The Light Project, is bringing Harwell to life with a vibrant calendar of events designed to spark curiosity and wonder for all ages. From awe-inspiring art installations such as the Museum of the Moon by Luke Jerram, to film festivals, hands-on science activities, talks, and tours, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re planning a family day out or want to dive deeper into the science shaping our world, we’ll have something for everyone.

Browse the event listings below to find out more and book your place. We’ll be adding new events and updating regularly – sign up for the Harwellian newsletter to stay up to date.

Harwell scientists also played a key role in building the James Webb Space Telescope. Using infrared light, the telescope can see farther back in time than any previous space telescope, allowing scientists to look through vast clouds of cosmic dust and witness stars forming.

Closer to Earth, satellites developed and supported by scientists at Harwell use multiple wavelengths of light including visible, infrared and ultraviolet to observe our planet from space. By studying changing light patterns, scientists can monitor climate change, track wildfires and flooding, measure pollution levels and better understand how the Earth’s environment is changing over time.

At Diamond Light Source, scientists generate intensely bright beams of light that act as super-powerful microscopes. These X-rays allow researchers to study structures thousands of times smaller than a human hair, helping advance research into viruses, medicines, batteries, fossils and new materials for clean energy technologies.

Meanwhile, the National Quantum Computing Centre is helping to develop the next generation of quantum computers. Some quantum technologies use light to allow multiple quantum operations to run at the same time. Because quantum systems can perform many calculations at once, they could one day solve problems far too complex for today’s computers, such as designing new medicines or improving transport networks.

At the Central Laser Facility, some of the world’s most powerful lasers are being used to tackle challenges on both a molecular and cosmic scale. Researchers use laser technology to support cancer research, investigate how matter behaves under extreme conditions and recreate temperatures similar to those found inside stars.

Scientists at Harwell-based Agilent Technologies are also using laser light in practical ways, developing technologies capable of detecting explosives and hazardous materials with exceptional precision and speed.