Swedish astronomers met in Kiruna

Credit: Magnus Gålfalk, Garrelt Mellema & Magnus Näslund.

A large fraction of Sweden's astronomers gathered for a conference, the Astronomers' Days, in Kiruna 21-23/9. The participants came from several different places, from Denmark in the South to Kiruna in the North. The program included short research presentations and excursions to Esrange and the Bengt Hultqvist Observatory. Two important topics that were discussed, were the future and development of Swedish astronomy as well as astronomy education, both on university level but also how to teach the subject in Swedish schools. Furthermore, astronomy activities for the public were discussed, in particular suitable strategies and structures for the upcoming International Year of Astronomy 2009.

Astronomdagarna is a biannual event and will next time be hosted by Stockholm Observatory, probably in June 2009.