After a quarter of a century, the largest gathering of Czech astronomers - the Astronomy Festival - will be repeated. The aim of the gathering is one thing. To show how far (not only) Czech astronomy has come, and to take a look - with experts at their word - into the near future.
The festival, which will take place from 1 to 3 October 2024 at the Brno Observatory and Planetarium, is open to everyone: experts and laypeople, science-minded students, stargazers, enthusiastic observers and virtual space travelers. All shows will be broadcast live on the Brno Observatory and Planetarium's YouTube - see www.hvezdarna.cz/af24
"If astronomers thought the 20th century was the golden age of astronomy, then the past two astronomical decades should be balanced by platinum," comments Jiří Dušek, Director of the Brno Observatory and Planetarium. "Whether with regard to fantastic discoveries or incredible observational technology, both border on the world of science fiction. During the Astronomy Festival, our leading astronomers, who are also brilliant and engaging directors, will convince you of just that. Phenomena such as dark matter and hidden energy, black holes, the colourful world of planets and exoplanets, or the increasingly sophisticated space telescopes and interplanetary probes that are roaming the Solar System will be on the agenda."
The first Astronomy Festival took place a quarter of a century ago. In 1999, the Brno Observatory and Planetarium hosted an unprecedented gathering of Czech professional astronomers looking back at the end of the 20th century. Since then, however, almost everything has changed. Modern technologies have not only supplemented, but often rewritten our view of the world beyond planet Earth, and have had a significant impact on our perception of ourselves. These changes are reflected, among other things, in the fact that while the previous festival had to be physically visited, the upcoming one will be accessible remotely, via the internet.
But those who don't make it will get another chance in 25 years!
Astronomy Festival 2024 programme and online broadcasts
Tuesday 1 October
from 13.00 - online transmission
Start
Jan Palouš: International Astronomical Union and the Czech Republic
Michal Bursa: Data Astronomy
Petr Kulhánek: A Quarter Century of Astronomy
Norbert Werner: Are we living another revolution in astrophysics?
from 16.30 - online transmission
Michal Švanda: Current view of the Sun and space weather
Pavel Gabzdyl: The Moon - still the same, yet completely different
Juraj Dudáš: AMBIC and QUVIK - Czech ambitious satellite missions
Wednesday 2 October
from 9.00 - online transmission
Petr Škoda: Will we unlock the secrets of the universe with AI?
Josef Sebera: Why and how do we measure the gravitational field using satellites?
Miloslav Druckmüller: Is it still worth observing total solar eclipses?
Petr Scheirich: Czechs in the DART mission and in the world of asteroids
Pavel Spurný: Bolides and meteorite crashes
from 14.00 - online transmission
Petr Kabáth: Exoplanets, from discovery to Nobel Prize and the search for life
Jana Tichá: NAMES OF HEAVEN or WG-SBN IAU
Miloš Tichý: Behind the comets...
from 16.45 - online transmission
Pavel Suchan: Light pollution - development and challenges
Jiří Podolský: Gravitational waves: a brand new window into the universe
Zdeněk Mikulášek: The Second Breath of Stellar Astronomy
Thursday 3 October
from 9.30 - online transmission
Michael Prouza: What discoveries will new gravitational wave detectors bring?
Sonia Ehlerova: Extremely Large Telescope - Extremely Expected Telescope
Asen Christov: Vera C. Rubin Observatory - status and goals
Jan Ebr: Cosmic rays in the era of the Pierre Auger Observatory
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