ann24004 — Announcement

2024 Summer AstroCamp applications now open

8 April 2024

Applications for this year’s edition of the Summer AstroCamp are open until 30 April. Organised by the Centre for Astrophysics of the University of Porto (CAUP) with support from ESO, the camp has reached its 13th year and this edition brings an important novelty.

AstroCamp becomes a three-year programme, for which students can apply in the antepenultimate year of their secondary education. In case of satisfactory performance, students will have the opportunity to participate in various remote and in person activities over the subsequent two years.

The camp will be held in a beautiful, protected landscape area in northern Portugal, from 4 to 18 August. It offers secondary school students from a wide range of backgrounds an inspiring experience to learn about astronomy and physics.

During AstroCamp, students will take two courses, each consisting of 21 hours of classes and 4 hours of written exams, taught in English. Details regarding available courses will be communicated to candidates in early May. Practical projects, some of which may extend beyond the camp's duration, will also be included. Furthermore, the camp will feature astronomical observation sessions, both with the naked eye and with telescopes. Additionally, students will have the possibility to engage in remote conversations with astronomers and physicists from various countries. Recreational activities such as hiking, sports, and film sessions are also planned, along with some community service activities.

AstroCamp 2024 will accept applications from students who are citizens of and are studying in one of the 45 eligible countries [1]. Selection of participants will be based on academic merit and potential. The application and selection process will include an interview conducted in English via Skype/Zoom on 25 or 26 May.

Selected Portuguese students will incur no costs for participation. For students from other countries, the estimated participation cost is approximately 400 euro, plus travel expenses to the nearest airport (Porto). The cost covers full-board accommodation, camp activities, internal travel to and from Porto airport, and insurance. These students may ask for support from international partners or local entities by contacting them directly. In particular, ESO will offer the best applicant from one of its member states a bursary covering the camp fee (international travel to Porto airport will not be included).

The 2024 edition’s video presentation, along with additional information and registration, can be accessed on the AstroCamp website.

Notes

[1] Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay.

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The ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre

The ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre is a cooperation between the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS). The building is a donation from the Klaus Tschira Stiftung (KTS), a German foundation, and ESO runs the facility.