Astronomy Workshop: Students discover the secrets of the stars!

Astronomy Workshop: Students discover the secrets of the stars!

The oldest and largest observatory in the Czech Republic is located in Ondřejov, not far from Prague. Not only are the sun and other stars observed scientifically here, but the observatory also serves as a training site for future astronomers. An outstanding example of this educational initiative is the workshop that took place this September for students from Potsdam and the Czech Republic. The workshop was organized in cooperation between the Stellar Department of the Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, the Stellar Astrophysics Working Group of the University of Potsdam and the Thuringian State Observatory. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supported this event as part of a project-related exchange of people to promote the international exchange of students.

Dr. Brankica Kubátová, head of the Stellar Department, highlights the importance of the workshop. Since 2021, this has offered a platform for students to learn astronomical observation techniques. In total, students from the University of Potsdam as well as Masaryk University in Brno and Charles University in Prague took part. The workshop lasts two weeks and includes both theoretical lectures and practical exercises. An essential part are the observations with the Perek telescope, which has been in operation since 1967 and was recently modernized, as well as remote observations with the PLATOSpec spectrograph in Chile. The latter is used to identify stars that have potential exoplanets.

The Perek telescope and its modernization

The Perek telescope, the largest optical research instrument in the Czech Republic, has a mirror diameter of two meters and a focal length of 64 meters. It was equipped for its scientific importance and as an educational tool. The comprehensive modernization of the telescope, which took place in 2019, deserves special attention. This significant improvement involved a complete change in the optical configuration as well as the removal of smaller mirrors in the original optical system. Optical fibers were installed from the primary focus of the main mirror to the Coudé rooms containing spectrographs, significantly increasing the telescope's efficiency.

Thanks to this modernization, fainter objects can now be observed, greatly increasing the number of observation programs that can be carried out. The Perek Telescope is not only important for the Stellar Physics Department of the Astronomical Institute, but is also used by numerous other institutes and universities, including Charles University in Prague and Masaryk University in Brno. The telescope thus actively contributes to participation in international spectroscopic campaigns and collaborations and plays a central role in the education of students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University as well as international students.

A future-oriented project

The workshop and the associated activities are an important step in the international academic cooperation that the DAAD has been promoting for decades. In 2025, the DAAD will celebrate its 100th anniversary of international academic exchange, which underlines the relevance of such projects. Events like this workshop lay the foundation for a future generation of astronomers who will not only gain theoretical knowledge, but also gain practical experience at one of the region's most important astronomical institutions.

Overall, the project stands as a successful example of the role of education and international collaboration in science, not only educating students but also contributing to the global scientific community. Those interested can find further information on the website University of Potsdam, des Astronomical Institute, as well as the DAAD.