Martin Rees
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Articles by Martin Rees
Our world is an afterthought in a universe ruled by something far darker
Martin Rees In classical times, everything in the “sublunary sphere” (the physical universe beneath the Moon) was widely believed to consist of the four “elements” – earth, air, fire and water. But there was also curiosity about what lay beyond . At the time, the cosmos was thought to be made from a more perfect “fifth essence”.
Najbardziej fascynująca zagadka astronomii blisko rozwiązania? Były astronom z Cambridge: Wszechświat rządzony jest przez coś o wiele mroczniejszego
Martin Rees to brytyjski astronom i kosmolog związany z Uniwersytetem w Cambridge. W starożytności powszechnie uważano, że wszystko w sferze podksiężycowej (fizycznym Wszechświecie poniżej Księżyca) składa się z czterech "elementów" — ziemi, powietrza, ognia i wody. Czytaj nas częściej w Google Istniała jednak również ciekawość tego, co leży poza nią. W tamtych czasach uważano, że kosmos zbudowany jest z doskonalszej "piątej esencji".
Our world is an afterthought in a universe ruled by something far darker
In classical times, everything in the "sublunary sphere" (the physical universe beneath the Moon) was widely believed to consist of the four "elements" – earth, air, fire and water. But there was also curiosity about what lay beyond. At the time, the cosmos was thought to be made from a more perfect "fifth essence".
Náš neobyčejný vesmír - Martin Rees
O knize Náš neobyčejný vesmír Kultivovaně komponovaná kniha sira Martina Reese, astronoma světového formátu a současně známého popularizátora astronomie a astrofyziky, přehledně shrnuje nejnovější poznatky o astrofyzikálních tématech, která jsou v současné době středem zájmu laiků i odborníků.
Vesmír - Martin Rees
O knize Vesmír Další kniha z řady výpravných obrazových encyklopedií. Renomovaný astrofyzik a úspěšný popularizátor svého oboru v ní poodhaluje tajemství a neuchopitelnou krásu vesmíru. Vydáte se na cestu z nitra sluneční soustavy až po nejzazší hranice známého vesmíru. Dočtete se o silách a procesech, které ovládají vesmír. Naleznete zde teorie o tom, kdy a jak vznikl vesmír, seznámíte se s fascinujícím propojením prostoru a času a s úvahami o budoucnosti světa.
Naše poslední hodina - Martin Rees
O knize Naše poslední hodina Přežije lidstvo svůj úspěch? Martin Rees předpovídá, že šance, že by lidský druh přežil konec 21. století, nejsou větší než padesát procent. Věda sice rozjařeně postupuje stále vpřed, ale kromě nesporných přínosů vytváří i rizika, proti nimž jsou ty nejkatastrofičtější noční můry zábavným povyražením.
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it: Martin Rees on aliens
The headline: “ET could have had a headstart of a billion years or more, so creatures may be electronic, not organic” is probably enough to whet anyone’s appetite as far as stories about aliens go. It’s the title of a news piece for The Daily Telegraph, and it was penned by Lord Martin Rees, who served as Astronomer Royal between 1995 and 2025.
I believe aliens exist and this is how we might find them
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I believe aliens exist... and this is how we might find them
Steven Spielberg's classic sci-fi film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has become a firm part of popular culture - TCD Is the rest of the cosmos a pristine environment awaiting the arrival of humanity's "post-human" descendants? Or is advanced life there already – and if so has it visited us? These questions rate as some of the most fascinating in science. They bring to mind the theme of science-fiction classics like Steven Spielberg's ET.
Congratulations to the Artemis II crew – but the case for sending astronauts into space is rapidly shrinking
The Artemis II crew – from left, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman – inside the Orion spacecraft on their way home, 8 April 2026. Photograph: Nasa/UPI/Shutterstock The 2020s has seen a revival of the “Apollo spirit”. The US and China are seemingly in a race to send humans to the moon by the end of the decade – and thereafter, perhaps, even to Mars. Nasa astronauts have just returned from a 10-day journey looping around the moon.
Congratulations to the Artemis II crew – but the case for sending astronauts into space is rapidly shrinking
Martin Rees and Donald Goldsmith The 2020s has seen a revival of the “Apollo spirit”. The US and China are seeminglyin a raceto send humans to the moon by the end of the decade – and thereafter, perhaps, even to Mars. Nasa astronauts have just returned from a 10-day journey looping around the moon.
深宇宙探査は有人飛行からロボットへとシフトする
2026年は、有人宇宙飛行をめぐる議論が本格化し、米国の政策転換につながる年になるだろう。宇宙プロジェクトには通常、長期計画が必要とされる。時間的な意味でも、空間的な意味でも、遠く離れたはるか先の場所に焦点を当てることになるからだ。ただ、もし国家の優先事項として、金に糸目をつけないプロジェクトということであれば、物事が急速に進展する可能性はある。 かつてのアポロ計画がその好例だ。当時のソ連による最初のスプートニク打ち上げからアポロ計画でニール・アームストロングが月面に「小さな一歩」を記すまで、わずか12年しか経過していない。当時のわたしたちは、このままだと10年か20年程度で、人類は火星にも降り立つだろうと予想していた。ところが、有人月面探査は50年以上行なわれておらず、いまは誰も地球低軌道を越えた宇宙旅行をしていない。当時のわたしたちがそれを知ったら、さぞ驚いたことだろう。...
This Is What Scientists Get Up to When They Leave the Lab
Alan Lightman is a physicist, writer of seven novels, and professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT. His books include the international bestseller, Einstein’s Dreams, and The Diagnosis, a finalist for the National Book Award. He is also the host of the television series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. Martin Rees is the UK’s Astronomer Royal. He is based at Cambridge University where he is Fellow (and Former Master) of Trinity College.
On Yer Bike: What Does the Lime Technology Limited v Liverpool City Council Ruling Mean for Public Procurement Challenges?
The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) recently handed down judgment in the case of Lime Technology Limited v Liverpool City Council [2025] EWHC 1654 (TCC). In this case update, we examine what this case means for public procurement challenges, in particular confidentiality ring applications and concerns regarding the balancing of reasonable and proportionate exchange of confidential information.
How Scientists Can Be Good Citizens Original
On July 3, 1945, ten German scientists who had worked on Germany’s nuclear program were interned by the Allies at a country mansion called Farm Hall, in Godmanchester England, about 20 miles northwest of Cambridge. The purpose of incarcerating the physicists was to find out how close Nazi Germany had been to building an atomic bomb, and possibly also to keep them from falling into the hands of the Russians.
Illumina/Grail - Court Rules that the European Commission Cannot Investigate Deals that Fall Below EU and National Merger Thresholds
On 3 September 2024, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) – the EU’s most senior court – ruled that the European Commission (Commission) cannot investigate deals that fall below both EU and national merger control thresholds.
Illumina/Grail – Court Rules that the European Commission Cannot Investigate Deals that Fall Below EU and National Merger Thresholds | Publications | Insights & Events | Squire Patton Boggs
On 3 September 2024, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) – the EU’s most senior court – ruled that the European Commission (Commission) cannot investigate deals that fall below both EU and national merger control thresholds.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Competition Law: Balancing Innovation and Regulation
Recognising the extraordinarily rapid evolution of AI and its broad impact across many sectors, regulators in the UK, EU and globally are moving quickly to ensure that the market remains competitive and that the technology is not used by companies to gain an unfair advantage or harm consumers. On 23 May 2024, the International Institute of Communications (IIC) and our firm co-hosted a roundtable discussion on how to balance innovation and regulation in this rapidly evolving space.
Martin Rees: Why challenge prizes can solve our most pressing issues
The Oscars. The Booker prize. The Nobels. The award ceremonies that punctuate our year are all inherently backward-looking, celebrating past achievements. But there is another type of award, one that looks to the future – the challenge prize. Such prizes don’t recognise past successes, rather incentivise future ones. The idea is simple: a challenge is selected – with a clear-cut target – and a jackpot is offered to whoever first reaches that goal.
The UK's New Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act
Overview and Background The flagship UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill received Royal Assent (DMCC Act) on 24 May 2024 and is set to introduce sweeping once-in-a-generation reforms to the existing competition and consumer protection landscape in the UK, including a new ex ante regulatory regime for digital markets, significantly expanded investigative and enforcement powers for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and material refinements to the UK merger control...
Why first contact could be with artificial life
Earlier this summer, the Astronomer Royal, Martin Rees, delivered a wonderful virtual lecturer to the Starmus science conference in Bratislava. It was about whether we are alone in the Universe. It was so good that we thought you’d like to hear it too, so we got him to record it. Here’s Lord Rees… We’re all aware that our natural world is the outcome of about 4 billion years of Darwinian evolution.
European Commission Uses Dawn Raids to Investigate Foreign Subsidies
On 23 April 2024, the European Commission carried out unannounced inspections, known as "dawn raids", on the premises of a Chinese-owned security equipment company using its powers under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). This marks the first time that the Commission has exercised its dawn raid powers under the FSR to investigate foreign subsidies received by a company in the EU that are suspected of distorting competition.
We Still Don't Fully Understand Time
Neatly Arranged Timezone Clocks on Solid Blue Colored Background. Credit - Getty Images—© 2020 Sunyixun In our everyday lives, time is a precious commodity. We can gain or lose it. We can save, spend or waste it. If our crimes are revealed, we risk having to do time. To scientists, time is something we can measure.
European Commission Investigates Chinese State-backed Company's Participation in a European Tender Using New Powers Under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation
The European Commission has launched its first ever formal investigation into a potentially market-distorting foreign subsidy, exercising its powers under the 2023 Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). The investigation concerns the participation of a Chinese state-owned train manufacturer in a public tender organized by the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport and Communications.
Nasa’s Webb Telescope Spots ‘Impossible’ Early Milky Way-like Galaxies ‘That Shouldn’t Exist’ - The Independent
Astronomers have discovered an early monster galaxy larger than Milky from more than 11 billion years ago, which they say could upend our understanding of the formation and evolution of the universe. Using new data from the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists found that a massive
Titans of Science: Martin Rees
From Shropshire to space PlayFull TranscriptDownload Chris Smith met up with Martin Rees at his Cambridge home to hear about his life's work... Martin - Well, I was very lucky because I grew up in this village in the South Shropshire Hills - beautiful natural world. My parents were teachers and I was sent away to boarding school (which wasn't quite so happy) when I was 13. But I was very well taught and I did get into Cambridge and I read mathematics.
'This century is special': Martin Rees on the vast span of time
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'This century is special': Astronomer Royal Martin Rees on the vast span of time
IN OUR everyday lives, time is a precious commodity. We can gain it or lose it. We can save, spend or waste it. If our crimes are revealed, we risk doing time. But it is, of course, something we can measure. Indeed, clocks have, over the centuries, been the high-tech artefacts of their era – the water clock, the pendulum clock, Harrison’s chronometer, all the way up to the incredible precision of atomic clocks. Before there was a reliable calendar of months and seasons, the past was a fog.
Spare a moment to think about the possibilities in our eternal future
IN OUR everyday lives, time is a precious commodity. We can gain it or lose it. We can save, spend or waste it. If our crimes are revealed, we risk doing time. But it is, of course, something we can measure. Indeed, clocks have, over the centuries, been the high-tech artefacts of their era – the water clock, the pendulum clock, Harrison’s chronometer, all the way up to the incredible precision of atomic clocks. Before there was a reliable calendar of months and seasons, the past was a fog.
Walking with giants: The challenges of variant impact assessment in the giant sarcomeric protein titin
1 INTRODUCTION The giant protein titin (alias connectin; Maruyama, 1976) is the largest single-chain protein in nature (Granzier & Labeit, 2004; Labeit et al., 1990, 1992; LeWinter & Granzier, 2010; Loescher et al., 2022). While the best-known components of the sarcomere, the basic contractile unit of striated muscle, are those that make up the thin and thick filaments (Z.
If alien life is artificially intelligent, it may be stranger than we can imagine
12 hours ago All your WiFi calling questions answered in one place. With WiFi calling, you can make or receive calls with your smartphone over a WiFi connection in areas where you have poor cellular signal. It’s supported by most modern smartphones and most carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Of …
If alien life is artificially intelligent, it may be stranger than we can imagine
We've long assumed that aliens will be like us, but there's every reason to think they are instead a form of unfathomable AI, says the UK astronomer royal Lord Martin Rees. It's taken more than four billion years for intelligent life to emerge by natural selection on Earth, but there are billions more years ahead in our planet's lifetime. Over that time, intelligence could develop in entirely new directions.
Some Nobel winners are great intellects, others are lucky. There’s more to science than these prizes
Every October sees the award of the “scientific Oscars”: Nobel prizes. The science prizes established in Alfred Nobel’s will are for physics, chemistry and “physiology or medicine”. This year the three scientific Nobels went to a total of eight scientists – rewarded for sustained efforts to tackle fundamental challenges.
Bringing the history of science to the airwaves
This week marked the 1000th edition of Radio 4’s In Our Time. On days when one isn’t able to pop into one of the Science Museum Group’s five museums, In Our Time has consistently provided long-running opportunities to delve into the history of science, among many other things.
FST Journal - FST
To prepare for tomorrow, look at what is already in place today The role of science in delivering international progress Innovation drives the success of the life sciences The UK research and innovation landscape in 2023 Identifying and addressing the barriers to participation Increasing diversity is good for everyone The excitement and challenge of a career in manufacturing Government has a role in enabling high value manufacturing
Most Aliens May Be Artificial Intelligence, Not Life as We Know It
20 hours ago Today OpenAI-rival AI21 Labs released the results of a social experiment, an online game called “Human or Not,” which found that a whopping 32% of people can’t tell the difference between a human and an AI bot. The game, which the company said is the largest-scale Turing Test to date, paired up …
Most Aliens May Be Artificial Intelligence, Not Life as We Know It
The Fermi paradox takes its name from a 1950s visit by physicist Enrico Fermi to the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. One day, as Fermi was walking to lunch with physicist colleagues Emil Konopinski, Edward Teller and Herbert York, one mentioned a New Yorker cartoon depicting aliens stealing public trash cans from the streets of New York.
The myth of value-free science | Melanie Challenger
To what extent should the distinct environments of scientific knowledge creation and dissemination be free from their implications, and should they have some duty of care to the publics or societies that will be impacted by their research? Melanie Challenger wrangles with the dilemmas of knowledge production, misinterpretation, meaning and objectivity. We demand a lot from scientists.
Multivers-fortaler: Det er højst usandsynligt, at vores univers eksisterer - medmindre det er ét af mange
Det er let at forestille sig andre universer, styret af lidt anderledes naturlove, hvor hverken intelligent liv eller en form for organiseret komplekst system, kan opstå. Er det så ikke underligt, at et univers rent faktisk eksisterer, hvor vi var i stand til at opstå? Det er et spørgsmål, som fysikere (blandt andet jeg) har forsøgt at besvare i mange årtier. Men det har vist sig at være svært.
The Multiverse: Our Universe Is Suspiciously Unlikely to Exist—Unless It Is One of Many - NewsBreak
Nobody showed up to a best-selling author's book launch. She called it a 'career low point' but found out she's far from alone.
The Multiverse: Our Universe Is Suspiciously Unlikely to Exist-Unless It Is One of Many
It’s easy to envisage other universes, governed by slightly different laws of physics, in which no intelligent life, nor indeed any kind of organized complex systems, could arise. Should we therefore be surprised that a universe exists in which we were able to emerge? That’s a question physicists including me have tried to answer for decades. But it is proving difficult. Although we can confidently trace cosmic history back to one second after the Big Bang, what happened before is harder to gauge.
How science makes politics absurd
Over the past few years, we have witnessed a profound divergence between the heights of our scientific capabilities and the depths of our political failures. Sciences’ emphasis on discovery and collaboration has the power to unite people in the quest for understanding, while our politics often fall foul to divisiveness, fostering pointlessly destructive behaviour.
El cerebro no es necesario para el aprendizaje
Una investigación ha enseñado a una anémona de mar, que no tiene cerebro, aunque sí un sistema nervioso simple, a responder y recordar estímulos asociados a un comportamiento complejo gracias a las sinapsis. Algunos animales no necesitan un cerebro para poder aprender, ha descubierto un estudio de la Universidad de Friburgo (UNIFR) en Alemania cuyos resultados se publican en PNAS.
El Instituto de Oceanografía se ha convertido en el Ave Fénix de la ciencia española
El Instituto Español de Oceanografía ha vivido en los últimos tres años una metamorfosis que lo ha rescatado del colapso y lo ha convertido en un organismo del CSIC que funciona de forma unificada y descentralizada. Este cambio ha potenciado su capacidad investigadora y de asesoramiento gubernamental con resultados reconocidos y galardonados. Algo infrecuente que ha situado al IEO como referente en el campo de la gestión de la ciencia.
Los exoplanetas podrían albergar vida entre la oscuridad y la luz
De acuerdo a un nuevo estudio, un área intermedia entre el lado caliente y el costado congelado de algunos exoplanetas que orbitan cerca de sus estrellas podría funcionar como un "cinturón" habitable, una franja en la cual la vida podría disponer de las condiciones necesarias para su desarrollo, como por ejemplo la presencia de agua líquida.
Una lluvia de fuegos artificiales cósmicos enciende al Universo
El Telescopio espacial Fermi de la NASA, que observa al cosmos en rayos gamma, la forma de luz de mayor energía, ha capturado la actividad frenética del cielo en este rango de frecuencia, durante un año de observaciones. Más del 90 % de las fuentes en el conjunto de datos son blázares, regiones centrales de galaxias que albergan agujeros negros supermasivos activos, que producen poderosos chorros de partículas apuntando casi directamente a la Tierra.
Nuestro universo no existiría si no hay otros universos
Es altamente improbable que exista nuestro universo, a no ser que existan múltiples universos. Los aceleradores de partículas no pueden producir suficiente energía para replicar las condiciones que prevalecieron en el primer nanosegundo y descubrir si hubo más de un Big Bang que dio lugar a otros universos diferentes con avatares nuestros. Solo una especie posthumana podrá descubrirlos.
O noso universo non existiría se non hai outros universos
É altamente improbable que exista o noso universo, a non ser que existan múltiples universos. Os aceleradores de partículas non poden producir suficiente enerxía para replicar as condicións que prevaleceron no primeiro nanosegundo e descubrir se houbo máis dun Big Bang que deu lugar a outros universos diferentes con avatares nosos. Só unha especie posthumana poderá descubrilos.
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