD projects look here: www.findaphd.com/phds/departm... 🧪🎢

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Beatriz Sánchez-Cano @bscredrojo.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

I still can’t believe they said my name!! I got the Global Space Award 2025 in the category of Science Breakthrough for my leadership of the M-MATISSE mission concept to Mars! A really wonderful night! Next step is to do our super best for the mission to be selected in June 2026!

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Leigh Fletcher @leighfletcher.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Leicester has partnered with the China Scholarship Council to provide #PhD funding for Chinese students, with astro/planetary @physicsuol.bsky.social specifically mentioned as a priority. If you have contacts with Chinese undergrads, please do share - deadline Dec 11th. le.ac.uk/study/resear...

le.ac.uk

China Scholarship Council and University of Leicester joint PhD scholarships | Postgraduate research | University of Leicester

China Scholarship Council and University of Leicester joint PhD scholarships

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Congratulations to our Prof Nial Tanvir and the rest of the international ENGRAVE collaboration awarded the Danish Government's inaugural Into Change Award for their work discoving the formation sites of the heaviest elements

le.ac.uk

Research group including University of Leicester astronomers receives one of the world’s largest research prizes | News | University of Leicester

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: AGN variability: hidden signals in the noise We're advertising this project with Prof Simon Vaughan, analysing AGN with methods that go beyond traditional models and assumptions For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear... 🔭🧪🎢

le.ac.uk

STFC | Postgraduate research | University of Leicester

STFC Studentships in Physics and Astronomy. University of Leicester

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Novel Pu Gd oxides for Space Nuclear Power Systems We're advertising this project with Dr Emily Jane Watkinson, investigating new options to power exploration of the outer solar system For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear... 🔭🧪🎢

le.ac.uk

STFC | Postgraduate research | University of Leicester

STFC Studentships in Physics and Astronomy. University of Leicester

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: From gamma-ray bursts to fast radio bursts: the nature of astrophysical transients across the electromagnetic spectrum We're advertising this project with Dr Starling, where you'll be rapidly responding to astrophysical events Follow the link for all our PhD projects 🔭🧪🎢

le.ac.uk

STFC | Postgraduate research | University of Leicester

STFC Studentships in Physics and Astronomy. University of Leicester

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: SMILE: Northern Lights, Camera, Action! We're advertising this project with Prof Steve Milan, using ESA's new SMILE spacecraft to study connections between aurora and electrical currents in space For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear... 🔭🧪🎢

le.ac.uk

STFC | Postgraduate research | University of Leicester

STFC Studentships in Physics and Astronomy. University of Leicester

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Towards a unified model of the Milky Way's dynamics We're advertising this project with Dr Paul McMillan, using Hamiltonian mechanics to understand our galaxy's history For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear... 🔭🧪🎢

le.ac.uk

STFC | Postgraduate research | University of Leicester

STFC Studentships in Physics and Astronomy. University of Leicester

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Revealing Mercury’s surface composition with BepiColombo MIXS We're advertising this project with Dr Martindale, using first data from BepiColombo to determine whether surface minerals have been lifted there by asteroids For details of all our PhD projects look here:

le.ac.uk

STFC | Postgraduate research | University of Leicester

STFC Studentships in Physics and Astronomy. University of Leicester

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Exploring the Atmospheres of Uranus & Neptune with JWST We're advertising this project with Prof Leigh Fletcher, using infrared spectral data to investigate the changing atmospheres of the ice giants For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear... 🔭🧪🎢

The Uranus and Neptune systems as seen by JWST/NIRCam (Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale). Uranus and its classical satellites are shown on the left against a background of galaxies; Uranus and Neptune are shown on the right replete with reflective rings and clouds. NIRSpec and MIRI will be used to provide full spectroscopy of the Uranus and Neptune atmospheres.

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: SMILE! Novel X-ray views of the magnetosphere We're advertising this project with Dr Jennifer Carter, analysing data from SMILE (launch early 2026) to understand Earth's magnetosphere and the solar wind For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear...

SMILE will have two imagers; the SXI with a view of the dayside magnetopause (purple), and the UVI with a view of the Northern Hemisphere aurora (green). The University of Leicester led the build of the SXI, shown in the inset.
Credit: Composite by J. A. Carter, background NASA.

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Discovering and characterizing extra-solar planets with the Next Generation Transit Survey and TESS We're advertising this project with Dr Matt Burleigh, analysing data on long-period exoplanets For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear... 🔭🧪🎢

The NGTS telescopes operating in their shed at ESO’s Paranal Observatory, Chile Credit: ESO/G. Lambert

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: The astrophysics and environments of the most luminous galaxies We're advertising a project with Prof Andrew Blain, using survey data to understand the brightest infrared bursts in dusty galaxies For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear... 🔭🧪🎢

The environments and internal structure of example HotDOGs. The left panel shows an ALMA image of structure in the distribution of cosmic dust around HotDOG W2246, see Diaz-Santos et al. (2018) above in Science. The right panel shows gas around another HotDOG in the background, with ALMA velocity information highlighted in the centre, see the space.com reference above.

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Study Phobos' surface with MMX We're advertising this project with Dr Chrysa Avdellidou, analysing Phobos' craters to determine its origin. For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear... 🔭🧪🎢

Stickney crater on martian moon Phobos as observed by HiRISE camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 PhD Project focus: Understanding protoplanetary disc evolution We're advertising this project with Prof Richard Alexander, making simulations of accretion of planet-forming discs onto their star. For details of all our PhD projects look here: le.ac.uk/study/resear... 🔭🧪🎢

Artist’s impression of a disc wind dispersing a planet-forming disc around a young star. Credit ESO / M. Kornmesser.

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

🔭🧪🎢 The next Open Day at the University of Leicester is tomorrow! Come and see what studying Physics here is all about! Sign up here: le.ac.uk/open-days Gain a world-class Physics education while learning from experts in Space science, Astrophysics and Earth Observation Science. 🔭🧪🎢

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Leigh Fletcher @leighfletcher.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Thanks to the team at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory for hosting me today: home of Dragonfly quadcopter to Titan (model below), Parker Solar Probe, New Horizons to Pluto, DART asteroid impactor, and more. Talked HabWorlds, JWST, heliophysics and exoplanets, all in one exhausting day.

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Beatriz Sánchez-Cano @bscredrojo.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Fantastic first part of the week at ESAC at the BepiColombo @science.esa.int Science Working Team meeting… just a bit over a year before arriving to Mercury! ✨✨ very exciting, and always great to go back home, even if just for a few days!

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

🐱 Our newest student! 🐱 Learning about the vast current flowing along the Earth's magnetic field to the ionosphere is as captivating for cats as it is for our students. It took a seat and stayed for the lecture as @bscredrojo.bsky.social explained the "Birkeland currents" to our 3rd years! 😻

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

🔭🧪🎢 As a summer research project, our undergraduate Bagirdam Dharmalingam studied greenhouse gas above the UK! ☀️ Learn more about out Earth Observation research here le.ac.uk/physics/rese... Learn about studying Physics at Leicester here 👉 le.ac.uk/study/physics

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

🔭🧪🎢 This summer project, which two of our students, Jack Fuller and Luke Smith, worked on looked at what happens when you mill through the surface of materials with lasers! Summer projects are open to our undergraduates every year. Learn about studying Physics at Leicester 👉 le.ac.uk/study/physics

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

🔭🧪🎢 Our undergraduate, Kieran Bujdoso, spent his summer project here analysing meteorites. Learn more about our meteorite research here 💫 🪨 : le.ac.uk/physics/rese... Learn about studying Physics at Leicester here 👉 le.ac.uk/study/physics

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Our 3rd year William Spanswick did a summer project here studying the Martian ionosphere! This is him telling the department about it before term started Learn more about our research here 🛰️ le.ac.uk/physics/rese... Learn about studying Physics at Leicester here 👉 le.ac.uk/study/physics

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

🔭🧪🎢 As a summer project our undergraduate student Emily Stedall looked at "The Evolution and Impact of Accretion Disk Winds in an X-Ray Binary System" 🔭🧪🎢 Learn more about studying Physics at Leicester here 👉 le.ac.uk/study/physics

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

🔭🧪🎢 Every year we run the summer research projects for some of our undergraduates. Daniel Booth looked at identifying mid-infrared counterparts to gamma-ray bursts, and he presented his work before term started 🔭🧪🎢

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University of Leicester, Physics & Astronomy @physicsuol.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

🔭🧪🎢 Every year we run some summer research projects for our undergraduates. Before term, Ayushma Paudel told us about helping to monitor food security! Learn about our Earth observation research 🌍 le.ac.uk/physics/rese... Learn about studying Physics at Leicester 👉 le.ac.uk/study/physics

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