Earth and Space Webinars

Monitoring Climate Change from Space

Sign up for the webinar via this link.

Learn about the incredible research going on in School of Physics and Astronomy in Leicester through webinars given by our lecturers and professors. The Space & Earth webinars cover topics all the way from our environment to the most distant and dynamic parts of the universe!

These webinars are for anyone interested in Space & Earth, but particularly for anyone considering studying Physics at university.

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere act as a blanket, warming our planet and driving climate change and can be emitted from human activity (like the burning of fossil fuels) as well as natural sources (like swamps). Using sophisticated instruments on Earth-observing satellites, we can measure how these gases vary globally and identify major sources of emissions. This talk will focus on what we’ve learnt so far and look ahead to the next generation of satellite missions that will take this capability even further.

Past webinars

December 10th 2025: Robotic Exploration of our Solar System
Prof Leigh Fletcher, School of Physics and Astronomy & Space Park Leicester

Join Leigh Fletcher, a member of Leicester’s Planetary Science team, to learn about the fleet of robotic spacecraft currently exploring the worlds of our Solar System: from planetary orbiters like the Juno and JUICE missions at Jupiter, to rovers on the surface of Mars, and complex space telescopes like Hubble and JWST. This talk will provide insights into the cutting-edge planetary research happening right here in the Midlands.

November 12th 2025: Solar Storms and the Northern Lights

Dr Darren Wright, School of Physics and Astronomy

The Northern Lights or aurora have been visible over the UK in recent years, most notably following the large solar storm in May 2024. Aurorae are a manifestation of a very dynamic battle in space between the Sun and the Earth. This interaction has a profound impact on human activities in space and on the ground. In this talk we will look at the cause of the aurora why it is important to society.