The “Week of Light” starts with a cosmic program
A series of public events to mark the International Year of Light in Potsdam
From 9 to 13 November the “Wissenschaftsetage” (science floor) of the education center Bildungsforum in Potsdam is fully reflecting the UN proclaimed 2015 International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies. Various types of public events are bringing light into the dark, lighting up the properties of the diffuse universe and opening up fascinating perspectives. In the "Week of Light” pupils can look forward to experiments with lasers and becoming particle astrophysicists for a day.
The “Week of Light” opens with the public exhibition “Windows onto the Universe” from 9 November 2015 to 23 January 2016. It will include fascinating astronomical images from space as well as simulations provided by the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY), the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam, the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics and the University of Potsdam. An introduction to the exhibition will be given at an exclusive preview on 12 November at 7:30 PM, immediately following the lecture “The Diffuse Universe” in the lecture series Potsdamer Köpfe Spezial.
A packed lunch is scheduled for 11 November at 12:30 PM at which there will be a science and dance performance on the subject of the oldest known light of the universe. The lecture series Potsdamer Köpfe Spezial, the packed lunch, the exhibition and exclusive preview are public and can be attended without preregistration.
In addition three interactive pupil seminars are scheduled for the “Week of Light” from 10 to 12 November concerning cosmic radiation, lasers and photons. Pupils can expect to undertake their own experimental research. Weather permitting, it will be possible to record genuine solar spectrums.
The events in the “Week of Light” are a cooperative series given by the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY), the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam, the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics and the University of Potsdam in association with proWissen Potsdam.
Program and further information
9 November 2015 – 23 January 2016 | Mo–Fr 10 AM – 6 PM | Sa 10 AM – 2 PM
Exhibition “Windows onto the Universe”
WIS in the Bildungsforum Potsdam | fourth floor | Am Kanal 47 | 14467 Potsdam
Entrance: free
Tuesday | 10 November 2015 | 9 AM – 11 AM
Pupil seminar | Discovery of the Century: Experiments and Observations With Lasers and Photons
Dr Oliver Henneberg | University of Potsdam (fully booked)
Wednesday | 11 November 2015 | 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
DESY pupil seminar | Pathfinder – Researcher For a Day
Hans-Peter Bretz | German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) (fully booked)
Wednesday | 11 November 2015 | 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Packed lunch | The Oldest Light of the Universe | lecture and performance
Dr Jean-Luc Lehners | Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics and Dr Linda Gieres | freelance choreographer and dancer
Thursday | 12 November 2015 | 9 AM - 11 AM
Pupil seminar | Discovery of the Century: Lasers are Revolutionising our World – The Photonics Century
Prof. Hans-Gerd Löhmannsröben | University of Potsdam (fully booked)
Thursday | 12 November 2015 | 6 PM - 7:15 PM
Potsdamer Köpfe Spezial | The Diffuse Universe | lecture
Prof. Philipp Richter | University of Potsdam
Thursday | 12 November 2015 | 7:15 PM – 9 PM
Exclusive preview | Exhibition Windows onto the Universe
The human eye can only grasp a tiny fraction of the cosmos. The face of the universe changes dramatically when we observe it through different “windows” – from radio waves to visible light, x-rays and beyond. How do we catch neutrinos or spy out gravitational waves? The exhibition introduces exciting astronomical discoveries with fascinating images.
