Northumbria space physicist honoured by Royal Astronomical Society

Dr John Coxon, esteemed member of Northumbria University’s world-leading Solar and Space Physics research group, has been recognised by the Royal Astronomical Society for his work.

Dr Coxon is a Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Ernest Rutherford Fellow at Northumbria University who has garnered international recognition for his research into understanding the Sun's influence on Earth's space environment.

It has today been announced that he has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Fowler Award from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), reflecting Dr Coxon's significant contributions to the field of solar and space physics.

Dr Coxon is a specialist in electric currents which flow between the boundaries of the Earth's magnetic field and the Earth's atmosphere, known as Birkeland currents.

Birkeland currents play a key role in space weather effects on Earth. When the Sun's activity affects the Earth, it is Birkeland currents that relay the effects to the ground, where the impacts can be felt on ground-based infrastructure.

Each year the Royal Astronomical Society recognises significant achievement in the fields of astronomy and geophysics through awards, medals, and prizes, encompassing different types of talent, from research to education and outreach.

The Royal Astronomical Society Fowler Awards are presented annually to individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to astronomy or geophysics.

Speaking about his award, Dr Coxon said: “I’m enormously honoured to have been given the Fowler Award. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the MIST community over my career and I’d like to say thank you to everyone I’ve worked with and who nominated me.”

The Royal Astronomical Society award announcements were made at the A&G Highlights Meeting held on Friday 10 January 2025, including the winners of the 2025 Gold Medals, which recognise lifetime achievement.

Professor Mike Lockwood, president of the Royal Astronomical Society and former Gold Medal winner, said: "Awards are a very important part of the Society’s function: the senior awards recognise a lifetime in science and great discoveries and the junior awards help build careers.

“It gives me great pleasure to see so many talented individuals being rewarded for their hard work, dedication and immense contributions to the fields of astronomy and geophysics.

“All our award winners are an inspiration and it is clear to me that the depth of talent means that  the future of our sciences is incredibly bright.

“I very much look forward to awarding the winners their medals and prizes at this year’s National Astronomy Meeting, when we will celebrate their great achievements.”

Dr Coxon is part of a distinguished group of researchers at Northumbria University, including multiple fellows and award recipients, who are advancing the frontiers of solar and space physics.

Northumbria collaborates extensively with partners including UK Research and Innovation, the UK Space Agency, the UK Met Office, and over 40 other industrial partners on cutting edge solar and space physics research, as well as a multitude of other specialist areas, from satellite communications and space physiology to earth observation and space law and policy.

Last year the University announced ambitious plans to develop a £50 million space skills, research and development centre, set to transform the UK space industry. The North East Space Skills and Technology centre (NESST) is expected to directly support the creation of over 350 jobs and inject over £260 million into the North East economy over the next 30 years, immediately becoming a catalyst for the wider development of the UK space sector in the North East region.

For more information about Dr Coxon's work and the Solar and Space Physics research group at Northumbria, visit the University's Solar and Space Physics webpage.