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In January, the Dark Energy Survey (DES) completed its 6-year-mission to map more than 300 million distant galaxies; however, the equally arduous task of analysing the data is just beginning.
Many small research reactors used as neutron sources are being shut down. To replace them, new facilities are being developed. In particular, compact accelerator-based neutron sources can take up many of the activities previously supported by reactor-based facilities.
Cosmological hydrodynamics simulations reveal the possible formation of supermassive stars within metal-free primordial gas haloes. These stars are thought to be the origin of supermassive black holes.
The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility is upgrading to become the first high-energy fourth generation synchrotron. It will be a test bed for new technologies and will provide users with unprecedented measurement capabilities.
As Nature Reviews Physics takes its first step, publishing its first issue, we outline the journal’s scope, aims and dreams for the future. We call on readers, authors and referees to join us on our journey.
Two Nature Photonics papers report on microresonator laser frequency combs that enable spectrometer calibration with a precision high enough to potentially spot Earth-like planets in exo-planet searches.
Two robotic missions, one from China and one from India, will explore the southern lunar hemisphere, sending back a wealth of information about the surface and composition of the Moon, and perhaps even more.
Physics keeps changing and so do classification and subject indexing. Arthur Smith recalls the final updates to the Physics and Astronomy Classification Scheme (PACS) and the development of the Physics Subject Headings (PhySH), and ponders future directions.
Modern theoretical physics is indivisible. Ideas flow freely and fruitfully across traditional boundaries separating materials physics, fundamental physics and cosmology. How did this state of affairs come to be? What are its outstanding results? Is there more to come? Frank Wilczek discusses the synergy between the different fields of physics.
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the largest particle accelerator in the world. But, after 10 years of operation, it’s time to think about the next steps. With one approved upgrade — the High-Luminosity LHC — and design studies for possible future colliders on the table, intense efforts are being directed to the development of new technologies.
