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SUMMARY:Vatican Observatory Summer School 2027
DTSTART:20270530T170000Z
DTEND:20270625T200000Z
DTSTAMP:20260906T190600Z
UID:indico-event-17756@indico.global
CONTACT:school@specola.va
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: - Paolo Ventura (Chair) - INAF - Observatory of Rome
 \, Italy\, - Robert Macke\, S.J. (Dean) - Vatican Observatory\, - Eric Bel
 l - University of Michigan\, USA\, - Martha Boyer - Space Telescope Scienc
 e Institute\, USA\, - Flavia Dell’Agli - INAF - Observatory of Rome\, It
 aly\, - Devika Kamath - Macquarie University of Sydney\, Australia\, - Mau
 rizio Salaris - INAF - Astrophysics and Space Science Observatory of Bolog
 na\, Italy\n\nThe cosmic legacy of evolved stars\nApplication deadline: 30
  September 2026TOPIC\nThe late stages of stellar evolution stand at the fr
 ontier of modern astrophysics — a domain where extreme physics\, complex
  chemistry\, and transformative processes converge. As stars ascend the re
 d giant and asymptotic giant branches\, shed their outer layers through po
 werful winds\, and blaze through the planetary nebula phase before fading 
 into white dwarfs\, they become pivotal engines of chemical enrichment in 
 their host galaxies\, making them essential to understanding how galaxies 
 assemble across cosmic time. The dawn of a new observational era — defin
 ed by JWST and the Roman Space Telescope — brings both unprecedented opp
 ortunity and urgent demand for researchers deeply fluent in evolved stella
 r physics. Through a curriculum spanning stellar interiors and nucleosynth
 esis\, dust formation and mass loss\, and the use of evolved stars as dist
 ance indicators and population tracers\, participants will develop the phy
 sical intuition and observational toolkit needed to tackle the open questi
 ons at the intersection of stellar evolution\, interstellar chemistry\, an
 d galaxy formation — questions that the next decade of facilities is poi
 sed to answer.\nMAIN THEMES\n- Structure and evolution of low and intermed
 iate mass stars\n- Dust production by evolved stars\n- Stellar populations
  of clusters and galaxies\n- Reconstructing and understanding star formati
 on in galaxies\n- Observation of stellar population of galaxies using grou
 nd-based and space facilities\nEXTRACURRICULARS\nIn addition to an intensi
 ve course of studies\, students will participate in various excursions and
  social activities. The social program is still in development\, but in th
 e past students have visited cultural sites in the area around Rome\, a vi
 sit to the beach\, and enjoyed an audience with the Pope. Furthermore\, pa
 st students have enjoyed sports and movies together\, and celebrated an ev
 ening of sharing the cultural cuisine of their home countries.\nWHO CAN AP
 PLY\nThe school is intended for students from the final year of their unde
 rgraduate studies to the early part of their post-graduate (graduate) stud
 ies (that is\, in preparation for their masters or PhD or equivalent) in a
 stronomy-related fields.\nSelection is based entirely on the background\, 
 interest\, and ability of the student\; the only limit is that we choose o
 nly two students from any one country. Religious faith is not part of the 
 selection criteria. Students of all faiths are encouraged to apply.\nThere
  is no required fee to attend\, and students with financial hardships can 
 apply for support toward their travel and housing costs.\nBecause the wait
  time for visas has increased in recent years\, we have moved the applicat
 ion deadline one month earlier than for previous schools. Please take care
 ful note of the new deadlines:\nApplication deadline: 30 September 2026\nD
 eadline for letters of recommendation: 14 October 2026\nYou can find more 
 details (timetable\, lectures\, photos\,...) here:\nVatican Observatory Su
 mmer School 2027 website\n\nhttps://indico.global/event/17756/
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URL:https://indico.global/event/17756/
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