Royal Institution
@rigb.org
We're an independent charity connecting people of all ages and backgrounds with science.
📺 Home of the #XmasLectures
💥 Weekly science talks online/in person
🌐 rigb.org
📺 Home of the #XmasLectures
💥 Weekly science talks online/in person
🌐 rigb.org
Why are we seeing the Northern Lights more frequently here in the UK? Planetary scientist Marina Galand illustrates how this is due to a period of peak activity from the Sun ☀️
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=DGcYBkw5MQ0
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=DGcYBkw5MQ0
November 19, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Why are we seeing the Northern Lights more frequently here in the UK? Planetary scientist Marina Galand illustrates how this is due to a period of peak activity from the Sun ☀️
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=DGcYBkw5MQ0
Watch the full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=DGcYBkw5MQ0
💼 Work opportunity
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Archivist to continue archiving the Ri’s collection and to review, refine, and further develop our archive structure and systems.
Apply here before 24 November: rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us#a7xPy000000hmfhIAA
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Archivist to continue archiving the Ri’s collection and to review, refine, and further develop our archive structure and systems.
Apply here before 24 November: rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us#a7xPy000000hmfhIAA
November 16, 2025 at 9:15 AM
💼 Work opportunity
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Archivist to continue archiving the Ri’s collection and to review, refine, and further develop our archive structure and systems.
Apply here before 24 November: rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us#a7xPy000000hmfhIAA
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Archivist to continue archiving the Ri’s collection and to review, refine, and further develop our archive structure and systems.
Apply here before 24 November: rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us#a7xPy000000hmfhIAA
Potassium and calcium are both metals, but they produce extremely different reactions with water 🫧 💥
Chemistry demonstration virtuoso Andrew Szydlo shows these two elements in action. Watch the full lecture here: youtube.com/watch?v=OYZT3opLedc&t=5174s
Chemistry demonstration virtuoso Andrew Szydlo shows these two elements in action. Watch the full lecture here: youtube.com/watch?v=OYZT3opLedc&t=5174s
November 15, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Potassium and calcium are both metals, but they produce extremely different reactions with water 🫧 💥
Chemistry demonstration virtuoso Andrew Szydlo shows these two elements in action. Watch the full lecture here: youtube.com/watch?v=OYZT3opLedc&t=5174s
Chemistry demonstration virtuoso Andrew Szydlo shows these two elements in action. Watch the full lecture here: youtube.com/watch?v=OYZT3opLedc&t=5174s
We're off to space! Don't miss the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI 🧑🚀
Join space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock on an epic voyage through space and time in search of evidence of extra-terrestrial life.
Find out more about the series: rigb.org/christmas-lectures
Join space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock on an epic voyage through space and time in search of evidence of extra-terrestrial life.
Find out more about the series: rigb.org/christmas-lectures
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
We're off to space! Don't miss the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI 🧑🚀
Join space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock on an epic voyage through space and time in search of evidence of extra-terrestrial life.
Find out more about the series: rigb.org/christmas-lectures
Join space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock on an epic voyage through space and time in search of evidence of extra-terrestrial life.
Find out more about the series: rigb.org/christmas-lectures
Phone cameras are so small and lightweight because of the camera technology designed by a team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the 1990s. 📷
They needed high-quality cameras small enough to fit on spacecraft, and many cameras today use this technology.
They needed high-quality cameras small enough to fit on spacecraft, and many cameras today use this technology.
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Phone cameras are so small and lightweight because of the camera technology designed by a team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the 1990s. 📷
They needed high-quality cameras small enough to fit on spacecraft, and many cameras today use this technology.
They needed high-quality cameras small enough to fit on spacecraft, and many cameras today use this technology.
The scratch-resistant lenses on your glasses rely on a carbon coating originally designed for the visors on space helmets. 👓
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The scratch-resistant lenses on your glasses rely on a carbon coating originally designed for the visors on space helmets. 👓
Sunglasses use UV-Blocking technology originally designed to protect astronauts’ eyes from harmful wavelengths of solar radiation. 🕶️
Scientists studied the eyes of birds of prey and used this inspiration from nature to create the technology we use in sunglasses, safety masks and ski goggles today.
Scientists studied the eyes of birds of prey and used this inspiration from nature to create the technology we use in sunglasses, safety masks and ski goggles today.
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Sunglasses use UV-Blocking technology originally designed to protect astronauts’ eyes from harmful wavelengths of solar radiation. 🕶️
Scientists studied the eyes of birds of prey and used this inspiration from nature to create the technology we use in sunglasses, safety masks and ski goggles today.
Scientists studied the eyes of birds of prey and used this inspiration from nature to create the technology we use in sunglasses, safety masks and ski goggles today.
Infrared thermometers measure thermal energy emitted by the eardrum using technology developed by NASA and Diatek to measure the temperature of stars and planets. 🌡️
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Infrared thermometers measure thermal energy emitted by the eardrum using technology developed by NASA and Diatek to measure the temperature of stars and planets. 🌡️
Cordless vacuums came into existence after NASA contracted Black & Decker to create a lightweight device to collect samples on the Moon. 🌙
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Cordless vacuums came into existence after NASA contracted Black & Decker to create a lightweight device to collect samples on the Moon. 🌙
Memory Foam, like in your mattress or pillows, was invented in 1966 when NASA commissioned Charles Yost to create something to keep pilots cushioned during spaceflight. 🛏️
Pretty essential when you’re being launched into space at 17,500 mph!
Pretty essential when you’re being launched into space at 17,500 mph!
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Memory Foam, like in your mattress or pillows, was invented in 1966 when NASA commissioned Charles Yost to create something to keep pilots cushioned during spaceflight. 🛏️
Pretty essential when you’re being launched into space at 17,500 mph!
Pretty essential when you’re being launched into space at 17,500 mph!
Wireless headphones were developed for astronauts in the 1960s so that they could be completely hands-free, and avoid getting tangled up in wires! 🎧
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Wireless headphones were developed for astronauts in the 1960s so that they could be completely hands-free, and avoid getting tangled up in wires! 🎧
From headphones to Memory Foam, do you know how many everyday things in your home were originally invented for astronauts?
Here are our seven favourite surprising items that we wouldn’t have without space travel. #Thread 🚀
Here are our seven favourite surprising items that we wouldn’t have without space travel. #Thread 🚀
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
From headphones to Memory Foam, do you know how many everyday things in your home were originally invented for astronauts?
Here are our seven favourite surprising items that we wouldn’t have without space travel. #Thread 🚀
Here are our seven favourite surprising items that we wouldn’t have without space travel. #Thread 🚀
Have you ever tracked, in photos, the retrograde movement of a planet? 🔭
Or perhaps you're planning to capture the retrograde motion of Mercury and Jupiter this month? (1/2)
Or perhaps you're planning to capture the retrograde motion of Mercury and Jupiter this month? (1/2)
November 10, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Have you ever tracked, in photos, the retrograde movement of a planet? 🔭
Or perhaps you're planning to capture the retrograde motion of Mercury and Jupiter this month? (1/2)
Or perhaps you're planning to capture the retrograde motion of Mercury and Jupiter this month? (1/2)
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...
Cosmologist David Mulryne helps us visualise this with a simple yet brilliant demo.
🧪 Full lecture: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmkH...
November 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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...
Cosmologist David Mulryne helps us visualise this with a simple yet brilliant demo.
🧪 Full lecture: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmkH...
💼 Work opportunity! 🧪
Are you enthusiastic about enriching young people’s experiences of STEM?
We are looking for a Project Coordinator to join our Masterclasses team. The programme reaches thousands of students all over the UK.
Apply here: rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us#a7xPy000000h3NdIAI
Are you enthusiastic about enriching young people’s experiences of STEM?
We are looking for a Project Coordinator to join our Masterclasses team. The programme reaches thousands of students all over the UK.
Apply here: rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us#a7xPy000000h3NdIAI
November 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
💼 Work opportunity! 🧪
Are you enthusiastic about enriching young people’s experiences of STEM?
We are looking for a Project Coordinator to join our Masterclasses team. The programme reaches thousands of students all over the UK.
Apply here: rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us#a7xPy000000h3NdIAI
Are you enthusiastic about enriching young people’s experiences of STEM?
We are looking for a Project Coordinator to join our Masterclasses team. The programme reaches thousands of students all over the UK.
Apply here: rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us#a7xPy000000h3NdIAI
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.
Helen Sharman, the first British person in space, talks us through some of the features of her Sokol spacesuit.
November 6, 2025 at 10:33 AM
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.
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
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
November 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
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
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
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
October 31, 2025 at 10:31 AM
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
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
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
October 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
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
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
Thanks to everyone who came to yesterday's talk with Nikku Madhusudhan, about exoplanets and future prospects in the search for habitable environments.
If you missed it, you'll get a chance to catch it on our YouTube channel soon!
We post new videos every week: youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
If you missed it, you'll get a chance to catch it on our YouTube channel soon!
We post new videos every week: youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
October 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Thanks to everyone who came to yesterday's talk with Nikku Madhusudhan, about exoplanets and future prospects in the search for habitable environments.
If you missed it, you'll get a chance to catch it on our YouTube channel soon!
We post new videos every week: youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
If you missed it, you'll get a chance to catch it on our YouTube channel soon!
We post new videos every week: youtube.com/TheRoyalInstitution
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.
@katysduncan.bsky.social brings us back behind the scenes in the Ri archives to uncover some *noteworthy* fun facts.
October 21, 2025 at 3:21 PM
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.
@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. 🧪
Dan from our Demo team brings a pop of science to the festivities by explaining what makes up a firework. 🧪
October 20, 2025 at 12:19 PM
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. 🧪
Dan from our Demo team brings a pop of science to the festivities by explaining what makes up a firework. 🧪
And now, the moment you've been waiting for... 🎟️
Tickets for the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, will go on sale next week in two first-come, first-served waves, on Wednesday 22 October and Saturday 25 October.
(1/2)
Tickets for the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, will go on sale next week in two first-come, first-served waves, on Wednesday 22 October and Saturday 25 October.
(1/2)
October 16, 2025 at 3:31 PM
And now, the moment you've been waiting for... 🎟️
Tickets for the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, will go on sale next week in two first-come, first-served waves, on Wednesday 22 October and Saturday 25 October.
(1/2)
Tickets for the 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, will go on sale next week in two first-come, first-served waves, on Wednesday 22 October and Saturday 25 October.
(1/2)
Delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban MBE, to see for himself the impact of the Mayor of London visionary £4.35M investment in making London greener for everyone.
@metecoban92.bsky.social @london.gov.uk
@metecoban92.bsky.social @london.gov.uk
October 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban MBE, to see for himself the impact of the Mayor of London visionary £4.35M investment in making London greener for everyone.
@metecoban92.bsky.social @london.gov.uk
@metecoban92.bsky.social @london.gov.uk