Black holes are those mysterious cosmic objects where our understanding of the laws of physics breaks down. But what do they actually look like? Here's how astronomers are observing these gravitational giants: #SummerScience #Physics #Astronomy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqS5tvmtYRQ

What does a black hole actually look like? The Royal Society

YouTube video by The Royal Society

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There's still time to apply for our Entrepreneur in Residence scheme, which provides opportunities for enthusiastic industrial scientists and entrepreneurs to spend one day a week at a university developing a bespoke project. Applications close on Wednesday 19 August. #RSGrants bit.ly/3Q4QmiL

Do you know an extraordinary scientist or researcher who has been courageous in standing up for science? There's still a few days to make your nominations for the John Maddox Prize, which recognises individuals who stand up for science and evidence. Find out more below:

Sense about Science@senseaboutsci.bsky.social · last wk.

🚨 Only 1 week to go! 🚨 Make sure to submit your nominations soon for the 2026 John Maddox Prize, as the entry portal closes at midnight on Sunday 2 August. The 2026 John Maddox Prize is supported by the @royalsociety.org Finalise your entry now! 👇️ johnmaddoxprize.awardstage.com

If you're hitting Camp Bestival this weekend, don't forget to check out our #SummerScience Exhibit on tour and make some smile-powered pop music! https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2026/07/sse-on-tour-camp-bestival/

Summer Science Exhibits on Tour at Camp Bestival | Royal Society

Discover ground-breaking science with the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibits on Tour at Camp Bestival

royalsociety.org

The APEX Awards are open for applications. Run in partnership with @britishacademy.bsky.social and @raeng.org.uk, and generously supported by @leverhulme.ac.uk, this scheme promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and supports outstanding curiosity-driven research. royalsociety.org/grants/apex-...

Why does one of the Royal Society's portraits of Isaac Newton contain a depiction of a snake eating its own tail, a symbol with alchemical connotations known as the ouroboros? Ainsley Vinall looks closer on our blog: https://royalsociety.org/blog/2026/07/snakes-and-leaders/

The SUSTAIN programme is open for applications. Delivered in collaboration with @acmedsci.bsky.social and supported by @raeng.org.uk, it supports women in research to develop leadership and career potential, and is open to award-holders from eligible schemes across the academies. bit.ly/4fenn5T

Are you heading to Camp Bestival next weekend? Create some smile-powered pop music and delve into the Quantum Zone as exhibits from the 2025 #SummerScience Exhibition hit the festival! https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2026/07/sse-on-tour-camp-bestival/

Summer Science Exhibits on Tour at Camp Bestival | Royal Society

Discover ground-breaking science with the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibits on Tour at Camp Bestival

royalsociety.org

The SUSTAIN programme is now open for applications. Delivered in collaboration with @acmedsci.bsky.social and supported by @raeng.org.uk, it supports women in research to develop leadership and career potential, and is open to award-holders from eligible schemes across the academies. bit.ly/4fenn5T

Long Covid imposes a significant burden on individuals, public health systems and the economy across the globe. As the effort to understand and treat this condition continues, on our blog Professor Charles Bangham FRS considers five key questions: https://royalsociety.org/blog/2026/07/long-covid/

Five questions on Long Covid | Royal Society

This article builds on the 2024 blog post ‘Is there hope for people with Long Covid?’

royalsociety.org

"It is essential that science is in no way a junior partner." Paul Nurse PRS has responded to changes including the merger of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology into a new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade: royalsociety.org/news/2026/07...

Changes to government science department | Royal Society

The new Prime Minister has merged the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology into a new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

royalsociety.org

The 2026 John Maddox Prize recognises individuals who stand up for science and evidence, advancing public discussion around difficult topics despite challenges. Enter or nominate below:

Sense about Science@senseaboutsci.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Do you or someone you know work tirelessly to stand up for science? Then enter your nominations now for the 2026 John Maddox Prize, supported by @royalsociety.org Enter or nominate 👇 johnmaddoxprize.awardstage.com#!/p0

Our University Research Fellowships are now open for applications. This scheme provides outstanding early-career scientists with the opportunity to build an independent research careers and pursue cutting edge scientific research. Find out more and apply now: royalsociety.org/grants/unive...

From the secret science behind baking your favourite cakes to the riddle of why animals sing, don't forget to check out our talks from the #SummerScience Exhibition, with more being released on our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/4p5WaWj

Join physicist and presenter Lucie Green and Astronomer Royal Michele Dougherty FRS as they explore the remarkable life and work of Caroline Herschel, who discovered comets and changed the way we study the stars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JsSqxbfqLE

The amazing story of astronomer Caroline Herschel | The Royal Society

YouTube video by The Royal Society

youtube.com

A diverse diet contributes to a healthy gut microbiome, but there are other unexpected little helpers in our home... 🐈 In the 2024 Christmas Lectures, Chris van Tulleken and Louise Kenny explained how our environment affects our gut. Watch the whole series here: youtube.com/watch?v=FP3-Vq3NiO4

Did you know that there are around 39 trillion microorganisms living inside your body right now? The Government Office for Science have released a new explainer on your gut microbiome and why it's so important to your health. #GutHealth #BackedByUKScience https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RBvZzicM12c

What is the gut microbiome?

YouTube video by The Government Office for Science

youtube.com

Are you a neuroscientist or AI researcher with an interest in the nature of intelligence? Join us in Bristol for a residential scientific meeting examining how intelligence emerges in biological systems. You can also apply to present a poster at the meeting. royalsociety.org/science-even...

Are you an immunologist or environmental scientist with an interest in human health? Join our upcoming scientific meeting on the topic of the exposome and chronic inflammatory diseases. You can also apply to present a poster at the meeting. royalsociety.org/science-even...

Don't forget, you can catch up with featured talks from our #SummerScience Exhibition online! Get a taste of the delicious chemistry of baking, uncover the hidden chemistry of everyday life, and later this weekend experience 100 years of Sir David Attenborough: https://bit.ly/4p5WaWj

Can science with the 2026 World Cup? Hear straight from the experts in this special @newscientist.com The World, The Universe and Us podcast recorded here at the Royal Society:

Rowan Hooper@rowhoop.bsky.social · last mo.

WHAT a podcast lineup! HOW SCIENCE WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP ⚽Charlotte Cowie – FA's Chief Medical Officer ⚽Ian Graham – data legend from Liverpool FC ⚽Holly Bridge – Oxford neuroscientist, runs Football on the Brain project youtu.be/VhPr06rQrwE

Our #SummerScience Exhibition is well and truly underway, celebrating cutting-edge, mind-blowing science from around the UK. With free entry all day every day until Sunday 5 July, plan your visit now: royalsociety.org/science-even...

We are very happy to announce the six titles shortlisted for the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize 2026. From health misinformation to the fishing industry, these mind-growing reads represent the best of science writing from the past year. #SciBooks bit.ly/4vgp5Zm

Shortlist unveiled for Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize 2026 | Royal Society

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Can't make it to the #SummerScience Exhibition this week? We'll be featuring talks daily online, starting from 19.10pm this evening with a fascinating panel on our future with AI. Watch here: https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/summer-science-exhibition/watch-online/

Featured talks from the Summer Science Exhibition 2026 | Royal Society

Watch talks from the Summer Science Exhibition 2026 available to watch online.

royalsociety.org

Are you a neuroscientist or AI researcher with an interest in the nature of intelligence? Join us in Bristol for a residential scientific meeting examining how intelligence emerges in biological systems. You can also apply to present a poster at the meeting. royalsociety.org/science-even...

Are you a physicist or earth scientist with an interest in planetary magnetism? Join our upcoming scientific meeting on the magnetic histories of Earth and other terrestrial objects. You can also apply to present your poster at the meeting. royalsociety.org/science-even...

From depictions of science on the silver screen to what black holes look like up close and the art and ingenuity of feathers, here's what you can expect from the packed line up of talks and activities at the #SummerScience Exhibition this week: https://bit.ly/4vzOTA2

In our latest #WomenInSTEM film, space scientist and presenter Lucie Green meets up with Astronomer Royal Michele Dougherty FRS to explore the remarkable life of Caroline Herschel, an astronomer who helped expand our knowledge of the cosmos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JsSqxbfqLE

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It's nearly our #SummerScience Exhibition! The action kicks off with our adults-only Lates evening on Tuesday 30 June, including a live podcast recording from the New Scientist and the announcement of the Trivedi Science Book Prize 2026 shortlist. Find out more: https://bit.ly/4oUpIWW

60 million stars in just one image 🤯 @esa.int's Euclid mission has just released the most detailed visible light image ever of our galaxy's centre. See this image up close and meet some of the scientists behind it at our #SummerScience Exhibition next week: eucliduk.net/rssse.html

ESA Space Science@science.esa.int · last mo.

No less than 60 million stars in one image. It's possible thanks to ESA's Euclid mission. For just one day, Euclid turned its gaze to the crowded heart of the Milky Way and captured the largest, most detailed photo ever taken of our galaxy's centre in visible light. Let's dive deeper 👇 🔭 🧪 ☄️ 1/8