On 26th June, the Real Observatorio Astronómico de Madrid was officially recognised as an EPS Historic Site of Physics, joining the European Physical Society’s programme honouring locations that have made outstanding contributions to the development of physics in Europe. The recognition celebrates more than two centuries of scientific achievement in astronomy, geodesy, physics and related disciplines, while highlighting the Observatory’s enduring role in the advancement of scientific knowledge. The designation acknowledges not only the historical importance of the institution but also its continued contribution to modern research. Since its foundation in 1790, the Observatory has been home to generations of scientists, engineers and technical specialists whose work has helped shape both Spanish and European science. Throughout its history, the institution has successfully adapted to changing scientific priorities and technological developments while maintaining its commitment to excellence in research and public service. Speaking during the ceremony, Rafael Bachiller, Director of the Observatory, emphasised that the distinction should be understood as a tribute to the many generations of professionals who have worked there over more than two centuries. He noted that their collective efforts have established the Observatory as an integral part of Spain’s and Europe’s scientific heritage. Left: Standing behind the commemorative plaque (from left to right): Luis Viña, President of the Spanish Royal Society of Physics (RSEF); Laura Barbas, Director General of the Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN); José María de Teresa, President of the European Physical Society (EPS); and Rafael Bachiller, Director of the Real Observatorio Astronómico de Madrid.Middle: Faithful reconstruction of Herschel’s 25-foot (7.6 m) reflecting telescope, which can be seen by visitors at the Real Observatorio Astronómico de Madrid.Right: Observatory staff and other participants gathered in front of the Villanueva Building, the oldest and most prominent building on the campus of the Real Observatorio Astronómico de Madrid. One of the Observatory’s greatest historical treasures is its 25-foot Herschel reflecting telescope. Conceived at the height of the Enlightenment and inspired by the revolutionary designs of William Herschel, it was among the largest and most advanced telescopes in the world at the beginning of the nineteenth century—widely regarded as the second-largest modern reflecting telescope of its time. It symbolised Spain’s determination to participate in the forefront of European astronomical research. Although the original instrument no longer survives, a faithful reconstruction based on the original plans now enables visitors to appreciate the scale and technological sophistication of this remarkable achievement. The Observatory’s history has not been without challenges. It has endured periods of war, political upheaval and profound technological transformation, yet it has consistently preserved its scientific mission. In recent decades, increasing light pollution over Madrid has made traditional optical astronomy increasingly difficult, prompting a strategic transition towards radio astronomy. Today, the Observatory forms, together with the Yebes Observatory, a unified scientific facility within the Spanish National Geographic Institute (Instituto Geográfico Nacional, IGN). Researchers operate major radio telescopes located at Yebes and remotely control additional facilities, including the IRAM 30-m telescope at Pico Veleta. The institution also participates in leading European research infrastructures such as the NOEMA interferometer in the French Alps and the ALMA observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Alongside astronomy, the Observatory maintains internationally recognised activities in volcanology and seismology. The ceremony was presided over by Laura Barbas, Director General of the Spanish National Geographic Institute, who reaffirmed the Institute’s long-standing commitment to the Observatory. Since 1904, the IGN has been responsible for its preservation, scientific development and continued projection as a centre of research and innovation. During the event, Luis Viña, President of the Spanish Royal Society of Physics, reviewed the Observatory’s remarkable scientific history and placed the new designation within the broader context of Spain’s recognised scientific heritage. Before this recognition, only three Spanish sites had received the EPS Historic Site distinction: Observatori Fabra in Barcelona, recognised for its historic contributions to astronomy, meteorology and geophysics; the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid, acknowledged for its unique role as an intellectual centre visited by distinguished scientists including Albert Einstein and Marie Curie; and the Bergara Laboratory, where tungsten was first isolated in 1783. Addressing the audience, José María de Teresa, President of the European Physical Society, noted that the Society has now designated 80 EPS Historic Sites across 26 countries, recognising locations of outstanding importance in the history of physics. Nominations for the distinction are evaluated by the EPS Historic Sites Committee, chaired by Professor Karl Grandin, Director of the Centre for the History of Science at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, who is also responsible for the presentation of the Nobel Prize medals and diplomas during the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. By marking these places with commemorative plaques, the programme aims to increase public awareness of the historical foundations of contemporary science and to safeguard this shared European legacy for future generations. Left: Group photograph of Observatory staff, dignitaries and invited guests beside the commemorative plaque in front of the historic Villanueva Building. Right: The commemorative plaque, unveiled during the designation ceremony, marking the designation of the Real Observatorio Astronómico de Madrid as an EPS Historic Site. Following the speeches, the commemorative plaque was officially unveiled to be installed in a prominent location within the Observatory. Participants were then invited to tour the historic facilities, guided by Director Rafael Bachiller. The visit illustrated the remarkable continuity of scientific endeavour at the site, where visitors can appreciate both the historic astronomical instruments that served earlier generations of researchers and the sophisticated technologies employed by scientists today. The recognition further strengthens the international standing of the Real Observatorio Astronómico de Madrid. It complements other important distinctions already held by the institution. Its iconic Villanueva Building was designated a Bien de Interés Cultural (Cultural Heritage Site) in the category of Monument by Royal Decree 764/1995 of 5 May 1995. Since 25 July 2021, the Real Observatory has also formed part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a Landscape of Arts and Sciences”, widely known as the Landscape of Light. Together, these
The June 2026 issue of e-EPS is out!
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Europe’s Eclipses Trilogy from 2026 to 2028: A three‑year sequence of spectacular solar events
Europe is entering a period of noteworthy astronomical events: three major solar eclipses in three consecutive years (2026, 2027, and 2028.) Each event offers unique viewing opportunities across the continent, from totality over Spain to an annular “ring of fire” visible from Portugal and beyond. Total Solar Eclipse on 12th August 2026 This is the first of the trio. The totality will be visible from Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and parts of Russia. Much of Europe will see a partial eclipse. The European Space Agency (ESA) highlights Spain as one of the prime viewing locations, with the path of totality crossing the country in the evening. You can follow the total solar eclipse with the European Space Agency (ESA), in person or online here. Total Solar Eclipse on 2nd August 2027 Just one year later, Europe experiences another total eclipse, an extremely rare occurrence. The total solar eclipse will be visible from Spain, northern Africa, and the Middle East, with partial visibility across most of Europe. This eclipse, named “the eclipse of the century”, will be one of the longest of the 21st century, with over 6 minutes of totality in parts of Egypt. Annular Solar Eclipse on 26th January 2028 The trilogy concludes with an annular eclipse, where the Moon is too distant to fully cover the Sun, producing the iconic “ring of fire.”ESA confirms that annularity will be visible from Portugal, Spain, and parts of South America, while the rest of Europe will see a partial eclipse. References for Further Reading
La Nuit de la Physique: an international outreach workshop
Activities of the EPS Young Minds – Author: Mia Martín Rodríguez The Spanish association Physics League held an outreach workshop to Paris, titled “La Nuit de la Physique”, in an effort to teach in an interactive and enjoyable way different physical phenomena to Spanish-speaking students in the French capital. Physics League is a non-profit association for physics outreach based in Valladolid, Spain, with over 11 years of experience carrying out activities ranging from conferences and workshops to theatrical plays to bring physics closer to all kinds of audiences. Thanks to collaborating with educational institutions, towns, museums, and other entities, they have been able to help people from all ages and backgrounds enjoy learning physics. On February 13th, 2026, they travelled to Paris to create a space to bring together Spanish-speaking researchers and students through a fun yet educational activity, “La Nuit de la Physique”. Funded by EPS Young Minds, OPTICA, and the SIEF (Sociedad de Investigadores Españoles en Francia), and hosted at the Colegio de España, the event targeted students from both STEM and non-STEM backgrounds across various career stages. Through simple yet educational demonstrations covering Optics, Electromagnetism, Mechanics, and Thermodynamics, the workshop illustrated common physical phenomena in our daily lives. Ultimately, “La Nuit de la Physique” serves as a prime example of how physics outreach can simultaneously engage the general public while offering an opportunity for networking and professional growth. By transforming complex concepts into accessible, interactive experiences, the event fulfilled Physics League’s mission of making physics enjoyable for audiences of all backgrounds. Moreover, the event’s significance extended further, providing a unique space for Spanish-speaking researchers and students in Paris, Physics League members, and residents of the Colegio de España to connect. In essence, “La Nuit de la Physique” proved that outreach can effectively merge education with professional networking, creating a lasting impact for both the local community and Physics League’s members.
Alessandro Volta Prize: Second edition
The European Physical Society, in collaboration with Gruppo Acinque., is pleased to announce the second edition of the Alessandro Volta Prize, established on the bicentenary of Alessandro Volta’s death. The prize honours outstanding achievements in physics and celebrates the lasting impact of scientific innovation on society. Named after the inventor of the electric battery, the Alessandro Volta Prize recognizes groundbreaking contributions across all areas of physics, from theoretical research and instrumentation to technological and industrial applications. The prize may be awarded to an individual scientist or to a group of up to three researchers. Winners will receive a €10,000 award, a medal, and a diploma. The call for nominations for the second edition will open on 30 May 2026 and close on 30 October 2026. The award ceremony will take place in Como, Volta’s hometown, and will be organized by Acinque. The ceremony will be accompanied by an international symposium dedicated to the scientific fields of the awardees organized by EPS. The prize winners will be announced during the EPS Council meeting in 2027. “The Alessandro Volta Prize reflects our shared commitment to celebrating scientific excellence and increasing public awareness of the role of physics in driving societal progress,” said José María de Teresa, President of EPS. The award also reflects Acinque’s strong local roots and its commitment to creating cultural and scientific value in the communities where it operates. “Alessandro Volta is a central figure in the history of physics and chemistry,” said Matteo Barbera, President of Acinque. “His work placed Como firmly on the global map of scientific excellence. The 2027 celebrations will represent an important opportunity for both cultural promotion and economic impact.” “Acinque plays an active role in the energy transition,” added Stefano Cetti, CEO of Acinque. “Strategic partnerships with universities and research institutes are essential to fostering innovation and developing technologies focused on renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable growth, and the responsible use of resources.” Further details on the nomination process will be available through the official communication channels of EPS and Acinque. For further information, including application guidelines and updates, please visit: • www.eps.org/ • www.gruppoacinque.it About the European Physical Society (EPS) The European Physical Society is a well-established organization with a long-standing tradition of promoting physics in Europe and facilitating collaboration among physicists. It functions as a federation of national societies and as a learned society for individual members, with a dual mission: to promote scientific excellence and influence science policy. The Society’s goal is to contribute to advancing physics in Europe and neighboring countries by all appropriate means. In particular, it provides a forum for discussion on topics of common interest and offers tools to take action on issues requiring attention at the international level. About Acinque S.p.A. Acinque is the leading multi-utility company in the areas of Como, Lecco, Monza, Sondrio, and Varese, with operations also in the provinces of Udine and Venice. The company was formed through the merger of well-established local entities, and A2A is its reference shareholder and industrial partner. Acinque operates in electricity and gas sales, energy production, district heating and waste-to-energy, water and gas distribution, and energy solutions, guided by circular economy principles and sustainability. The Group is committed to fostering opportunities for growth and innovation in the energy sector by building networks with local stakeholders, universities, and the research community, focused on optimizing consumption and protecting the environment. Media Contacts European Physical Society (EPS) Anne C. Pawsey, Secretary General of the European Physical Society 6, rue des Frères Lumière 68200 Mulhouse, France +33 3 89 32 94 41 anne.pawsey@eps.org Acinque S.p. A. Gian Pietro Elli giampietro.elli@acinque.it +39 335 5800630
Alessandro Volta Prize 2026: Call for nominations
Nominations are now open for the Alessandro Volta Prize, a European Physical Society [EPS] prize. The award, intended to promote excellence in research, will be given in recognition of outstanding research and achievements in physics. The Alessandro Volta Prize is given to individuals or groups of up to three people. The award includes a diploma, a medal, and €10,000 in prize money. The Prize was established in 2025 by Acinque S.p.A. and the EPS. This new initiative builds upon the legacy of the former EPS Edison Volta Prize that was awarded for the first time in 2012. The Prize Selection Committee is composed of: · The EPS President · An EPS Division or Group Chair · An EPS Honorary Member · A representative of an EPS Associate Member institution · One member, who is a scientist, representing Acinque Nominations for the Alessandro Volta 2026 should include: · personal details about the nominee(s), including biographical statements · citations highlighting the work of the nominee(s) · up to three statements of support from individuals who are familiar with the work. To apply, please complete this form. The deadline for nominations is 30 October 2026. For more information, in particular to read the Prize Charter, and for the detailed procedure for nominations, please visit the European Physical Society webpage: https://eps.org/what-we-do/distinctions/alessandro-volta-prize/
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European Physical Society Council Convenes in Vilnius for Joint Meeting with EPS Young Minds
The Council of the European Physical Society (EPS) held its spring meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 15–16 May 2026. The meeting was hosted by the Lithuanian Physical Society in collaboration with the University of Vilnius at the National Centre for Natural and Technological Sciences and brought together representatives of national physical societies, alongside delegates from EPS Divisions, Groups, and Journals. The gathering marked a significant milestone for the Society: for the first time, the EPS Council meeting was held in parallel with the EPS Young Minds Leadership Meeting. This joint meeting was supported by GoVilnius and was attended by delegates from 25 different countries. The two events intersected through joint sessions and a joint dinner, fostering dialogue between the Society’s established leadership and the next generation of European physicists — a reflection of EPS’s commitment to nurturing scientific talent across the continent. Council delegates attended the Young Minds poster session where the sections present their highlights of the previous year and compete for the Young Minds Best Activity Award. The 2025 Award was won by the YM Cairo Section, for their activity Zewail City Marathon. The Vilnius meeting also marked a moment of transition. The EPS Presidency passed from Prof. Mairi Sakellariadou to Prof. José María de Teresa. During the Council sessions, attendees received updates on the work of the Committee for European Integration and heard reports on the activities and development of the EPS Journals. The meeting also featured a panel session examining the impact of the present geopolitical climate on physics, reflecting the wider concern within the scientific community about how shifting global dynamics are affecting research, collaboration, and funding across Europe and beyond. A highlight of the meeting was the announcement of this year’s Alessandro Volta Prize, which has been awarded to Professor Jean Dalibard in recognition of his outstanding contributions to physics. Dr Matteo Barbera, President of Acinque, extended a personal invitation to all attendees to join the award ceremony and accompanying symposium, to be held in Como, It. Image credit: Arzunik Gevorgyan (left) and Ugnius Bagdonavičius / Vilnius University (middle & right)
The CERN Council decided to update the European Strategy for Particle Physics
Budapest, 22 May 2026. Today, following more than two years of intense work of the European particle physics community under the auspices of the European Strategy Group, the CERN Council updated the European Strategy for Particle Physics, which sets out an ambitious scientific vision for the field. The 2026 Strategy update offers a clear path to maintain European leadership in high-energy physics while attracting global collaboration to CERN, advancing technology and bringing many potential benefits to society. The recommendations address a broad range of topics and goals relating to research in high-energy physics in Europe and beyond. The aim of this Strategy update, initiated in March 2024, was for the particle physics community to develop a concrete plan for greatly advancing knowledge in fundamental physics through the construction of a new flagship project at CERN. Following extensive consultation among particle physicists in Europe and beyond, and the consideration of more than 260 written submissions, the Strategy recommendations were submitted to the CERN Council in December 2025 [December Press Release]. Furthering our understanding of the Higgs boson has been a driving force behind the planning for the long-term future of particle physics. The discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012 marked the beginning of a new era in particle physics. It confirmed a spectacular prediction of the Standard Model of particle physics and provided a radical new tool to explore outstanding mysteries about the content, structure and evolution of the Universe. The Strategy recommendations confirmed that the full exploitation of the scientific potential of the LHC through the completion of its high-luminosity upgrades remains the highest medium-term priority for European particle physics. For the longer term, the electron–positron Future Circular Collider (FCC-ee) was recommended as the preferred option for the next flagship project at CERN, thereby maintaining Europe’s leadership in the field. The FCC-ee would offer the broadest exploratory programme in fundamental physics, with outstanding discovery potential. It would provide a visionary physics programme addressing many of the open questions in particle physics, notably about the Higgs boson, that are critical to understanding the foundations of the Standard Model and opening up opportunities for discovering new physics beyond the Standard Model. At the same time, the FCC-ee would drive the development of new technologies and train thousands of early-career scientists, engineers and technicians. The 2026 update of the European Strategy builds on the previous update in 2020, which had already emphasised the importance of ensuring Europe’s continued scientific and technological leadership, and recommended an electron-positron “Higgs factory” as the highest-priority next facility after the LHC reaches the end of its operational lifetime in 2041[Press Release]. Based on the 2020 Strategy update, CERN and international partners conducted a feasibility study for a possible Future Circular Collider that was published in March 2025 [Press Release] and reviewed by the CERN Council in November 2025 [Press Release]. In addition to updating the Strategy, the Council has invited the CERN Management to initiate discussions with the relevant authorities and entities in the Member and Associate Member States, as well as non-Member States and the European Union, with a view to developing a financially feasible funding plan for the possible FCC-ee project. In the next two years, the CERN Management will provide annual reports on the implementation of the Strategy update and the necessary information to support national decision-making processes so that the Council will be in a position, by 2028, to take a decision on the FCC-ee, taking into account elements such as the scientific, technical and financial feasibility of the project, as well as results from the public consultation exercises in CERN’s Host States, France and Switzerland. “The high-energy physics community and the CERN Council have been united for this critical update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics, and the FCC-ee has emerged as the preferred flagship project to maintain CERN’s world-leading role in collider physics and technology in the decades to come,” said Costas Fountas, Council President. “I wish the CERN Management the greatest success in implementing the Council resolution between now and the 2028 target decision date .” “The European Strategy reiterates the critical importance of the High-Luminosity LHC, which will use advanced accelerator and detector technologies to fully exploit the scientific potential of this incredible machine in the coming years,” said Mark Thomson, CERN Director-General. “Beyond HiLumi LHC, the FCC-ee would be a visionary global research infrastructure for the next decades that will deepen our knowledge of the fundamental building blocks of the Universe through ultra-precise measurements of the Higgs boson and other elementary particles. CERN’s task now is to steer this unprecedented project towards a decision by the CERN Council.” “The Strategy process has seen a very strong engagement of the particle physics community and has led to a very clear conclusion: the FCC-ee, if approved, would deliver the world’s broadest high-precision particle physics programme, its technical feasibility has been demonstrated by the comprehensive FCC Feasibility Study and its scope and cost are well defined,” said Karl Jakobs, Strategy Secretary. “It would also pave the way for a possible future hadron collider reusing the tunnel and much of the infrastructure, providing direct discovery reach well beyond the 10 TeV parton energy scale.”
European Physical Society Announces 2026 Distinctions and Awards
The European Physical Society (EPS) is proud to announce its 2026 distinctions and awards, recognising outstanding contributions to physics across all career stages. The distinctions were announced at the EPS Council meeting held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 15–16 May 2026. Also announced during the meeting was the 2025 Alessandro Volta Prize. EPS Honorary Member The EPS Council elects individuals whose exceptional achievements in physics, in research, industry and/or education merit recognition as an EPS Honorary Member. The council meeting of 2026 awarded honorary membership to Luisa Cifarelli. Luisa Cifarelli has been awarded Honorary Membership of the European Physical Society in recognition of her remarkable career spanning five decades of scientific achievement and exceptional service to the international physics community. Her contributions range from significant discoveries in hadron structure at the CERN Intersecting Storage Rings to pioneering work on proton structure at DESY and CERN, and most recently a leadership role in the ALICE experiment at the LHC. She was the driving force behind the Extreme Energy Events project, which brings cosmic ray research into high schools across Italy. She has served the physics community with distinction as President of the Italian Physical Society (2008–2019) and of the EPS (2011–2013), and as a member of the APS Board of Directors. She was previously recognised with the EPS Gero Thomas Medal. EPS Fellows EPS Fellowship recognises exceptional contributions to physics in research, industry, education, or service to the European Physical Society (EPS). Limited to 5% of EPS members, Fellows are nominated by there peers and approved by the Council based on demonstrated impact in their field. In 2026 the following were admitted as EPS Fellows. IFW Dresden, Dresden, Germany “For his numerous contributions to condensed matter physics, pioneering the control of the third dimension in nanostructures, and for his outstanding commitment to EPS activities and support of the broader European physics community.” Institute for Nuclear Research (Atomki), Debrecen, Hungary “For pioneering contributions to nuclear astrophysics and sustained, influential service to the European and international physics community.” EPS Early Career Prize The EPS Early Career Prize regonises acheivements in theoretical or experimental physics and is awarded to “Early Career” scientists in the first 6 years after the award of their PhD. The 2026 Prize is awarded to: University of Manchester, Manchester, UK “For pioneering contributions to the development of new experimental platforms at the intersection of ultracold atom physics and levitated optomechanics to study many-body dynamics and macroscopic quantum phenomena.”