Potsdam Day of Science 2024

We are celebrating 150 years of astrophysics on the Telegrafenberg and the impressive milestones: 100 years of the Einstein Tower and 125 years of the Great Refractor. Prof Dr Matthias Steinmetz, Director of the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics (AIP), will give a lecture at 6 p.m. on the development of astrophysics in Potsdam from its beginnings to the latest research technology.

Discover the newly renovated Einstein Tower and discover more about its role in confirming Einstein's theory of relativity. Dutch artist Bernie Gogelein-Austema will hand over an Einstein bust she designed to the AIP. We also offer a children's craft stand at the Einstein Tower.

Visit the Michelson basement and learn more about the interferometer experimentswhich lead to the Nobel Prize for Michelson in 1907 and whose principle is still being used today, e.g. for detecting gravitational waves.

In the dome of AIP's Great Refractor, the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) presents "Einstein's Laboratory". There, astronomy enthusiasts can take a bike ride at the speed of light, listen to gravitational waves and learn about neutron stars and black holes.

The AIP will be showing historical exhibits in the Great Refractor and scientists from the institute will be presenting the fourth largest refracting telescope in the world. In addition, a festive event will take place in the Great Refractor from 3 p.m. at which Science Minister Dr Manja Schüle will present the Brandenburg Science Awards 2024.

Programme:

13:00 - 15:00: Tour of the Great Refractor, exhibition of exhibits and presentation of the telescope by the AIP

13:00 - 15:00: "Einstein's Laboratory" in the Great Refractor (Albert Einstein Institute)

13:00 - 19:00: Tour of the Einstein Tower and children's craft activities

13:00 - 19:00: Michelson interferometer (basement Michelsonhaus)

15:00 - 16:00: Ceremony Science Awards 2024 in the Great Refractor (MWFK)

16:00 - 19:00: Tour of the Great Refractor, exhibition of exhibits and presentation of the telescope by the AIP

16:00 - 19:00: "Einstein's Laboratory" in the Great Refractor (Albert Einstein Institute)

17:00 - 17:30: Presentation of an Einstein bust by the artist Bernie Gogelein-Austema

18:00 - 18:40: Lecture: Prof Dr Steinmetz Matthias - 150 years of astrophysics on the Telegrafenberg - 100 years of the Einstein Tower and 125 years of the Great Refractor (Lecture Hall H)