For a fraction of a second, about 13 billion years ago, the Universe expanded faster than the speed of light. 🌌 This is called cosmic inflation.

Cosmologist David Mulryne helps us visualise this with a simple yet brilliant demo.

🧪 Full lecture: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmkH...

Spacesuits like this one are uncomfortable, but they keep astronauts safe in the most dangerous parts of their mission. 🧑‍🚀

Helen Sharman, the first British person in space, talks us through some of the features of her Sokol spacesuit.

It's not just cool, it's rocket science 🚀 Nanoparticles of iron in a medium form a magnetic liquid.

Our new mini-documentary uncovers how Michael Faraday investigated nanoparticles over 100 years before the start of interest in nanotechnology.

Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=NFwknJClXS0

What would the vacuum of space do to a pumpkin? 🎃

This year's Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, will be out-of-this-world! 🪐 Join space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock for a whistle-stop tour of our Solar System, and beyond.

Learn more about the series: rigb.org/christmas-lectures

Looking at a bunch of equations can feel daunting to many. 🫣 Why is that?

Physicist Jim Gates likens the melody from sheet music to the "stories" told by maths.

Watch the full talk here: youtube.com/watch?v=KsNIl8_PVTo

This October, we're celebrating black voices in STEM for #BlackHistoryMonth

Did you ever notice this TINY detail on the old £20 notes? 💸

@katysduncan.bsky.social brings us back behind the scenes in the Ri archives to uncover some *noteworthy* fun facts.

A happy and bright #Diwali from the Ri to all those celebrating 🪔

Dan from our Demo team brings a pop of science to the festivities by explaining what makes up a firework. 🧪

Have you ever poured a bit of water on a very hot pan and seen the droplets "running away"? 🌡️

That's the Leidenfrost effect, which happens when a liquid comes into contact with a surface that has a major temperature difference. 🧪

Earth’s rocks are full of uranium, so why are they not constantly exploding as they are hit with cosmic rays? 💥

Physicist Frank Close explains the crucial difference in uranium isotopes.

Full talk on the dawn of the Nuclear Age: youtu.be/rBV4czuCFvg

Have you ever recognised a familiar shape in the clouds? ☕ This is a psychological phenomenon called pareidolia.

Anomalistic psychology expert Chris French explains how it's related to how our brains perceive the world around us.

Full lecture: youtube.com/watch?v=i8mjM3PB_Tk

NEW PODCAST EPISODE 🎧

Sickle cell disorder affects the shape of red blood cells, with a profound impact on the body.

Researcher @saraelhoss.bsky.social and patient advocate Stephanie George join us to discuss this often misunderstood disease.

Listen now: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...