STARMUS VIII MARKS THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STEPHEN HAWKING MEDAL AND THE INAUGURAL JANE GOODALL EARTH MEDAL
Brian Cox and Christiana Figueres announced as the first 2026 laureates; Andrea Bocelli, Brian May, and Sarah Brightman to headline the October 17 celebration in Tenerife.
Tenerife, Canary Islands – 29 June 2026
Ten years ago today, Tenerife became the meeting place of some of the world's most celebrated scientists, astronauts, Nobel laureates, musicians, and visionaries for a historic moment: the first Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication ceremony and a special edition of STARMUS, Beyond the Horizon: A Tribute to Stephen Hawking. The June 29, 2016 gathering marked the birth of
the Stephen Hawking Medal and brought together Stephen Hawking, Brian Cox, Brian May, Chris Hadfield, Brian Eno, Martin Rees, Rusty Schweickart, and many others in what has become one of the defining moments in the history of science communication.
The Royal Horticultural Society, the UK's gardening charity, has lifted the ban on gnomes at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, to raise funds for the next generation of gardeners.
Celebrities including Sir Brian May, Dame Mary Berry, Baroness Floella Benjamin and Bill Bailey have decorated gnomes which are being auctioned off to raise funds for the RHS’ Campaign for School Gardening, which inspires school children to learn through gardening, boosting pupils’ wellbeing, skills and environmental awareness.
Historically gnomes have been prohibited from the world's leading horticultural event, first excluded from exhibits inside tents in 1927, with the ban later extended to all RHS Chelsea gardens.
Brian gets a dazzling preview of Astronomers Take Over – an interactive space-themed adventure opening at @royalmuseumsgreenwich tomorrow.
And find a stereo box with stunning imagery from Islands In Infinity: Galaxies 3-D and some wise words from Brian.
The book is available to buy from their bookstore or from our online store
Photo: Nicole Ettinger
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