Researchers at FRM II have used neutrons to identify a previously unknown species of lizard that appears to have been widespread. The fossil, which is around ten million years old, shows that there were significantly more species at that time than previously thought.

Decades after Robert Oppenheimer first suggested using neutrons to analyse archaeological artefacts, an international conference in Munich organised by the MLZ demonstrates how this non-destructive technique illuminates our understanding of global cultural heritage.

Nuclear energy is set to make crewed space stations on the Moon a reality soon – what sounds like a distant future is currently being researched at FRM II. Aerospace engineer Julius Mercz is developing a reactor concept for the Moon as part of his doctoral thesis, a project that is also funded by the European Space Agency (ESA). We spoke with him about the background of the project.