Since 1967, the observatory in Ondřejov has been home to the country's largest telescope, the Perek telescope, with a mirror diameter of 2 meters and a focal length of 64 meters, which underwent extensive modernization in 2019. “Thanks to its excellent condition, the Perek telescope is involved in various scientific projects. Apart from scientific use, it is also used to educate young astronomers,” explains Dr. Brankica Kubátová, head of the Stellar Department of the Astronomical Institute and the Ondřejov Observatory. As one successful example she cites the observational workshop intended for students from the Czech Republic and Potsdam University which is organized each year in collaboration with Prof. Stephan Geier and his group. “Within the workshop students learn how to prepare and perform observations, as well as how to analyze and interpret observed data. During their stay at the observatory, they have the opportunity to experience the real life of an astronomer”, she says.
The Czech-German workshop on observational techniques has been established in 2021 at the Ondřejov Observatory. Every year, students from the University of Potsdam, the Masaryk University in Brno and the Charles University in Prague come together to study and observe the stars for two weeks. Prof. Stephan Geier, leading the group Stellar Astrophysics at the University of Potsdam, sees the workshop as a unique opportunity for students to perform observations at a professional observatory. “They work on scientific projects conducted by our groups. There is no better way to get an idea of how it feels to work as an observational astronomer.”
The workshop consists of lectures and practical exercises. The altogether 14 participants have the opportunity to perform onsite observations using the Perek telescope in Ondřejov, as well as remote observations with the high-resolution spectrograph PLATOSpec at the European Southern Observatory in La Silla, Chile. The instrument in Chile can be used to detect stars potentially hosting exoplanets by breaking down the received light signal into a color spectrum.
This and last year, the transnational project has been funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The Project-Related Personnel Exchange Program (PPP) provides for short-term research stays for the exchange of university staff from the participating partner institutions. These stays enable young researchers to gain qualifications in an international scientific environment.
University of Potsdam celebrates 100th anniversary of the DAAD
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Link to Workshop 2025: https://stel.asu.cas.cz/en/workshop-2025/
Link to Stellar Astrophysics: https://www.astro.physik.uni-potsdam.de/~stellar/
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Stephan Geier
Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam
Tel.: +49 331 977-230151
E-Mail: sgeieruastro.physik.uni-potsdampde