Uni Bern Magazin: Thema Matter and the universe

Exoplanets, neutrinos, instruments

Matter and the Universe

Contributions to space missions such as CHEOPS or Juice, leading models of planet formation, search for space debris or novel experimental approaches to detecting elementary particles – the University of Bern gets to the bottom of the really big questions. ESA, NASA and CERN are just three of many partners.

Current

Quantum-based research

Opening of new WSS research center

The University of Basel and the University of Bern are setting up a new research center to enable the construction of superconducting quantum units. The Werner Siemens Foundation is supporting the project with a total of CHF 15 million.

To the media release

Universe

New findings in the search for life on Mars

Researchers led by the University of Bern have detected fossil microorganisms in Messinian Algerian gypsum using the LIMS mass spectrometer. This innovative technique could have the potential to detect life on Mars.

To the media release

AI unveils:

Meteoroid impacts cause Mars to shake

A study led by the University of Bern shows that impacts on Mars send seismic shockwaves farther and deeper than previously thought, and that many of the marsquakes recorded by the NASA lander InSight are caused by meteoroid impacts.

Media release

Jupiter moon Europa

NASA mission with Bernese participation

On October 14, 2024, NASA's Europa Clipper mission began its journey to Jupiter's moon Europa. The aim is to investigate if the icy moon currently has habitable conditions. Four researchers from Bern are part of the mission's scientific teams.

Universe

Exoplanet discovered around our neighboring star

Researchers from the University of Bern, the University of Geneva and the NCCR PlanetS have discovered an exoplanet orbiting our neighboring star Barnard. This discovery advances our understanding of planetary systems in our cosmic neighborhood.

Why Mars could be red

To the media release

A team led by the University of Bern may have solved the mystery: a water-rich iron mineral could be the main cause of the red color, which also suggests a potentially habitable past on Mars.

People

Scientist portrait

"As a woman, you're often alone but also highly visible"

Audrey Vorburger is a planetary scientist and a mother of three children. In the video, she talks about the search for life beyond Earth and her experiences in a male-dominated professional field.

Scientist portrait

«I am like a molecular architect»

Eva Hevia is researching chemical compounds that combine metals and organic components. Her aim is to develop new molecules in a more sustainable manner. In the video, she talks about the challenges of her role as a professor.

Daniel Batora

Developer of a healthy flavour enhancer

Daniel Batora is a postdoc at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. He wants to use a newly discovered class of plant molecules to help food manufacturers make their products healthier.

Jo Ann Egger

The student who controls a space telescope

"It's really cool to have a space telescope observe what I tell it to observe!" So says doctoral student Jo Ann Egger, the youngest and first student member of the CHEOPS science team. How did she get there?

Participation in ESA mission

Comet research with Bernese instruments

The University of Bern is contributing two instruments to the European Space Agency's (ESA) Comet Interceptor Mission, which is due to set off for a comet in 2029. Martin Rubin explains the importance of this mission for understanding our origins.

Astronomy

The sun in view

Lucia Kleint researches powerful solar storms that can cause major problems on Earth. In a video interview, the active researcher explains why the University of Bern is the perfect place for her research.

Hans Sigrist Prize

Aaron Roth: Pioneer of fair algorithms

In December 2023, the most highly endowed prize of the University of Bern will go to the US computer scientist Aaron Roth. His research aims to incorporate social norms into algorithms and to better protect privacy.