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The surviving core of a gas giant has been discovered orbiting a distant star by University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ astronomers, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the interior of a planet. The team from the University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ’s Department of Physics reports the discovery today (1 July) in the journal Nature, and is thought to be the first time the exposed core of a planet has been observed.

The first direct measurements of the magnetic field in the chromosphere of the Sun by a team including University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ physicists has provided the first observational evidence that huge tornadoes in our Sun’s atmosphere are produced by swirling magnetic fields.

Extreme space weather events can significantly impact systems such as satellites, communications systems, power distribution and aviation. They are driven by solar activity which is known to have an irregular but roughly 11 year cycle. By devising a new, regular ‘sun clock’, researchers have found that the switch on and off of periods of high solar activity is quite sharp, and are able to determine the switch on/off times. Their analysis shows that whilst extreme events can happen at any time, they are much less likely to occur in the quiet interval.

Warm winter spells have increased in frequency and duration two- to three times over since 1878, according to scientists led by the University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ.

21^st century X-ray technology has allowed University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ scientists to peer back through time at the production of the armour worn by the crew of Henry VIII’s favoured warship, the Mary Rose.

Four academics at the University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ have been awarded a UKRI Future Leader Fellowship, providing world class research in topics ranging from stellar explosions, medieval medical texts for modern medicines, synthetic biology and climate –related financial risks.