Probing the Distant Universe with Hubble Space Telescope

Public talk at the Austrian Academy of Sciences on August 24th, 2018 at 7 p.m. by Prof. Dr. Robert Williams - Space Telescope Science Institute & Distinguished Osterbrock Professor - University of California-Santa Cruz

Abstract: In orbit for 28 years Hubble Space Telescope continues to operate at peak performance. Its unique characteristics enable it to study the distant, early universe revealing how physical laws have driven the evolution of the major constituents of the cosmos. We will focus on how deep surveys of the sky have led us to understand how the universe evolved to its current state and what is projected for its future.

Invited Discourses

There will be 3 public talks at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV) by internationally renowned scientists. The conference venue can be accessed freely during those events:

• Marica Branchesi 
  Gran Sasso Science Institute, L'Aquila, Italy
  Wednesday, August 22, 2018 | 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
   
• Lisa Kewley 
  Australian National University, Weston Creek ACT, Australia
  Thursday, August 23, 2018 | 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
   
• Sean Andrews 
  Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, USA
  Monday, August 27, 2018 | 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Vienna University Observatory

During the IAU GA, the historical building of the Vienna University Observatory will be open to interested conference participants. The Observatory harbours, among other treasures, astronomical literature dating back to the 15th-18th centuries and a 27 inch refractor, manufactured by Howard Grubb in Dublin - an instrument that used to be the world's largest refracting telescope for several years. Participation in these guided tours will be upon on-site registration at the conference venue. Note that the University Observatory is located in the 18th district of Vienna at the address: Türkenschanzstrasse 17, 1180 Wien. Our pre-defined guided tours will take place between 8-11 PM on: 

Natural History Museum

As a special offer, the Natural History Museum, harbouring e.g. the world-largest meteorite collection, invites GA 2018 participants and their families to visit this imperial building from the 19th century and its famous exhibitions for half of the regular admission fee (show your badge!). Moreover, from July to September 2018 the NHM will host the ESA/HST exhibition "Our Place in Space", a fusion of HST images with Austrian arts. 

Kuffner Observatory

Escape the heat of the city and relax in the Kuffner-Observatory's shady and cool garden after a long GA day. Admire the authentic and intact 19th century observatory founded in 1884 by Jewish entrepreneur, beer-brewer and mountaineer Moriz von Kuffner. For more Information about the Kuffner Observatory and special excursions like "The Großmugl Milky-Way Express " or "The Starlight Alp" click HERE.

http://kuffner-sternwarte.at 

Public Talks at the Vienna Planetarium

Various public talks will be held at the Zeiss Planetarium in German language.

Planetarium Wien
Oswald Thomas Platz 1
1020 Wien
www.planetarium-wien.at 

Das turbulente Leben von Roten Riesen
21.8. 19:00-20:30
Prof.in Dr.in Susanne Höfner, Department of Physics & Astronomy Uppsala University

Terra-Astronomie: Relevanz historischer Beobachtungen für die Erforschung der Sonnenaktivität
24.8. 19:00-20:30
Dagmar Neuhäuser, Autorin, Prof. Dr. Ralph Neuhäuser, Professor für Astrophysik und Direktor des Astrophysikalischen Instituts und der Universitäts-Sternwarte der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

Faszination der Nano-Staubteilchen im Kosmos
29.8. 19:00-20:30 
Prof.in Dr.in Ingrid Mann, Professorin und Gruppenleiterin Space Physics, Department of Physics and Technology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø

IAU e-Light pollution exhibition and talk

Aug 22 Wed 16:30 - 17:30
(open for public)
Location: MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY , Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria Speaker: Dr. Margarita Metaxa (National Observatory of Athens, Greece) and Dr Constance Walker (National Optical Astronomy Observatory, USA)

Description - The International Astronomical Union will hold an exhibition to show how light pollution affects everyone, as well as its impact on astronomical observations. The event will be introduced by two astronomers who will further explain the science of light pollution and suggest solutions to control it.

Astronomy Youth Day

The “Astronomy Youth Day” will take place on August 31st, 2018, at the IAU 2018 in Vienna. From 9 am to 7 pm, workshops and lectures will be held in German about a variety of astronomical topics and about studying astronomy in Vienna. This is a great opportunity for students between the ages of 16 and 20 to learn about various aspects of modern astronomy and to meet students and scientists from different astronomical areas of expertise. We ask that those who wish to participate send a short registration email with their name, age, experience and, optionally, wishes for workshop topics as well as information about special nutritional needs or food allergies to the following address: iau.ga2018.staff@univie.ac.at. To help cover the cost of food and drink during the workshop day, we ask for a donation of 10€ per participant. Details about this as well as the full schedule will be sent via email after the registration information is received.

The programme contains science slams (09:45 - 12:35) and workshops (13:30 - 15:00 / 16:00 - 17:30):

• 09:00 - Opening
• 09:30 - Introduction and Programme
• 09:45 - History of Astronomy
• 10:05 - Break
• 10:30 - Instrumentation
• 10:55 - Stars/Binaries
• 11:20 - Asteroids
• 11:45 - Simulations
• 12:10 - Extragalactic
• 12:35 - Break
• 13:30 - Workshop 1: How to start a study
            - Workshop 2: Astrobiology
            - Workshop 3: Modeling
            - Workshop 4: Hydrodynamics and their applications
• 16:00 - Workshop 1: How to start a study
            - Workshop 2: Astrobiology
            - Workshop 3: Modeling
            - Workshop 4: Hydrodynamics and their applications
• 17:30 - Award Ceremony and Close

Linz – Kepler Day Trip

Linz is a symbiosis as a city of industry, culture and nature, and an international, contemporary Creative City – surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. We will walk on the steps of Kepler. The protestant council of Upper Austria offered Johannes Kepler a special job in Linz. After the death of Emperor Rudolf II and the death of his wife, Kepler moved from Prague to Linz in 1612. In Linz he wrote revolutionary works. They are milestones of astronomy and mathematics. 400 years ago, Kepler discovered his third law. The residential building in Linz, where he lived at this time, was discovered last year and will be visited. We will walk through the inner city of Linz, enjoy a nice lunch in one of the typical restaurants. Some spare time for walking on your own and then we drive back to Vienna.

Dates: August 19th, 22nd and 28th, 2018
More information and registration HERE

WAA (Wiener Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Astronomie / Vienna Astronomy Association)

Six Stargazing evenings with talks about astronomy and astronomical research. Children and adults are welcome.

With our mobile public observatory, we observe Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, we talk about fields of astronomical research and we explain the tasks of IAU.

Location: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna, in front of the Museum of Natural History
Starting time: 8 p.m.

more information: www.waa.at 

Teacher Training & Astronomy Education

From Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th of August 2018, a teacher training for secondary level teachers will be offered shortly before the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union. During this teacher training, four topics will be introduced in teaser talks by scientists and teachers will work on materials in several workshop sessions. The output of the teacher training should be

• to stay up-to-date in current astrophysical research
• to receive materials which can be used in school education
• to make contact with researchers and research facilities

For more information and registration, click HERE.