Sixty Symbols
Sixty Symbols brings physics and astronomy to curious viewers through conversations with University of Nottingham researchers, filmed by Brady Haran and collaborators.
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Latest
Sixty Symbols’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus their backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
YouTube
YouTube
YouTube
YouTubeOverview
- Started
- 2009
- Based at
- University of Nottingham, UK
- Format
- Physics and astronomy conversations with researchers
- Filmmaker
- Brady Haran
- Original idea
- 60 videos, each loosely based on a scientific symbol
Mini bio
How it started.
Sixty Symbols launched in 2009, bringing filmmaker Brady Haran together with researchers at the University of Nottingham. The plan was to make 60 videos, each loosely organised around a scientific symbol. The first explored c, the speed of light.
Finding an audience.
The project followed physics videos on Haran’s Test Tube channel. By July 2013, Sixty Symbols had reached 266,000 subscribers and 21.2 million views. Viewers kept asking for more, and the series grew beyond its original symbols.
Familiar faces, new questions.
The channel pairs recurring researchers with questions from physics and astronomy. Recent guests include Phil Moriarty, Mike Merrifield, Meghan Gray, Ed Copeland, Tony Padilla and Emma Chapman. Their 2026 videos range from dark matter and stellar streams to Star Trek holodecks.
From viewers to classrooms.
In 2019, the team launched Sixty Ideas, a curated collection connecting videos to UK A-level physics topics. In 2016, Haran, Merrifield and Moriarty received the Institute of Physics’ Kelvin Medal and Prize for their public engagement through Sixty Symbols.
Creditschronological, newest first
Video
- 2026Professor Moriarty and the Physics of HolodecksFeaturing Phil Moriarty; video by Brady Haran and James Hennessy
- 2026Marking Exam Done by A.I.Featuring Phil Moriarty; video by Brady Haran and James Hennessy
- 2012Hand back into the Large Hadron ColliderCERN visit; video by Brady Haran
- 2009Speed of LightFeaturing Mike Merrifield and Phil Moriarty
Education
- 2019Sixty IdeasCurated Sixty Symbols videos for A-level physics teaching
Awards
Quotes
Whatever symbol you choose, we hope you'll find something interesting and curious.Sixty Symbols, official project introduction
The team’s welcome to viewers exploring the original collection of scientific symbols.
Trivia
- The original target was exactly 60 videos. The name stayed after the series grew beyond that plan.
- The old website was retired in 2023 and now directs viewers to YouTube for new videos.
- The Sixty Ideas classroom poster was designed by Mike Merrifield and artist Pete McPartlan.
Find Sixty Symbols
Follow their latest conversations about physics and astronomy.
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