Institute of Physics

Physics is continuing to grow in popularity, with more students choosing to study physics at A-level, but more work needs to be done to address issues of inequality.   The latest figures show an increase in the number of students taking physics, highlighting growing interest in the subject.   However, the progress towards improving the balance of girls and boys studying physics appears to have stalled this year, with girls accounting for only 23.6% of A-level entrants across the UK, down from 24.1% in 2025.   It’s vital the government put in place a sustainable long-term plan to tackle the teacher shortage of around 3,500 physics teachers across England, through retention, recruitment, and retraining.   🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eBxWBAMk

Yesterday’s skies delivered a once-in-a-generation cosmic spectacle, bringing together three incredible astronomical events in a single 24-hour window.   IOP's Ana B Belver was on the ground following the action across the path of totality to witness the universe putting on an unforgettable show:   ☀️ 🌑 The Total Solar Eclipse: Day turned into sudden twilight as the Moon swept directly in front of the Sun, revealing the glowing solar corona hovering low along the horizon.   🪐 Planetary Alignment at Totality: As the sky darkened, a striking line of planets appeared along the ecliptic, most notably brilliant Venus and Jupiter, accompanied by Mercury.   🌟 The Perseid Meteor Shower: As night fell, the celestial sequence concluded with shooting stars streaking overhead during the peak of the annual Perseids.   It was an awe-inspiring reminder of the pure wonder of space and the clockwork physics that quietly governs our solar system every single day.

Congratulations to everyone receiving their A-level results today! 👏 Whether you’re celebrating, feeling relieved, or still figuring out your next step, take a moment to recognise everything you’ve achieved. All the hard work has led to this moment, and you should be incredibly proud. If you’re considering where physics could take you, hear from members across the physics community, including IOP President Professor Paul Howarth CBE FREng, as they reflect on their own results day, why they chose physics, and the unexpected opportunities it has opened up throughout their careers. Wherever your journey leads next, we wish you the very best of luck.

The solar eclipse is happening this evening - and we're getting a spectacular view 🌞🌑 On 12 August, the Moon will pass between the Earth and Sun, creating a solar eclipse. Here in the UK and Ireland, we’ll see a partial eclipse, when around 90% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon - the most coverage in the region since 1999! But have you ever wondered why the Moon can cover the Sun so perfectly? It’s an extraordinary coincidence: the Sun is around 400 times wider than the Moon, but also around 400 times further away from Earth. From our perspective, they therefore appear almost the same size in the sky - making a total solar eclipse possible. As you look up this evening through your solar eclipse glasses, take a moment to appreciate the physics behind this spectacular celestial event.   🕶️ If you don’t have eclipse glasses, see the BBC website for three other ways to view safely: https://lnkd.in/gwrhDwx2 🔗 Discover more about the Moon at www.iop.org/moon

We're looking for volunteers to help support us with our London-based summer exhibition, Mimi and Friends' Big Earth Adventure!   The exhibition takes families on a journey through the layers of the Earth - from the core to the magnetosphere. We'll explore how physics is helping tackle some of the global challenges young people care about most.   If you're passionate about your work as a physicist and are interested in helping inspire the next generation, we'd love to hear from you.   The exhibition is on Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 4pm until 28 August. We'll also be running a Saturday session on 22 August.   Register your interest by emailing engagement@iop.org.

In Wales? Get ready to experience a spectacular solar eclipse! 🌒 Tomorrow (12 August), more than 90% of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon in a deep partial solar eclipse - and you can experience it safely at a free public event in Aberystwyth. Join physicists from Prifysgol Aberystwyth University at the Bandstand on Aberystwyth Promenade for an evening of eclipse science, safe viewing and hands-on activities. 🕶️ Free eclipse viewing glasses (while stocks last)  🔭 Specialist equipment for safely observing the eclipse  📌 Make your own pinhole eclipse viewer from 5.30pm  👩🔬 Meet solar physicists and discover the science behind the eclipse The eclipse begins at 18:10, reaches maximum coverage at 19:12, and ends at around 20:00. This event is free and open to all. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e7xYX_zV

Are you an #EarlyCareerResearcher looking to build your confidence in peer review? 👋Join thousands of researchers who have graduated on our free online #PeerReview Excellence course. Designed specifically for researchers in the #PhysicalSciences, this self-paced course supports your journey... ✅ Gain practical skills to become a more effective reviewer. ✅ Earn a certificate on completion. ✅ Take a step towards achieving IOP Trusted Reviewer status, recognising excellence in peer review quality. 🔍 Start your learning journey today: https://ow.ly/zuir50Zx37M #ResearchSkills #AcademicPublishing #OpenScience #ResearchCommunity

Need plans for August? The Royal Institution has got you covered with their Autumn Season of Science - a programme featuring something for every type of science enthusiast including theatre talks, family fun days, short courses, Friday evening discourses and more! Check out the programme here: https://lnkd.in/eFsqc5Vb

Mimi and her friends are in Dublin for a few days – don't miss out on our free summer exhibition!    Follow Mimi, Dave the Robot and the Did-You-Know Club as they explore some of Earth’s most extreme environments, while your little explorers enjoy hands-on physics experiments, creative arts and crafts, and the chance to meet real physicists.    Designed for children aged 5–11, it’s a day of discovery, creativity and family fun that will spark plenty of “Did you know…?” conversations long after your visit.    📍 Unit18, Dublin  🗓️ Dates and times: 7 August from 12pm to 4pm 8 and 9 August 10am to 4pm 10 August from 11am to 4pm 11 August from 10am to 4pm  🔗 https://lnkd.in/e2XPCzJn #MimiEarthAdventure #SummerEvent #SummerExhibition #TCDUnit18

When musicians, artists and scientists unite around UK research, it's a reminder of just how much science matters to society. More than 100 British artists and musicians, including Brian May, Johnny Marr and Jarvis Cocker, have joined the growing calls to protect Jodrell Bank, describing it as "the thriving, thumping heart of space observation, research and education in the UK". Their support shines the spotlight on the wider impact of funding decisions across UKRI and STFC. This isn't just about one observatory or one facility - very many important research facilities and projects have been earmarked for reductions in funding or, in some cases, no further funding at all. It's about the future of physics. Decisions made today will shape research capability, university departments, national facilities, early-career researchers, innovation and the skills pipeline for decades to come. We support investment in the UK's future through areas like fusion, quantum and AI. But those ambitions depend on a strong, resilient physics ecosystem. Investing in the future also means protecting the people, facilities and research that make future breakthroughs possible. 📰 Read The Guardian article: https://lnkd.in/dXWXKz_r