A new era in
astrophysics:
Preparing for early science
with the SKAO
We are pleased to announce the 2025 SKAO General Science Meeting, A new era in Astrophysics: Preparing for early science with the SKAO, to be held in the week 16-20 June in the beautiful town of Görlitz, Germany. Taking place just two years before the SKA telescopes will be tested on the first community-chosen targets, the meeting will bring together scientists from across the globe to discuss and collaborate on the cutting-edge science opportunities that the Observatory will provide in its early years of operations. Online participation will be supported for the whole week for those unable to attend in person.
The meeting will include three days of plenary sessions, plus one and a half days of parallel sessions organised to maximise collaborative discussion between scientists. Presentations from the community will preview early SKAO science, while special Observing with the SKAO sessions will share detailed telescope capabilities, operational policies and observer tools for planning SKAO observations. We particularly encourage the participation of early career scientists, who will be the major users of the SKA telescopes.
Görlitz itself will soon be home to the brand new German Centre for Astrophysics (Deutsches Zentrum für Astrophysik; DZA), a brand new large-scale research centre that will enable top-level astronomical research, the processing of gigantic data streams from next-generation telescopes such as the SKAO’s, and the development of novel technology. We are proud to partner with both the DZA and the Association for Data-Intensive Radio Astronomy (VdR) to bring this exciting event to our community.
Look out for further information very soon.
We are pleased to invite you to submit proposals for presentations highlighting exciting early SKA science. Find out how to submit your abstract here:
ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS
Görlitz
Görlitz is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the east German state of Saxony. Located right on the Neisse river, which forms the border with Poland, it is Germany's easternmost town and headquarters of the DZA.
Görlitz is renowned for its architectural treasures spanning different eras. The setting of the old town has led to it featuring as a backdrop to many well-known films - so much so that it now has the nickname 'Görli-wood'.
Right on the edge of eastern Germany, Görlitz has good connections into Poland and Czech Republic, as well as a local rail line to Dresden.
Important dates
Abstract submission opens: 13 December 2024
Registration opens: 10 January 2025
Abstract submission closes: 7 February 2025
Speaker notification: Mid-March 2025
In-person registration (reduced rate) closes: 31 March 2025
In-person registration closes: 15 May 2025
Online registration closes: 15th June 2025
The SKAO is proud to co-host the meeting with our German partners, DZA and VdR. Together, we aim to foster innovation and collaboration that drives the astronomical community forward.
German Centre for Astrophysics | Deutsches Zentrum für Astrophysik (DZA)
Görlitz is soon to be the location for the German Center for Astrophysics (Deutsches Zentrum für Astrophysik, DZA), a brand new large-scale research centre that will enable top-level astronomical research, the processing of gigantic data streams from next-generation telescopes such as the SKAO, and the development of novel technology. The DZA will also conduct research using the Low Seismic Lab to be built in the granite of Lusatia nearby: an ideal interference-free environment for studying gravitational waves. Find out more about the DZA here
Association for Data-Intensive Radio Astronomy | Verein für datenintensive Radioastronomie (VdR)
The extensive and complex amounts of data from the new generation of radio telescopes require the development of novel information technologies. The Association for Data-Intensive Radio Astronomy (Verein für date intensive Radioastronomie, VdR) coordinates and supports the scientific, technical and organizational aspects for the development, construction and networking of the data infrastructure required for the use of data-intensive radio telescopes. The association represents the interests of the universities and research institutions involved nationally and internationally. Find out more about the VdR here
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Events Organising Committee
Catherine Gresty, SKAO
Daniela Eckstein, DZA
Philippa Hartley, SKAO
Katharina Henjes-Kunst, DESY; DZA
Mark Jeavons, SKAO
Sarah Lamb, SKAO
Debra Turley, SKAO
Viola Tegethoff, MPIfR; VdR
Wendy Williams, SKAO
Scientific Organising Committee
Nicola Bellomo, Univ. of Padova
Shari Breen, SKAO
Neeraj Gupta, IUCAA
Philippa Hartley, SKAO
Bhal Chandra Joshi, NCRA-TIFR
Michael Kramer, MPIfR
Joseph Lazio, JPL
Katie Mulrey, Radboud Univ.
Jack Radcliffe, Univ. of Pretoria
Eva Schinnerer, MPIA
Rohit Sharma, IIT
Marta Spinelli, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur
Fatemeh Tabatabaei, IPM (IAC/MPIA/MPIfR)
Viola Tegethoff, MPIfR; VdR
Cath Trott, ICRAR
Jacco van Loon, Keele Univ.
Tessa Vernstrom, CSIRO
Stefan Wagner, DZA; Univ. of Heidelberg
Ke Wang, Peking Univ.
Wendy Williams, SKAO
Patrick Woudt, IDIA