Third international conference of the year focuses on astronomically large amounts of data

From 9 to 13 November 2025, the city of Görlitz will host the 35th annual Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems (ADASS) conference. ADASS has been held at various astronomical institutions around the world since 1991. This year, it is being organised by the German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA) in Görlitz.

New telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKAO) generate unimaginable amounts of data: researchers estimate that the SKAO will generate about one million computers with one terabyte of storage space per day. Storing, transferring and analysing this data in such a short time is practically impossible. Researchers are therefore looking for solutions to distinguish important data from insignificant data and to process only what is absolutely necessary. 

‘Modern astronomy has long been data-driven,’ explains astronomer Stefan Wagner, spokesperson for the Astrophysics Division at the DZA and co-initiator of the project. ‘Every new telescope delivers enormous amounts of data that would be impossible to evaluate without specialised software and efficient analysis methods. This gives rise to methods and technologies that are also used far beyond astronomy – from autonomous driving and smart city applications to artificial intelligence. ADASS is thus an important source of inspiration for both science and society.’ 

International stage of astrophysics 

ADASS is an internationally renowned specialist conference that brings together scientists, software developers and IT specialists from the field of astronomical research in Görlitz. The focus is on current developments in data analysis, software development and system architecture. The approaches and solutions that are indispensable for the collection, reduction, analysis and dissemination of astronomical data – a central field of research at the DZA – play a key role here.

‘With the ADASS conference, Görlitz in the heart of Europe will be elevated to the international stage of astrophysics for the third time this year,’ says Katharina Henjes-Kunst, administrative director of the DZA, emphasising the importance of international conferences for the region. ‘We want to help position Lusatia as a region of innovation and science. Among the more than 1,000 expert participants at all three conferences were not only top researchers, but also multipliers and future employees who will help drive change in Lusatia.’