Physics World Stories Podcast

Oppenheimer unfiltered: rare recordings released to the public

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

The latest episode of Physics World Stories dives into a remarkable archival release. A series of audio interviews with Robert Oppenheimer, recorded in the 1960s, is now accessible through the American Institute of Physics (AIP). Made available for non-commercial use in collaboration with the Oppenheimer family, these recordings offer a rare chance to hear the physicist’s voice and experience his unfiltered thoughts.

AIP digital archivist Allison Buser guides listeners through the significance of the collection, interspersed with clips. The first interview (1960) captures Oppenheimer reflecting on the lead-up to and aftermath of the Trinity test. A 1963 oral history with science historian Thomas S Kuhn shifts focus to Oppenheimer’s personal journey and his views on quantum and nuclear physics. The final interview (1966), sees him discussing Enrico Fermi’s legacy and the physics community of his era.

Hosted by Andrew Glester, this episode provides a rare glimpse into one of the most consequential scientists of the 20th century. You can find links to the full archive material in the AIP newsletter, along with further context in this article by Allison Buser. You can also hear an interview with Kai Bird, co-author of American Prometheus, the book that inspired the 2023 blockbuster film Oppenheimer.

Exploring the astrophysics behind Project Hail Mary

Tue, 31 Mar 2026

What happens when hard science fiction collides with big-budget cinema? The latest episode of Physics World Stories delves into the ideas within Project Hail Mary – a new film about a science teacher (portrayed by Ryan Gosling) who finds himself alone on a spacecraft with the job of saving humanity from a star-dimming threat.

Host Andrew Glester talks to science-fiction author Andy Weir, whose 2021 novel inspired the production. Weir, also known for The Martian and Artemis – both adapted for the screen – has built a reputation for scientific rigour, sometimes spending days perfecting calculations for the smallest plot details. In the interview, he reflects on how his writing has evolved over time, with a growing focus on character development alongside the hardcore science.

Also in the episode is astrophysicist and science communicator Becky Smethurst, who gives her take on the film’s science. From the treatment of relativity to its refreshingly plausible take on alien life, Smethurst loves how Project Hail Mary avoids many familiar sci-fi clichés. She also shares some of her favourite recent science fiction.

Smethurst, who runs the popular YouTube channel Dr Becky, recently released a series about Project Hail Mary. It’s well worth checking out the entertaining interviews with Weir, Gosling and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller – all grappling with the challenge of bringing complex physics to the screen.

https://youtu.be/lYHCTEnYOr4?si=ZLwG_2VfQMeEFOzZ

Chernobyl at 40: physics, politics and the nuclear debate today

Fri, 27 Feb 2026

On 26 April 2026, it will be 40 years since the explosion at Unit 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant – the worst nuclear accident the world has known. In the early hours of 26 April 1986, a badly designed reactor, operated under intense pressure during a safety test, ran out of control. A powerful explosion and prolonged fire followed, releasing radioactive material across Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, with smaller quantities spewing across Europe.

In this episode of Physics World Stories, host Andrew Glester speaks with Jim Smith, an environmental physicist at the University of Portsmouth. Smith began his academic life studying astrophysics, but always had an interest in environmental issues. His PhD in applied mathematics at Liverpool focused on modelling how radioactive material from Chernobyl was transported through the atmosphere and deposited as far away as the Lake District in north-western England.

Smith recounts his visits to the abandoned Chernobyl plant and the 1000-square-mile exclusion zone, now home to roaming wolves and other thriving wildlife. He wants a rational debate about the relative risks, arguing that the accident’s social and economic consequences have significantly outweighed the long-term impacts of radiation itself.

The discussion ranges from the politics of nuclear energy and the hierarchical culture of the Soviet system, to lessons later applied during the Fukushima accident. Smith makes the case for nuclear power as a vital complement to renewables.

He also shares the story behind the Chernobyl Spirit Company – a social enterprise he has launched with Ukrainian colleagues, producing safe, high-quality spirits to support Ukrainian communities. Listen to find out whether Andrew Glester dared to try one.

Cosmic time capsules: the search for pristine comets

Fri, 23 Jan 2026

In this episode of Physics World Stories, host Andrew Glester explores the fascinating hunt for pristine comets – icy bodies that preserve material from the solar system’s beginnings and even earlier. Unlike more familiar comets that repeatedly swing close to the Sun and transform, these frozen relics act as time capsules, offering unique insights into our cosmic history.

Pale blue circle against red streaks. composite image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS captured by the Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument on NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft — Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is seen in this composite image captured on 6 November 2025 by the Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument on NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft. (Courtesy: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SWRI)

The first guest is Tracy Becker, deputy principal investigator for the Ultraviolet Spectrograph on NASA’s Europa Clipper mission. Becker describes how the Jupiter-bound spacecraft recently turned its gaze to 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar visitor that appeared last July. Mission scientists quickly reacted to this unique opportunity, which also enabled them to test the mission’s instruments before it arrives at the icy world of Europa.

Michael Küppers then introduces the upcoming Comet Interceptor mission, set for launch in 2029. This joint ESA–JAXA mission will “park” in space until a suitable comet arrives from the outer reaches of the solar system. They will deploy two probes to study it from multiple angles – offering a first-ever close look at material untouched since the solar system’s birth.

From interstellar wanderers to carefully orchestrated intercepts, this episode blends pioneering missions and cosmic detective work. Keep up to date with all the latest space and astronomy developments in the dedicated section of the Physics World website.

Forging a more inclusive new generation of physicists

Wed, 17 Dec 2025

The latest episode of Physics World Stories takes you inside CUWiP+, the Conference for Undergraduate Women and Non-Binary Physicists, and the role the annual event plays in shaping early experiences of studying physics.

The episode features June McCombie from the University of Nottingham, who discusses what happens at CUWiP+ events and why they are so important for improving the retention of women and non-binary students in STEM. She reflects on how the conferences create space for students to explore career paths, build confidence and see themselves as part of the physics community.

Reflections and tips from CUWiP+ 2025

University of Birmingham students Tanshpreet Kaur and Harriett McCormick share their experiences of attending the 2025 CUWiP+ event at the University of Warwick and explain why they are excited for the next event, set for Birmingham, 19–22 March 2026. They describe standout moments from 2025, including being starstruck at meeting Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who discovered radio pulsars in 1967.

The episode provides practical advice to get the most out of the event. Organizers design the programme to cater for all personalities – whether you thrive in lively, social situations, or prefer time to step back and reflect. Either way, CUWiP+ offers opportunities to be inspired and to make meaningful connections.

Hosted by Andrew Glester, the episode highlights how shared experiences and supportive networks can balance the often-solitary nature of studying physics, especially when you feel excluded from the majority group.