ANSTO

12/10/2026

OPAL is in the spotlight! 📺

We’re excited to share this 9 News Sydney feature celebrating 20 years of achievement at ANSTO and showcasing the passionate people behind our OPAL reactor.

From producing nuclear medicines used in hospitals and clinics across Australia to supporting cutting-edge research, OPAL makes a difference in ways you might not expect. It’s a critical national capability that strengthens Australia’s sovereign capability, fulfils important international commitments and helps drive future prosperity.

Check out the story to see the people, science and national impact behind OPAL.

07/10/2026

🍌 Did you know the humble banana is naturally radioactive?

Before you put down your banana, don't worry. Naturally occurring radiation is all around us, from the ground beneath our feet to some of the foods we eat.

The potassium in bananas contains tiny amounts of naturally occurring radioactive potassium-40. In fact, you'd need to eat around 1,000 bananas to receive about the same radiation dose as a flight from Sydney to New York.

Happy National Banana Day! 🍌
Interested in how radioactive you are? Take our online quiz to learn more about some of the common sources of radioactivity.
Link in comments

01/10/2026

Have you ever wondered what sound looks like?

We've launched this simple at-home STEM activity to help young scientists explore sound waves by creating incredible patterns using vibrations or turning their voice into artworks.

It's hands-on, engaging and a great reminder that science is all around us.

🎵 Suitable for primary aged children. Easy for parents and carers too 😉
🔗 Activity link in the comments.

Sonic Science: Uncover the science behind music as you investigate how sound is created and transmitted. Then combine engineering, creativity and artistic flair to design and build your own musical instruments and discover the musician within.

01/10/2026

☕ Did you enjoy a coffee on International Coffee Day?

Here's something you might not know: nuclear science can help verify the origin and authenticity of coffee.

By analysing naturally occurring isotopes in coffee beans, scientists can gather clues about where coffee was grown, helping support quality assurance and consumer confidence.

Watch this short video from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to learn more. ☕🔬

Did you know that every coffee bean holds a story? Using nuclear te...

01/10/2026

Flying might seem like magic, but it's actually science.

Check out this new at-home STEM activity and explore the science that keeps kites, gliders and aircraft soaring through the sky.

Through hands-on experiments and creative design challenges, young scientists can discover the forces behind flight and test their own flying creations.

🪁 Suitable for primary-aged children.
🔗 Activity link in the comments.

Amazing Aeronautics: Become an aeronautical engineer for the day! Investigate the forces that make objects fly and glide, experiment with different designs, and create your own high-flying invention.

30/09/2026

🌈 Ever wondered how a kaleidoscope creates such incredible patterns?

Explore the fascinating science of light, reflection and colour through this hands-on STEM activity.
Create stunning kaleidoscopes, solve secret coded messages and discover how mirrors can transform light into amazing visual effects.

✨ Suitable for primary-aged children. Fun for big kids too!

🔗 Activity link in the comments.

Magical Mirrors: Explore the magic of light and mirrors as you create stunning kaleidoscopes, solve secret coded messages, and discover the science of reflection. Put your engineering skills to the test by building a light maze or a box that transforms light into a spectacular display of colour.

30/09/2026

Before a computer chip goes to space, we bring space to it. 🚀

See how ANSTO’s ANTARES particle accelerator simulates space radiation to test whether electronics can withstand the extreme environment beyond Earth. 🌍

25/09/2026

Ready to mix science with creativity these school holidays?

The Elements of the 21st Century competition is your chance to turn an element into a mini masterpiece. Choose an element and design a periodic table tile that shows how it helps shape the world around us.

Every element has a story to tell, from making medicines and space technology to powering everyday devices and supporting future innovation. The competition closes on Friday 20 November and is open to primary and secondary school students across Australia, so start exploring and bring an element to life!

Find out more via the link in our comments.

14/09/2026

ABC Illawarra recently visited ANSTO for a behind-the-scenes look at the OPAL reactor and Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, exploring OPAL's 20-year journey and speaking with the experts who help make its work possible.

Ever wondered what happens behind the dense scrub and security fencing at ANSTO at Lucas Heights?

The place is home to Australia's only nuclear reactor.

It doesn't produce any electricity, but if you haven't already benefited in some way from it, you will.

The reactor makes vital nuclear medicine, treats silicon that ends up in things like power grids and electric vehicles and does groundbreaking experiments.

We got a rare chance to have a look at it.

👉Read the full story here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-14/ansto-opal-nuclear-reactor-celebrates-20-years/107132928

08/09/2026

For twenty years, Australia’s OPAL multi-purpose reactor has been producing neutrons for advanced research on materials at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (ACNS).

OPAL is the “neutron factory” for ACNS, producing neutrons for thousands of neutron scattering experiments and research papers on important investigations.

These atomic particles produced by OPAL are guided into scientific instruments, where researchers study the structure of materials, molecules and other substances in extraordinary detail.

In this video, the Director of ACNS, highlights how neutrons from OPAL support the development of new and better materials and devices and much more.

Learn more via the link in the comments.