Astrophysicists forge scientific plans for the world's largest telescope in Görlitz

Collage der Görlitzer Peterskirche mit Nebeln und dem SKAO-Teleskop
© SKAO/Square Kilometre Array Observatory

From 16th - 20th June 2025, 550 participants will discuss the future of the world's largest radio telescope at an international science conference in the European city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec.

The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) is currently under construction in South Africa and Australia. Germany is involved in the international project consisting of twelve countries and the German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA), which is currently being founded, and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy support the SKAO.

Minister of Science Gemkow and German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA) open conference

"As a close partner of the SKAO, the DZA is a clearly visible sign for Lusatia and Saxony - all over the world. With the DZA, we are part of the world's largest radio telescope that brings technological and digital challenges. We want to solve them here," says Saxony's Minister of Science Sebastian Gemkow.

In addition to important personalities such as Philip Diamond CBE, Director General of the SKA Observatory, and Michael Kramer, the director of the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy MPIfR in Bonn, researchers from Australia, China, India, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Germany are expected in Görlitz – many of them leading astrophysics. The main venue in the city will be the Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theatre in Görlitz.

Astrophysicists from all over the world visiting Görlitz

"This is the most important event for radio astronomers worldwide. Here in the heart of Europe, the future of the largest telescope network that people have ever built is being decided," emphasised Günther Hasinger, designated founding director of the DZA, and Stefan Wagner, professor of astrophysics at Heidelberg University, co-initiator of the DZA and co-organiser of the conference.

 

Zwei Männer lächeln in die Kamera.

 

  • The forward-looking event is entitled "A new era of astrophysics: preparation for the first phase of the scientific use of the SKAO".
  • Conference opening with Saxony's Minister of Science Sebastian Gemkow on Monday, June 16th, from 9:30 a.m.
  • Public lecture with Michael Kramer (Director MPIfR) "Mystery Universe: Explosions, Black Holes and Far Planets" on Tuesday evening (June 17th) at 7:30 PM
  • On Wednesday morning, students build their own radio telescopes in the DZA. They will be directed to the sky on Wednesday afternoon and collect data from the Milky Way.

Generating impulses: German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA)

The German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA) plays a key role in the structural change of Lusatia. It positions the region as an international hotspot of cutting-edge research, creates jobs and will promote innovation with technology research and data science and advance international cooperation.

The conference is organised by SKAO, the German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA) and the Association for Data-Intensive Radio Astronomy (VdR) and is the largest astrophysical conference in Germany for many years.

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