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Announcements of Upcoming Summer Schools
Notice that this list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but concentrates on summer schools of potential interest to X-ray, gamma-ray, cosmic-ray, and gravitational astrophysicists. The HEASARC also maintains a list of upcoming (mostly high-energy astrophysics) meetings, as well as a list of on-line proceedings of high-energy astrophysics summer schools. Updates, corrections, and/or suggestions about summmer schools should be sent to the HEASARC Help Desk.
High Energy Astrophysics Summer Schools
The 21th Heidelberg Summer School will take place September 14-18, 2026, in the "Mathematikon", more specifically in the Institute for Computer Science, IWR, address "Im Neuenheimer Feld 205" (or "INF 205"), seminar rooms A-C (ground floor).
Application deadline is June 30, 2026, 23:59 CET.
Organization:
IMPRS for Astronomy and Cosmic Physics at the University of Heidelberg (IMPRS-HD):
Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA); Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK); Center for Astronomy of Heidelberg University, ZAH (Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, ARI; Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, ITA; Landessternwarte Koenigstuhl, LSW); and the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS).
Scientific organizing committee:
Michela Mapelli (ITA), Friedrich Roepke (HITS), Fabian Schneider (HITS)
School lecturers:
Floor Brookgaarden (UC San Diego)
Shanika Galaudage (Northwestern University)
Mike Lau (Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies)
Laurent Mahy (Royal Observatory of Belgium)
Pablo Marchant (Ghent University)
Scope of the School:
We are pleased to announce the IMPRS summer school Cosmic Multiplicity: Evolution and Fate of Binary Stars, to be held at Heidelberg University.
Binary and multiple stellar systems are fundamental drivers of modern astrophysics. Their evolution shapes a broad range of astrophysical phenomena, including supernovae, X-ray binaries, compact-object mergers, chemically peculiar stars, and gravitational-wave sources. Understanding the complex interplay between stellar evolution, dynamical interactions, and hydrodynamics in these systems is therefore essential for interpreting observations across the electromagnetic and gravitational-wave spectrum.
This summer school will bring together students and early-career researchers with leading experts in the field to explore the current frontiers of binary and multiple star astrophysics. Particular emphasis will be placed on the connection between observations, theoretical modelling, and numerical simulations, including high-performance computing approaches that are increasingly central to the field.
The school will cover topics including:
- Observations of binary and multiple stars
- Binary and multiple star evolution
- Dynamical phases of binary stars such as stellar mergers and common-envelope events
- Population synthesis of binary and multiple stars
- Gravitational-wave astronomy with binary and multiple stars
The programme will feature dedicated lecture series by leading experts, hands-on sessions introducing modern computational and analysis techniques, and additional topical talks highlighting recent developments in the field. Participants will gain practical experience with numerical tools and computational workflows commonly used in stellar astrophysics and computational astrophysics.
The scientific programme will address key open questions in the field, including:
- How do binary interactions shape the evolution and final fate of stars?
- What physical processes govern common-envelope evolution and stellar mergers?
- How are compact binaries formed and driven to merger?
- What are the progenitors of gravitational-wave events observed by current and future detectors?
- How can large-scale simulations and population synthesis connect theoretical models to observed stellar populations and transient events?
The school aims to provide participants with both a broad overview and practical insight into the theoretical, computational, and observational aspects of stellar multiplicity and its astrophysical consequences.
School format
The school has four main components spread throughout the week
- A series of structured lectures given by the five lecturers.
- Problem-solving sessions based on the topics given in the lectures.
- Presentations by local experts to open specific scientific problems.
- A social program to enable and encourage scientific interaction between students, lecturers and speakers.
Further information / registration
- Here you can find more information about application, directions & accomodation
- Here is a link to the program (coming soon)
- Here is a link to the list of participants (coming soon)
- Please download and distribute the school poster as A2 pdf, or A3 pdf, or A2 jpg, or A3 jpg (coming soon)
For additional questions, please see the conference website.
WE-Heraeus-eas workshop for early career researchers in astronomy:
REGISTRATION is open until 30 May.
HERA 2026 – Black Holes at Different Flavours brings together early career researchers and leading experts to explore the rich and evolving landscape of black hole physics. From theoretical foundations to cutting-edge observations, the workshop creates a space for deep discussion, fresh ideas, and new collaborations.
With speakers including Roger Blandford, Monika Mościbrodzka, Vladimir Karas, Samaya Nissanke, and Marek Abramowicz, participants will have a unique opportunity to engage directly with researchers who shape our understanding of accretion physics, relativistic jets, gravitational waves, and strong-gravity astrophysics.
Join us for a week of scientific intensity, open discussion, and inspiration — where the next generation of black hole research begins.
Note: Up to forty (40) successful applicants will have all stay-related costs, including lodging and living costs, fully covered.
Invited Speakers: TBA
For additional questions, please see the conference website.
Other Astronomy-Related Summer Schools
Transform your research into a compelling story!
There is no science without communication and no successful scientists without good writing and presentation skills. You can do the best science that exists, if you don’t write papers about it – papers that get cited! – and if you don’t give presentations that impress people, your science will likely be ignored. Moreover, if you do not write convincing proposals that appeal to non-specialists, you won’t get observing time, nor the coveted post-doc position and certainly not the very competitive but needed grants to fund your research. Finally, as a scientist, it is your duty and privilege to communicate your science to the general public, policy makers and the media, and like all the rest, this is something that needs to be learned.
As all the other aspects of your research, these are skills that one can learn - there is no magic here! ESO is therefore organising a summer school on how to write and communicate your science.
The one week-long course will allow you to learn how to get your message across in the various supports you need to use as a scientist. At the end of the week, you will be able to write more easily convincing papers and give stunning presentations. Dedicated sessions will further guide you through the process of preparing successful observational proposals, understand the publication landscape and the refereeing process, write professional CVs, and be prepared for a successful career.
Kindly note that because of the very interactive nature of the school, it is only held in person.
For additional questions, please see the school website or email to scientific_writing_26[AT]eso[DOT]org.
The 10th Byurakan International Summer School (10BISS) for Young Astronomers will take place on 7-11 September 2026. This will be the 10th school of the series of Byurakan International Summer Schools (BISS) founded in 2006 and being held once every 2 years, one of the most important and regular astronomical summer/winter schools in the world. According to the analysis of the IAU Division C (Education, Outreach and Heritage), BISS is among the top-3 astronomical schools in the world (together with IAU International School for Young Astronomers (ISYA) and Vatican schools, VOSS), as well as the NEON/OPTICON schools are among the best ones. Various topics are being covered at BISS schools, including astrophysical ones, observations and data reduction, data analysis, surveys and databases, virtual observatories, scientific writing, etc.
This time BISS is entitled "Our Non-Stable Universe", which is also the topic of the International Symposium dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO). During the school the students will have lectures and practical tutorial sessions on Observational Astronomy, Data Reduction and Analysis, Astronomical Surveys, Catalogues, Archives and Databases, Stars and Nebulae, Galaxies and Cosmology, Theoretical Astrophysics, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology, Virtual Observatories and Astroinformatics, Space Astronomy, Exoplanets and Planetary Science, Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Sciences.
Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) is one of the main observational centers of the former Soviet Union and is an important observatory with modern facilities in the region. It was founded in 1946 by the outstanding Armenian scientists V. A. Ambartsumian (1908-1996) and is well known for its large spectroscopic surveys: First and Second Byurakan Surveys (FBS and SBS), undertaken by B. E. Markarian (1913-1985) and colleagues. BAO hosts a number of medium-size optical telescopes, the most important being the 2.6m classical telescope and 1m Schmidt telescope. BAO holds the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS, or the Digitized Markarian survey), containing ~40,000,000 low-dispersion spectra of ~20,000,000 objects, which has been included in UNESCO "Memory of the World" documentary heritage list and which is the basis of the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO), a member of the International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA). BAO and Armenia host the IAU South West and Central Asian Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SWCA ROAD) and support the development of astronomy in Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkey.
BAO is known for important meetings and summer schools. 7 IAU Symposia and Colloquia have been organized here (1966, 1986, 1989, 1998, 2001, 2013, 2023). The European Annual Meeting JENAM was organized by BAO in Yerevan in 2007. The first international meeting on Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence (CETI) was organized in Byurakan in 1971. We have organized UNESCO Regional Conferences "Astronomical Heritage of the Middle East" in 2017 and 2025. BAO-ESO Summer School was organized in 1987. Along with the BISS series, BAO and SWCA ROAD also organize a series of Regional Astronomical Summer Schools (RASS; 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025). Many other meetings and schools have been organized as well.
MSc and PhD students in astronomy and young astronomers are eligible for 10BISS, as well as some BSc students at their later stages may apply. English is the working language of the school, so excellent knowledge of English is required. Along with the lectures and tutorials, Students’ Presentations Session will be available. On the following week of the School, BAO-80 Anniversary Symposium will take place so that the 10BISS participants may also apply to take part in this event.
For additional questions, please see the school website.
This 5-day observational school aims to provide PhD students and early-career researchers with hands-on training in optical follow-up techniques for transient and multi-messenger astronomy. Hosted at the Asiago Observatory, the school will combine lectures with real telescope observations, offering practical experience in planning time-critical observations, operating instruments, and reducing imaging and spectroscopic data. By focusing on rapidly evolving transient phenomena, the school addresses the growing need for skilled observers in the era of wide-field, high-cadence surveys, while promoting equal access to observational training across institutions.
The school will be held in person and is limited to 20 participants to ensure intensive interaction and direct experience at the telescope.
Registration is open until April 30, 2026. There is no registration fee, and limited funding is available. The school will cover local expenses, including lodging, local transportation, and some meals.
The datailed programme will be published soon.
Please note that we are not collaborating with any specific companies to arrange accommodation. Participants should disregards any unsolicited emails offering hotel booking services realted to the school.
Invited speakers :
Marica Branchesi (Gran Sasso Science Institute, Italy); Maria Grazia Bernardini (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Italy); Gabriele Rodeghiero (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Italy); Stefano Ciroi (University of Padua, Italy) ; Antonia Morales Garoffolo (University of Cádiz, Spain); Andrea Reguitti (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Italy); Ferdinando Patat (ESO)
Tutors:
Irene Salmaso (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Italy); Giorgio Valerin (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Italy); Vincenzo Petrecca (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Italy); Luca Crepaldi (University of Padua, Italy)
For additional questions, please see the conference website.