Unlocking the secrets of rock physics through seismic surveys has earned Curtin University scientist Boris Gurevich a major award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG).

Distinguished Professor Gurevich was presented with the Reginald Fessenden Award, for individuals who have made major contributions to exploration geophysics, such as an invention or a theoretical or conceptual advancement.

The award recognised his work over several decades, which has helped usher in advancements in the exploration and monitoring of underground oil, gas and groundwater resources, and the geological storage of CO₂.

National Science Week runs from August 14 to 22 and, as always, physics is well represented around the nation.

Astrophysicists Professor Alan Duffy and Dr Rebecca Allen, for instance, will be giving guided tours of the universe courtesy of a virtual reality phone app.

Scientist and entertainer Rachel Rayner Science Explainer is gearing up to amuse, inform and entertain with a thrilling exploration of photons and quantum weirdness.

And actor Lauren Gunderson is preparing a stunning bio-play about Eighteenth Century physicist Emilie du Châtelet.

For a full rundown of physics fun head to the National Science Week website here . Make sure you double-check details, though. Lockdown conditions may move some events online.

We’re on the hunt for a beautiful graph or eye-catching laboratory photo to place on the banner of the AIP website through 2022. If you think your work or workplace captures an attractive physics aesthetic, send your image to us at aip@aip.org.au!

We recently merged our website with our membership database. If anyone has any saved links, you may find that they no longer work. Please login and have a look, aip.org.au. Let us know if there is anything missing or that you would like to see! 

There is also a new events page and a news page.

The Australian Physicist, now Australian Physics, has been produced by the AIP since 1964. It is the oldest science magazine in Australia.

Current editors Peter Kappen and David Hoxley are always on the hunt for material to include in forthcoming issues.

To that end, they also invite members to submit: 

• Pitches for articles describing current research;
• Physics-themed cartoons;
• Reviews of physics-themed books (they might even be able to get the book for you!);
• Physics poetry;
• Obituaries of recently passed members.

Proposals and finished items can be sent to aip_editor@aip.org.au

Two physicists are dropping in at schools in Queensland this month to deliver entertaining talks on converting hydrogen into humans and the hunt for new subatomic particles.

Dr Martin Springer, a theoretical physicist from the University of Queensland, will explore the physics of sustainability, and whether the Earth has enough resources to power 10 billion people.

Another University of Queensland physicist, Dr Jacinda Ginges, will explain the fun to be had in searching for new physics beyond the Standard Model.

The scientists – on separate tours – will variously visit schools in Mt Isa, Weipa, Buderim, Brisbane and Toowoomba, with new venues being added as you read this.

For more details head here.

Nominations are open for this year’s Postgraduate Medal, and the Jak Kelly Scholarship Prize. Both are open to physics students in NSW.

Entrants in the medal competition have to deliver a 20-minute presentation about their work, at the AIP’s Annual Postgraduate Awards Day, slated for Tuesday, November 9.

The Jak Kelly Scholarship prize, sponsored by the Royal Society if NSW, will be presented at the same event.

Both awards are worth $500. Nominations close on October 8.

For more details and nomination forms, get in touch with Dr Frederick Osman at fosman@bu.edu.

The AIP and the Astronomical Society of Australia have joined forces to create a new group, focussed on astroparticle physics. For details on how to join – and how to nominate for steering committee positions, should you feel inclined – please go here.

AIP Women in Physics Lecturer,  nuclear physicist Associate Professor Susanna Guatelli, will be very busy this month.

She’s set to deliver talks about her work – which includes how to keep astronauts safe from radiation during the long haul to Mars – in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

To check dates and venues, click here .

Our universe is dominated by the dark side. Dark matter and dark energy have shaped the evolution of the cosmos. But just what is happening in the dark? And how can we be confident that we are not just jumping at shadows?

These important topics come under the spotlight – in a very light-hearted way – during the fifth episode of the online talk show, Zoom into Physics, on Wednesday, August 25, kicking off at 8pm AEST.

Join philosopher Tibor Molnar, experimentalist Kirrily Rule, theoretician Geraint Lewis and moderator Scott Martin as they spend 90 minutes joyfully exploring the Great Unseen.

For more details and the all-important Zoom link, click here .

 https://www.aip.org.au/ZiP/