Europlanet 2024 RI’s Expert Exchange Programme aims to support the planetary community to share expertise and best practice, and to prepare new facilities and services. The programme provides funding for short visits (up to one week).
Colin Clarke of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, visited the Travelling Telescope Team in Kenya from 04-14 June 2023.
Image credits: Colin Clarke
During my recent visit as part of the Europlanet Expert Exchange programme, I was closely involved in an array of enriching activities with the Travelling Telescope, contributing meaningfully to their ongoing mission of increasing accessibility to astronomy and science education in Africa. This amazing experience provided me the opportunity to share my skills and expertise while learning and understanding the unique challenges and opportunities the Travelling Telescope encounters in pursuit of its beautiful mission.
The Nairobi Planetarium, a place of learning and intrigue, was one of the first sites where I lent my assistance. I actively participated in several shows, engaging with the audience, sharing insights, and enhancing the overall visitor experience. The sheer joy and wonder on the faces of the attendees was testament to the power of interactive science education, and the impact of the Travelling Telescope’s initiatives.
I partook in the activities relating to the Mobile Planetarium; an inflatable, portable planetarium, bringing the stars to two different schools. Assisting with these shows, I witnessed first-hand the enthusiasm and curiosity kindled in young minds that might not otherwise have had this opportunity. This sparked discussions on further increasing the reach of such initiatives.
This exchange programme also gave me the chance to contribute to the Travelling Telescope’s work in Kibera, the largest slum in Africa. Here, I assisted with the deliverance of Airbus’ Little Engineers robotics programme, demonstrating that the wonders of science and technology are not confined by socio-economic circumstances. Seeing the determination, innovation, and interest shown by the children was a truly humbling and enlightening experience.
Innovation and sustainability are a big part of the Travelling Telescope’s initiatives. I saw this first hand when working on their upcoming project, a mobile outdoor bamboo planetarium. I had the privilege of participating in the design and research related to this project. By solving mathematical problems relating to the construction of geodesic domes and aiding in its conceptualisation, I helped contribute to this eco-friendly and scalable solution, which will enable the Travelling Telescope to reach even more schools.
In addition, I was able to share my knowledge of astronomy at the Travelling Telescope’s SkySchool. Teaching enthusiastic learners, and capturing their engagement in activities such as art and football, provided a unique perspective on how versatile and inclusive the learning of astronomy can be. It showcased the potential of astronomy education to transcend traditional classroom boundaries, fostering critical thinking and a sense of wonder.
The interactions and experiences from this Europlanet Expert Exchange visit have not only been personally fulfilling but I hope have also provided valuable insights into the tremendous impact organisations like the Travelling Telescope are making. Thank you once again to everyone involved for making this possible.
Next Call For Europlanet Expert Exchange Programme
The final call for the Europlanet 2024 RI Expert Exchange Programme closed in January 2024. A new call for Europlanet Expert Exchanges will be launched in 2025.
In dieser Lektion befassen wir uns mit dem pH-Wert bestimmter Umgebungen auf dem Mars und damit, wie sich dies auf seine potenzielle Bewohnbarkeit auswirken kann.
Zur Erinnerung: Lehrernotizen, Präsentationen und alle Inhalte können zur Anpassung und Verwendung in Ihrem Klassenzimmer heruntergeladen werden. Vergessen Sie nur nicht, uns als Quelle anzugeben (siehe “Nutzung der Ressourcen”).
Übersicht
Altersgruppe:
10-14
Benötigte Ausrüstung:
Computer
Projektor
Zeit der Lektion:
45 Minuten (einschließlich 1 Video)
Behandelte Themen:
Chemie (pH)
Biologie (Leben in Extremen)
Astronomie (Mars-Oberflächenbedingungen).
Lernergebnisse:
Gliederung der Aktivität: Verstehen, wie der pH-Wert des Mars die Bewohnbarkeit des Roten Planeten beeinflussen kann.
Nach Abschluss dieser Aktivität können die SchülerInnen:
Verstehen der pH-Skala.
Beschreiben Sie, wie Faktoren auf dem Mars den pH-Wert beeinflussen können.
Diskutieren Sie, wie der pH-Wert die Bewohnbarkeit beeinflusst.
Hintergrundmaterial:
Was ist der pH-Wert?
Aber bevor wir auf die Auswirkungen des pH-Werts eingehen, kann uns jemand erklären, was mit pH-Wert gemeint ist?
(Antworten nehmen)Mit dem pH-Wert messen wir den Säuregrad und die Alkalität. Basen und Säuren werden als chemische Gegensätze betrachtet, da die Wirkung einer Säure darin besteht, die Hydroniumkonzentration (H O3+ ) im Wasser zu erhöhen, während Basen diese Konzentration verringern. Eine Reaktion zwischen wässrigen Lösungen einer Säure und einer Base wird als Neutralisation bezeichnet, wobei eine Lösung aus Wasser und einem Salz entsteht, in der sich das Salz in seine einzelnen Ionen aufspaltet. Wenn die wässrige Lösung mit einem bestimmten gelösten Salz gesättigt ist, fällt jedes weitere Salz aus der Lösung aus.
pH-Skala
Der pH-Wert wird in der Regel anhand der pH-Skala gemessen. Verbindungen mit niedrigem pH-Wert sind sauer, was von einer starken Säure bei pH 1 bis zu einer schwachen Säure bei pH 6 reicht. pH 7 gilt als neutral und ein pH-Wert darüber ist basisch, von pH 8 bis 14.
Diskutieren Sie, wie Ihrer Meinung nach der pH-Wert auf dem Mars sein könnte?
Jetzt, da Sie einige Hintergrundinformationen haben, was würden Sie erwarten, dass der durchschnittliche pH-Wert auf dem Mars ist?
(Antworten nehmen)
Wie können wir den pH-Wert feststellen?
Um dies zu wissen, müssen wir zunächst in der Lage sein, den pH-Wert zu bestimmen. Wie können wir das tun?
(Antworten nehmen)
pH-Skalen sind oft farbig. Dies ist auf die übliche Verwendung einer Lösung zurückzuführen, die Universalindikator genannt wird und zur Anzeige des pH-Werts ihre Farbe ändert. Bei Anwesenheit einer Säure färbt er sich rot, bei neutralem pH-Wert wird die Lösung grün und bei Anwesenheit einer Base tiefblau/violett. Es gibt jedoch auch andere Indikatoren wie Phenolphthalein, das sich in Gegenwart einer Base rosa färbt und bei einer Säure keine Farbänderung zeigt. pH-Indikatoren finden sich sogar häufig in der Küche – wie der Saft eines Rotkohls, der sich in Gegenwart einer Base blau-grün und bei einer Säure rosa färbt.
Video: Erkennung des pH-Wertes
Hier haben wir ein Video, das den Farbwechsel einer Lösung bei Verwendung eines Universalindikators zeigt:
Hintergrundinformationen zum Video: In diesem Video wird eine Lösung von schwach konzentriertem Natriumhydroxid (NaOH) gezeigt. Universalindikatorlösung wird hinzugefügt, die die Lösung violett färbt. Anschließend wird eine 5%ige Essigsäurelösung in Form von handelsüblichem weißem Kochessig zugegeben. Die Lösung mit dem Universalindikator färbt sich rot.
Was ist passiert? Warum?
Bitte diskutieren Sie in Gruppen, was Sie in diesem Video beobachtet haben. Warum, glaubt ihr, ist das passiert?
(Zeit für Gruppendiskussion einplanen)
(Antworten nehmen)
Rio Tinto Fluss
Es gibt auf der Erde Gebiete mit extremen pH-Werten. Ein solcher Ort ist der Fluss Rio Tinto in Spanien. Der pH-Wert des Rio Tinto erreicht in einigen Bereichen des Flusses einen Wert von bis zu 2,3, was zeigt, dass diese Umgebung sehr sauer ist. Dieser niedrige pH-Wert wird durch Wechselwirkungen zwischen Gestein und Mikroorganismen im Fluss verursacht, die als Gesteins-Wasser-Biologie-Wechselwirkungen bekannt sind. Dies führt dazu, dass große Mengen an Verbindungen wie Schwefelsäure, Sulfate und Eisen(III)-Eisen im Flusswasser vorhanden sind. Letzteres verleiht dem Rio Tinto seine charakteristische rote Färbung.
In dieser extremen Umgebung wurden sowohl eukaryotische als auch prokaryotische Organismen beobachtet, die unter den sauren Bedingungen gedeihen. Daher ist der Rio Tinto ein analoges Planetenfeld, das uns Aufschluss über die Aussichten auf Leben in extremen Umgebungen anderswo im Sonnensystem geben kann.
Wie wirkt sich CO2 auf den pH-Wert aus?
Zurück zum Mars: Die Marsatmosphäre besteht hauptsächlich aus Kohlendioxid, und an den Polen des Mars gibt es große Ablagerungen von festem Kohlendioxid.
Welche Auswirkung hat Kohlendioxid Ihrer Meinung nach auf den pH-Wert? Bitte diskutieren Sie in Gruppen.
(Zeit für Gruppendiskussion einplanen)
(Antworten nehmen)
Wenn Kohlendioxid in Wasser gelöst wird, entsteht Kohlensäure, die den pH-Wert auf dem Mars senkt. Kohlensäure ist etwas, dem viele Menschen täglich in Form von kohlensäurehaltigen Getränken begegnen. Wenn Sie jemals einen merkwürdigen Nachgeschmack in kohlensäurehaltigem Wasser bemerkt haben, ist dies auf das Vorhandensein von Kohlensäure zurückzuführen. Einer der Gründe, warum bei der Entwicklung von kohlensäurehaltigen Getränken so viel Zucker verwendet wird, besteht darin, genau diesen Geschmack zu überdecken.
Wie könnte sich dies auf die Bewohnbarkeit auswirken?
Wie würde sich Ihrer Meinung nach das Vorhandensein von Kohlensäure auf die mögliche Bewohnbarkeit des Mars auswirken? Bitte diskutieren Sie in Gruppen.
(Zeit für Gruppendiskussion einplanen)
(Antworten nehmen)
Rückblick
Nach dieser Lektion sollten die Schüler in der Lage sein, diese Fragen zu beantworten:
Was zeigt eine pH-Skala an?
Welche Faktoren auf dem Mars (früher oder heute) könnten den pH-Wert beeinflussen?
Wie könnte sich der pH-Wert auf die Bewohnbarkeit des Mars auswirken?
In dieser Lektion befassen wir uns mit der Entwicklung von Salzschichten und dem Potenzial für ihre Bewohnbarkeit.
Zur Erinnerung: Lehrernotizen, Präsentationen und alle Inhalte können zur Anpassung und Verwendung in Ihrem Klassenzimmer heruntergeladen werden. Vergessen Sie nur nicht, uns als Quelle anzugeben (siehe “Nutzung der Ressourcen”).
Übersicht
Altersgruppe:
10-14
Benötigte Ausrüstung:
Computer
Projektor
Zeit der Lektion:
45 Minuten (einschließlich 1 Video)
Behandelte Themen:
Chemie (Zustände der Materie)
Biologie (Leben in Extremen)
Astronomie (Mars-Oberflächenbedingungen).
Gliederung der Aktivität:
Verstehen Sie die Entstehung von Salzpfannen durch den Mechanismus der Verdunstung.
Lernergebnisse:
Nach Abschluss dieser Aktivität können die SchülerInnen:
Verdunstung kritisch hinterfragen
Die Zustände der Materie verstehen
Beschreiben, wie sich Salzgehalt und Austrocknung die Bewohnbarkeit einer Umgebung beeinflussen.
Hintergrundmaterial:
Verdunstung
Zunächst einmal müssen wir uns mit der Verdunstung befassen. Kann jemand erklären, was mit Verdunstung gemeint ist?
(Antworten nehmen)
Verunstung ist der Prozess, bei dem eine Flüssigkeit von einem flüssigen in einen gasförmigen Zustand übergeht. Dies kann viele Formen annehmen – das häufigste Beispiel ist ein Prozess, der oft als Lufttrocknung bezeichnet wird. Dies geschieht, indem Flüssigkeitsmoleküle an der Oberfläche in einen Dampf übergehen. Ein weiteres Beispiel ist das Sieden, das auftritt, wenn die Temperatur einer Flüssigkeit ihren Siedepunkt überschreitet (im Falle von Wasser ist dies 100 ⁰C). Wenn Wasser die Temperatur von 100 ⁰C überschreitet, wird es zu Dampf. Entgegen der landläufigen Meinung ist Dampf unsichtbar, und die Wolken, die man überkochendem Wasser sieht, sind in Wirklichkeit Wasserdampf, der wieder zu flüssigen Wassertröpfchenkondensiert.
Aggregatzustände der Materie
Wir haben bereits über die Idee der Materiezustände gesprochen, aber kann jemand erklären, was die Materiezustände sind?
(Antworten nehmen)
Ein fester Zustand behält seine Form bei. Seine Moleküle sind viel stärker strukturiert und haben nicht die verfügbare Energie, um sich frei zu bewegen. Bei den meisten Verbindungen ist der feste Zustanddie dichteste Form. Es gibt jedoch Ausnahmen von dieser Regel, z. B. Eis, das eine geringere Dichte hat als flüssiges Wasser. Dies ist auf seine molekulare Struktur als Festkörper zurückzuführen. Wenn eine Verbindung mehr Energie erhält und schmilzt, haben wir die flüssige Form einer Verbindung. Eine Flüssigkeit ist ein Fluid, das heißt, sie kann fließen und die Form ihres Behälters annehmen. Einige Flüssigkeiten können recht instabil sein, sie verdunsten leicht oder benötigen einen hohen Druck, um sich zu bilden, wie z. B. Kohlendioxid. Wenn ein Feststoff wie Kohlendioxid unter normalem Erddruck von einem Feststoff zu einem Gas wird, spricht man von Sublimation. Der letzte Aggregatzustand, der im Rahmen dieser Lektion behandelt wird, ist, wie bereits erwähnt, Gas. Gase sind wie Flüssigkeiten, fließfähig und füllen, je nach ihrer Dichte, den gesamten verfügbaren Raum aus.
MakgadikgadiSalzpfannen und Formation
Auf diesem Foto sehen wir die Makgadikgadi-Salzpfannen in Botswana. Dies ist eine riesige Salzfläche, die für die Erforschung der Mikrobiologie in salzreichen Gebieten sehr wertvoll geworden ist.
Diskutieren Sie, wie diese Umgebung entstanden ist
Diskutieren Sie in Gruppen, wie diese Umgebung entstanden sein könnte.
(Zeit für Gruppendiskussion einplanen)
(Antworten nehmen)
Video: Wie geschieht das?
Hier haben wir ein Video, das zeigt, wie sich eine Umgebung wie die Makgadikgadi-Salzpfannen gebildet haben könnte:
Hintergrundinformationen zum Video: In diesem Video haben wir eine gesättigte Lösung von Natriumchlorid (NaCl). Wenn das Wasser verdunstet, wird die Lösung übersättigt. Bei weiterer Verdampfung wird sie übersättigt und das Natriumchlorid fällt aus der Lösung aus. Das Natriumchlorid hat eine viel höhere Dichte als der Wasserdampf und liegt deutlich unter seinem Schmelzpunkt, geschweige denn unter seinem Siedepunkt. Wenn also das Wasser verdampft, bleiben die dichteren festen Verbindungen wie das Natriumchlorid zurück.
Glaubst du, dass dort Leben überleben kann?
Bitte diskutieren Sie in Gruppen, ob Sie glauben, dass Leben in einer Umgebung mit so hohem Salzgehalt überleben kann.
(Zeit für Gruppendiskussion einplanen)
(Antworten nehmen)
Salz- und austrocknungstolerante Bakterien
Austrocknung (ein Zustand extremer Trockenheit) ist eine häufige Belastung, der Bakterien in der natürlichen Umgebung ausgesetzt sind. Daher haben sie eine Vielzahl von Schutzmechanismen entwickelt, um die durch den Wasserverlust verursachten Schäden abzumildern. Einige Arten haben Mechanismen entwickelt, die entweder dazu beitragen, anfällige Zellbestandteile vor Schäden zu schützen, oder die Wasser sequestrieren, um eine Dehydrierung zu vermeiden. Zu diesen Mechanismen gehören die Veränderung der Membranzusammensetzung oder die Modifikation von Lipopolysacchariden, um die Membranen während des Austrocknens zu stabilisieren, sowie die Anhäufung von kompatiblen gelösten Stoffen wie Trehalose, die Zytoplasma- und Membranbestandteile schützen können. Dies hat einige zu der Annahme veranlasst, dass Leben in extremen Umgebungen wie dem hohen Salzgehalt auf dem Mars überleben könnte.
Rückblick
Nach dieser Lektion sollten die Schüler in der Lage sein, diese Fragen zu beantworten:
Welche verschiedenen Zustände der Materie gibt es?
Können Sie das Konzept der Verdunstung erklären?
Wie könnten Salz und Austrocknung die Bewohnbarkeit des Mars beeinflussen?
Europlanet Joins Swiss Space Area at Fantasy Basel
The space area at the 2024 edition of FANTASY BASEL, the Swiss Comic Con, had an exhibition and hands-on activities led by the Swiss Space Museum and its partners, including the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) PlanetS and colleagues from Europlanet.
This year, we asked again the important question: what do you think a comet smells like? Over the three days, we collected 328 creative responses to this question, and talked to up to 10,000 attendees on the stand overall.
Responses ranged from :
Acacia honey
Fresh rain
A dusty cellar
Dirt mixed with water
Toilet cleaner
Flowers
Urine
A mossy cave
Old socks
Burned rock with caramel
Waste with mint
Incense and sandalwood
Holy somke1
Bergamot
Stone dust
Skunk
Sulfur and rose
Fizzer sweets
My cat after it went under the dusty bed
Out of this world 😉
Vick’s Vapo-Rub
Rotten dust / feet
Menthol
Sandalwood
Foul eggs
Esoteric store
Tiger balm
Chalk
The zoo
and many more!
Many thanks to the organisers for a fantastic event!
Dates:25-28 June 2024 Venue:University of Padua’s Department of Geosciences/Online Programme:Now Available
The EPEC Annual Week is an event that gathers Early Careers from everywhere in the world, where different seminars and workshops foster a healthy, collaborative, and interactive reflection on topics related to academia and the challenges that early careers face. In 2024, for the first time, it will be held as a hybrid meeting to allow all the people interested to join and participate. The school is organised by the Europlanet Early Career network (EPEC) and provides participants with the opportunity to engage with other young researchers.
The EPEC Annual Week takes place in the spring/early summer of each year in a different location around Europe, and this year Italy will be the host country thanks to the participation of the University of Padua.
The EPEC Annual Week is an opportunity for the EPEC community to better get to know each other, to brainstorm on how to further develop the network in terms of the activities of its working groups and to enhance the interaction with members of the Europlanet Executive Board, who will be invited to give talks throughout the week. Furthermore, the school brings together young scientists from all EU countries and provides a networking platform where science discussion and collaboration are stimulated via a series of group activities.
Who can participate
Participants must be Early Careers (either be in their final year of an MSc course or be currently enrolled in a PhD program) in the field of planetary/space science or have obtained their PhD qualification not earlier than 2017. Note that in order to apply to the training school you are NOT required to be a member of EPEC, although this is encouraged.
EPEC Annual Week banner 2024
The 2024 edition of the EPEC Annual Week will take place in Padua, Italy. Sessions and activities related to the meeting will take place at the University of Padua’s Department of Geosciences. The Department is located just 15-20 mins walk from the city center in Via Giovanni Gradenigo 6.
Programme
The programme for this year’s EPEC Annual Week will cover:
Introductions and sessions on:
Planetary science and industry (with a particular focus on Italy)
Successful applicants will be notified via e-mail within two days after the submission deadline. In case of any queries or problems related to the application procedure, please send an email to epec.network@gmail.com, including ‘EPEC Annual Week application’ in the subject.
Guidelines
Reporting Incidents
EPEC aspires to be a safe and respectful community, and will not tolerate harassment, bullying, discrimination or intimidation in any setting (online or face-to-face).
The 2024 edition of the EPEC Annual Week will take place in Padua, Italy. Sessions and activities related to the meeting will take place at the University of Padua’s Department of Geosciences. The Department is located just 15-20 mins walk from the city center in Via Giovanni Gradenigo 6.
How to arrive in Padua
By plane
Padua is easily accessible from nearby airports. Closest airports are Venezia “Marco Polo” airport (VCE), Treviso “Antonio Canova” airport (TSF), Verona “Valerio Catullo” airport (VRN) and Bologna “Guglielmo Marconi” airport (BLQ).
by bus, local buses (E060) departing to the right of the airport exit and arriving at the bus station in Padua (about 1h). Please note that there is no bus service at night.
by private transport, taxi or GoOpti (private or collective) transfer service
by train, with Marconi Express monorail train from the airport to Bologna Stazione Centrale train station and from there with a train to Padua (about 1h 30 mins). Please note that there is no train service at night.
by taxi (about 1h 30 mins).
By train
The train station of Padua has daily direct connections through high-speed trains (Trenitalia and Italo trains) with major Italian cities such as Rome (3h 30 mins), Milan (2h), Naples (about 5h), Florence (about 2h), and of course Venice (Venezia) Mestre (15-30 mins).
The taxi waiting stand is right in front of Padua’s train station.
A luggage storage service is open every day from 6 am to 8 pm next to platform 1.
Hotel info and location
Participants will be accomodated in double rooms with breakfast included at the Hotel “Al Fagiano” located in Padua’s historical city center (Via Antonio Locatelli 45) just a few minutes walk from the Basilica del Santo and Prato della Valle.
How to get from the train station to the hotel and back
Tram stops and numerous bus lines are located close to the hotel. From the Padua train station the easiest option is to take the tram Sir1 in the direction of “Santo” and get off at the “Santo” stop, from there, cross the street and take the 1st street on the right (Via Locatelli) where the hotel is located at n.45. The whole trip takes about 10-15 mins.
How to get from the hotel to the venue and back
The venue is located approximately 25 mins walk from the hotel. Alternatively, you can combine a bus trip and some walking, which will take a similar amount of time.
Possible route from the hotel:
Take Line U13 at “Businello Santo” stop, get off at “Scardeone 2” stop and then walk for 12 mins
Take Line U03 at “Businello 4” stop, get off at “Tommaseo 114” stop and then walk for 5 mins
You can do the reverse journey to come back. All the info about bus lines and stops can be consulted on Google Maps or on the Moovit app.
Moving around Padua
The city of Padua has local buses and trams. Timetables, maps, and information on where to buy tickets are available here
If you prefer an alternative and sustainable way to explore the city there are bike sharing (Mobike, GoodBike) and e-scooters (BIT Mobility, Dott) services. More info is available here
Taxi service is also available 24h (Radio Taxi Padova). Short taxi trips within the city center should cost about 10-20 euros. More info is available here.
Consider also downloading the app Moovit for planning your trip.
About Padua
Padua (Padova, in the Italian language) is located in the center of the Veneto region, close to the lagoon city Venice. Populated since the Roman’s time, Padua is a city rich in history and culture. The city is an UNESCO site for the “Orto Botanico” (Botanical Gardens), which is the oldest in the world, and the “Cappella degli Scrovegni” (Scrovegni Chapel), painted by Giotto in 1305.
Padua is also home to one of the oldest universities in the world and the second oldest university in Italy. Founded in 1222, the University has always played a central role in Astronomical sciences. Many important people visited, taught or studied at Padua: for example Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei. Galileo was a professor at the University of Padua, and during his stay in the city, he discovered the four Moons of Jupiter using his telescope: Io, Europa, Callisto and Ganymede.
In 1671 the University of Padova obtained the permission to build an astronomical observatory. Giuseppe Toaldo, priest and professor of astronomy, identified the Torlonga tower as the perfect place (now called “Specola”). In 1777 Torloga became the first observatory of the University, to which was added those of Asiago in 1942 (Cima Pennar) and in 1972 (Cima Ekar).
Europlanet Transnational Access on Show at ATOMKI-Hosted Workshop
The HUN-REN Nuclear Research Institute (ATOMKI) recently hosted a two-day workshop on Radiation-Driven Chemistry in Astrophysics and Planetary Science. Around 45 international participants attended and discussed developments in astrochemistry and present the latest results of research. The first day finished with a round-table discussion on some of the challenges and opportunities for the astrochemistry community
Several presentations over the two days featured work carried out through the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI) Transnational Access programme in the ATOMKI laboratories.
Find out more about how the ATOMKI facilities have been developed through support from the Europlanet 2024 RI project.
Report from the Radiation-Driven Chemistry in Astrophysics and Planetary Science Workshop
(Reposted in English from the original on the ATOMKI website, with thanks to ATOMKI and the workshop organising committee.)
The HUN-REN Nuclear Research Institute (ATOMKI) recently hosted specialists researching chemical processes in outer space. The aim of the two-day event called Radiation-Driven Chemistry in Astrophysics and Planetary Science Workshop was to review the development directions of astrochemistry and to present the latest results of measurements carried out in the ATOMKI laboratories in the framework of international collaborations.
The starry sky is magical and enchanting. Humanity has been preoccupied with the regularities observed in the movement of celestial objects since its inception. In addition to observing with the naked eye, thanks to the development of technical devices, we first used binoculars and then spectroscopic (spectroscopic) methods to spy on the sky. And the space tools launched into outer space expanded our horizons and our possibilities explosively. Today, many disciplines deal with the study of our remote environment.
Astrophysics – hand in hand with astronomy – deals with the origin, history and structure of the world, the creation of chemical elements, and nuclear physical processes taking place in stars. Nuclear astrophysics research is largely carried out with the help of particle accelerators, where nuclear physics reactions are created, modeling the processes taking place in stars.
Astrochemistry studies the chemical processes taking place in outer space. How do more complex molecules form in the cradles of stars, in these very cold and distant molecular clouds, in the thin layers of ice containing atoms and smaller molecules deposited on the particles of cosmic dust? What chemical transformations take place on the surface and atmosphere of planets, moons, comets, and asteroids?
According to research, it is becoming more and more obvious that cosmic radiation and the high-energy particles emitted by stars, such as photons, ions and electrons, play a decisive role in these chemical processes. Their flow is called the stellar wind or, in the case of the Sun, the solar wind.
With the help of instruments on the ground and in space, we can also determine the chemical composition of very distant celestial bodies and nebulae. Among the hundreds of molecules detected in outer space, you can find the building blocks of living organisms, as well as larger organic molecules. Astrobiology deals with the study of the processes leading to the creation of life.
Molecules in the distant regions of outer space can be identified with the help of space telescopes (such as the James Webb Space Telescope) that use the method of radio astronomy and spectrum analysis in the infrared range (spectroscopy), and thus learn something about the chemical processes taking place there. In the closer places, within the Solar System, the probes of the space missions perform direct sampling and measurements.
However, in order to interpret the data, it is necessary to model the effect of cosmic radiation, the stellar wind, and the solar wind on molecules and thus on chemical processes here on Earth in laboratory conditions. Most of the processes taking place in the Solar System can be modeled with the help of high-energy ions and electrons created by ATOMKI’s particle accelerator equipment, ion and electron sources. Dozens of foreign groups come to the institute every year to take advantage of the facilities offered by the equipment.
With the particle beam, ices of a special composition are irradiated, such as are found on the surface of icy celestial bodies in our Solar System. Chemical changes are followed by infrared spectroscopic methods. In the research in this direction at the institute, the focus of attention is currently on the experimental modeling of the processes taking place on the icy moons of the planet Jupiter. With these experiments, ATOMKI supports the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission of the European Space Agency (ESA).
April 25-26, 2024. The two-day meeting that took place between The majority of the 43 participating researchers came from Europe and America. The cooperating partners reported on the results of their measurements carried out in the laboratories of ATOMKI. The leading researchers of the profession analyzed the directions of the development of astrochemistry and reviewed the opportunities and challenges that arise in relation to astrochemistry in the fields of space research, space industry and climate research. The experts visited ATOMKI’s particle accelerator equipment and laboratories, where research conducted in international cooperation can continue in the future.
This workshop is organised and supported by the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI) project, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 871149.
The first planetary science workshop in Bolivia is underway! The workshop is being held over four days at the Institute for Geological and Environmental Research (Instituto de Investigaciones Geologicas y del Medio Ambiente UMSA) in La Paz, Bolivia. It is part of the Europlanet Workshop Series, organised by the Global Collaboration and Integration Task of the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI) project.
The purpose of the workshop is to provide tools for the processing and mapping of planetary surfaces, exploring different planets and analogous environments in Bolivia and Latin America.
Catch up on YouTube:
This workshop is supported through the Europlanet 2024 RI project, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 871149.
1st Europlanet Planetary Science Workshop in Bolivia 2024
This workshop will be held during 4 days at the Institute for Geological and Environmental Research (Instituto de Investigaciones Geologicas y del Medio Ambiente UMSA) in La Paz, Bolivia. The purpose of the workshop is to provide tools for the processing and mapping of planetary surfaces, exploring different planets and analogous environments in Bolivia and Latin America.
A new call has been launched for the Expert Exchange Programme, funded through Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI), which aims to share expertise and best practice within the planetary community, and to prepare new facilities and services for integration into the RI.
Applications should be made before the next call deadline of 17 January 2024. Visits through this call should take place between 1 February and 15 May 2024.
The programme provides funding for short visits (up to one week).
Objectives for an Europlanet Expert Exchange might be:
To improve infrastructure facilities and services offered to the scientific community by Europlanet 2024 RI laboratories or institutes.
To provide training on theoretical or practical aspects of the laboratory/fieldwork required to plan a future TA application.
To foster cooperation between academia and industry (SMEs).
To support early career professionals to develop skills to use or manage RI facilities or services.
To widen participation from Under-Represented States in RI activities and services.
To support the inclusion of amateur communities in European planetary science campaigns.
To support engagement with wider society e.g. through the involvement of outreach providers, educators, journalists, artists etc.
Supporting UK and Hungarian Industry Collaborations
Two overarching objectives of Europlanet are to foster industry-academic collaboration and to widen participation from under-represented states in Europe and around the world. Last week, there were opportunities to support both these aims at the UK Space Conference in Belfast and an event at the Hungarian Embassy in London.
At the UK Space Conference from 21-23 November, Europlanet shared a stand with the Hungarian Space Cluster (Hunspace). Over the course of the meeting, we met with many members of the UK and international community, in particular with early career researchers. We were particularly delighted to meet and take part in discussion sessions with the space clusters that represent the different space communities across the UK. Plenary sessions featured discussions on exploration of our Solar Sytem and the technical challenges involved.
On Friday 24 November, we were privileged to be hosted by the Hungarian Embassy in London for a meeting of the UK and Hungarian Space Communities. We were welcomed by Orsolya Ferencz, Ministerial Commissioner Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by the Hungarian Ambassador to London, Ferenc Kumin. Nigel Mason (Europlanet 2024 RI Coordinator) and Zsolt Fulop (Chair of the research infrastructure committee in Hungary) kicked off proceedings. Tomas Barzy (Admatis) gave an overview of the Hunspace cluster’s membership, remit and history. Presentations by Hungarian and UK space industry and organisations were followed by a round-table discussion. Many thanks to Gábor Takács-Carvalho and all the team at the Hungarian Embassy for their hospitality.
Full reports on both events will be published soon.
The Europlanet Society participated for the first time in the Space Tech Expo Europe, which took place in Germany (Bremen) between 14-16 November 2023. Attending the event provided an opportunity not only to strengthen the Society’s presence on the European space scene, but also to highlight its commitment to innovation and technological development in the planetary exploration sector.
Europlanet stand at Space Tech Expo Europe. Credit: D MoreauEuroplanet stand at Space Tech Expo Europe. Credit: D MoreauEuroplanet stand at Space Tech Expo Europe. Credit: D Moreau
During the event, Europlanet organized eleven business-to-business sessions, and eighty-one presentations at the stand to share know-how with participants. The Society also took the opportunity to unveil its new sustainability project (Europlanet Association), as well as to showcase its achievements, share knowledge and establish strategic partnerships with other key players in the space industry.
Europlanet’s presence at the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen was a great success, highlighting the society’s continued commitment to planetology exploration, exploitation and space innovation. This participation marks the start of a new era for Europlanet, opening the way to new opportunities, partnerships and achievements in the field of European planetology exploration and beyond.
The workshop is free of charge but places are limited!
Registration
Registration opens on 01/08/2023 and closes on 27/09/2023. It is compulsory and must be accompanied by a letter of interest and a brief curriculum vitae (max 1 page). You will receive via email confirmation of your acceptance. Participation in the workshop includes all coffee and lunch breaks.
Number of participants
35 people will be admitted in-person and up to 100 online.
Language
English or Spanish
Deliverables
Attendees (both in-person and online) will be issued, on request, with a certificate of attendance. The materials of topics presented at the 1st Latin America Planetary Science Workshop – Connecting Earth with other Planets will be available.
The Europlanet Summer School 2023 is being hosted by Vilnius University’s Moletai Astronomical Observatory (MAO) in Lithuania from 8-18 August.
For the first time, the School is taking place in hybrid format, with 20 participants from 10 countries attending on site and up to 30 people following online. The participants include early careers (right the way from high-school to BSc, MSc, PhD and postdoc) and amateur astronomers.
During the School, participants will gain hands-on experience observing with MAO’s 1.65m and 35/51cm-telescopes (weather permitting!) and training in analysing exoplanet transits, stellar spectra, atmospheric parameters and variability data. The programme includes training modules in communication skills and engaging with schools, as well as lectures on space and ground-based observations and machine learning.
Deividas Dudulis (high-school student and astrophotographer), who is participating in the Summer School, will be posting photos here.
Tour of Molėtai Astronomical Observatory 1.65 m telescope. Credit: Deividas DudulisMolėtai Astronomical Observatory 1.65 m telescope. Credit: Deividas DudulisInside dome of Molėtai Astronomical Observatory 1.65 m telescope. Credit: Deividas Dudulis31/51 cm Maksutov-system Molėtai Astronomical Observatory telescope. Credit: Deividas Dudulis
A new call has been launched for the Expert Exchange Programme, funded through Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI), which aims to share expertise and best practice within the planetary community, and to prepare new facilities and services for integration into the RI.
Applications should be made before the next call deadline of 15 June 2023. Visits through this call should take place between 1 August 2023 and 31 January 2024.
The programme provides funding for short visits (up to one week).
Objectives for an Europlanet Expert Exchange might be:
To improve infrastructure facilities and services offered to the scientific community by Europlanet 2024 RI laboratories or institutes.
To provide training on theoretical or practical aspects of the laboratory/fieldwork required to plan a future TA application.
To foster cooperation between academia and industry (SMEs).
To support early career professionals to develop skills to use or manage RI facilities or services.
To widen participation from Under-Represented States in RI activities and services.
To support the inclusion of amateur communities in European planetary science campaigns.
To support engagement with wider society e.g. through the involvement of outreach providers, educators, journalists, artists etc.
Rocks from Space and Planetary Defence Workshop in Morocco
Rocks from Space and Planetary Defence, the third in a Europlanet Series of workshops is taking place this week from 25-28 April 2023 at the Hôtel Club Val d’Anfa in Casablanca, Morocco, and online.
25 students have been taking part on site and a further 33 students have followed the workshop virtually.
Europlanet 2024 RI’s Expert Exchange Programme aims to support the planetary community to share expertise and best practice, and to prepare new facilities and services. The programme provides funding for short visits (up to one week).
Colin Clarke of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, visited Susan Murabana and the Travelling Telescope Team in Kenya from 11 September – 23 October 2022.
The Travelling Telescope is dedicated to promoting science and technology by sharing the wonder of the cosmos with people from all walks of life. The objective of this Expert Exchange project was to provide the Travelling Telescope with assistance from an experienced science communicator, to help the team to grow and reach even more kids and adults.
Colin brought experience in science communication gained at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium and as Secretary of the Trinity Space Society at Trinity college, Dublin. During the visit, he experienced the full range of the work that the Travelling Telescope engages in, and assisted them in every aspect of their enterprise. Throughout the Exchange, he shared his experience in science communication, data science and event organisation, as well as his technical background in astrophotography and stargazing using powerful telescopes.
During the visit, Colin:
Helped with the running of shows in the Nairobi Planetarium, enabling the length of the shows to be increased for the visitors, while the workload for the planetarium operator was halved.
Assisted with the Travelling Telescope’s schools’ programme of night-time stargazing sessions and day time sessions in the inflatable planetarium.
Gave classes on science, astronomy and music at Pembroke House, a British boarding school in Gilgil.
Supported the Travelling Telescope in the lead up, observation, and aftermath of NASA’s DART mission, converting the format of data collected to create time-lapses and enhance its quality in post-processing.
Assisted with the cleaning and installation of 2 spare solar panels at the Nairobi Planetarium
Helped with the repair of the mobile, inflatable planetarium.
Expert Exchange Objectives covered by this visit: Improvement of Facilities and Infrastructure, Training, Widening Participation from Under-Represented States, Inclusion of Amateur Astronomers, Engagement with Wider Society.
Next Call For Europlanet Expert Exchange Programme
The final call for the Europlanet 2024 RI Expert Exchange Programme closed in January 2024. A new call for Europlanet Expert Exchanges will be launched in 2025.
A new call has been launched for the Expert Exchange Programme, funded through Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI), which aims to share expertise and best practice within the planetary community, and to prepare new facilities and services for integration into the RI.
Applications should be made before the next call deadline of 31 March 2023. Visits through this call should take place between 1 May and 31 October 2023.
The programme provides funding for short visits (up to one week).
Objectives for an Europlanet Expert Exchange might be:
To improve infrastructure facilities and services offered to the scientific community by Europlanet 2024 RI laboratories or institutes.
To provide training on theoretical or practical aspects of the laboratory/fieldwork required to plan a future TA application.
To foster cooperation between academia and industry (SMEs).
To support early career professionals to develop skills to use or manage RI facilities or services.
To widen participation from Under-Represented States in RI activities and services.
To support the inclusion of amateur communities in European planetary science campaigns.
To support engagement with wider society e.g. through the involvement of outreach providers, educators, journalists, artists etc.
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In an annual press conference on the year ahead, held on 23 January, ESA’s director-general Josef Aschbacher detailed a spate of technical and political challenges that are severely hampering Europe’s ability to launch satellites and other craft. Among these are the loss of European access to Russia’s Soyuz rockets, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the European responses to it. “That means that as of mid this year, we do not have guaranteed access to space for use of our European launchers, and this is a huge problem for us, for all of us” Aschbacher said.
Vega-C and Ariane 6
In addition to the Russian freeze-out, ESA has suffered several technical launch failures since 2019, Aschbacher reminded the press. Last year, the inaugural flight of the Vega-C rocket went off without a hitch in July, but in December another Vega-C mission ended in failure and the destruction of the launcher after a sudden decrease in pressure, the cause of which is still being investigated.
Aschbacher said the agency was taking “several measures…to make sure we put everything on the management side on track to proceed and advance as quick as we can” with improving European access to space. As well as the work on Vega-C and Ariane 6, he said ESA would support the development of small, mini or micro-European launchers, capable of lofting payloads of up to one ton. ESA is exploring the use of a competition to launch payloads with such launchers, he said. But more generally on the transportation problems, he warned: “We need to really work on this to get back, to guarantee access to space for Europe again.”
The second Europlanet 2024 RI Workshop, “Applications of Earth Observation Satellite Data”, coordinated by the University of Bologna and Italian Cultural Institute (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) was held in Addis Ababa at the Italian Cultural Institute (IIC) in Ethiopia. The event was sponsored by the Italian Space Agency and the National Institute of Astrophysics.
Space is now an objective of strategic importance for African countries. Africa looks to space as a valuable tool for the support, competitiveness and growth of the continent. Africa’s Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 set out its future objectives to transform it into a strong, resilient and influential actor and partner on the global scene, and to have the right to a share of global common goods: land, oceans and space.
Now, the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure project and its Global Collaboration and Integration Development programme coordinated by Prof. Barbara Cavalazzi of the University of Bologna, aim to address the challenge of creating a network for planetary sciences in Africa at a national and international, favoring intra-African relations.
Recently, 38 participants from all over Ethiopia attended an international workshop in person. The attendees were professionals, researchers and PhD students from the Universities of Addis Ababa, Mezan Tepi, Semera, Wollo, Wolkite, Oda Bultum, but also from the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute, the Space Science and Geospatial Institute, the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, the Ethiopian Forest Development, the Ethiopian Roads Administration, all linked by common interests such as Earth observation, use of satellite images and related applications.
Barbara Cavalazzi explains: “The format I chose for this event was to provide high-quality content, examples of applications, and practical workshops for using the software, with kind support from high-profile instructors (Gabriele Bitelli and Francesca Trevisiol, University of Bologna, Patrizia Sacco, Italian Space Agency, Addisu Gezahegn, Addis Ababa University and Gemechu Fanta Garuma, Space Science and Geospatial Institute). In parallel, times for discussion and sessions were organised for the exchange of ideas on research in the field of Earth observation. Interaction between the participants themselves was encouraged, laying the foundations for the formation of a local community of specialists on the subject. And I can say that we have achieved the goal”.
“We are happy to welcome so many participants to this workshop from all over Ethiopia, in conjunction with the National Space Day celebrations,” says Dr. Semen Kumurzhi, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute. “The initiatives promoted are part of the strategy to relaunch our cultural and integrated programme in this country and represent an important moment of dialogue, in particular with a young generation of local scientists and researchers. These activities will help to raise the profile of our country in Ethiopia in a modern and innovative way. It is an excellent example of collaboration between the University of Bologna and the other national organistions (Embassy of Italy, ASI, INAF), whom I sincerely thank. We hope that the results of these projects lead to medium to long-term partnerships, so that we can support the development of space and planetary science in Ethiopia and Africa for years to come.”
“Earth observation through satellite images represents a fundamental tool for the monitoring and management of the territory. The educational programme of the workshop included theoretical lessons supported by practical sessions with open-source software, providing students with the tools to use remote sensing images to support their own research or professional activity. Possible applications, which emerged as priorities from the participants, included the monitoring of agriculture in the context of food security, the prevention of natural disasters, the monitoring of surface water and drought, together with the other environmental problems that climate change is making increasingly evident,” explain Gabriele Bitelli and Francesca Trevisiol at the end of the workshop.
The workshop, which ended on 16 December, coincided with the second National Space Day, during which the “LOOKING BEYOND/Guardare Oltre” satellite image exhibition (curated by F. Maggia) set up at the IIC was inaugurated. The programme was enriched by a series of workshops “Let’s light up the constellations” held by Dr. Federico Di Giacomo of INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Padua, and organized in collaboration with Dr Maura Sandri of INAF and Prof Barbara Cavalazzi, which involved nearly 200 students from the Galileo Galilei Italian school in Addis Ababa.
The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”.The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”.The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”.‘Let’s light up the constellations’ workshop.The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”.The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”.The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”.The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”. IThe second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”.The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”.The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”.‘Let’s light up the constellations’ workshop.The second Europlanet Workshop,”Earth Satellite and Data Analyses”, coordinated by the University of Bologna and Addis Ababa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), was held in Addis Ababa at the Italian Cultural Institute (IIC) in Ethiopia. Schools attended a workshop: “Let’s light up the Constellations”. Credit: INAF/UniBo/IIC/Europlanet.
University of Bologna participation was by Barbara Cavalazzi, Professor in the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, who coordinated the workshop, and Gabriele Bitelli and Francesca Trevisiol, Professor and doctoral student in the Geomatics group of the Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, who participated in the initiative. The event was organised with the support of Europlanet 2024 RI, which received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program (Grant No 871149).
Europlanet 2024 RI has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 871149.
Europlanet AISBL (Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif – 0800.634.634) is hosted by the Department of Planetary Atmospheres of the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Avenue Circulaire 3, B-1180 Brussels, Belgium.
