The Provincial Council of Almeria has organised at the UNED Almeria headquarters a conference on Calar Alto Observatory, as part of the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its foundation. The Vice-president, Fernando Giménez, the Director of the UNED, José Jesús Gázquez, and the Head of the Astronomy Group at Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory, Jorge Iglesias, have unveiled the details of an event to be held on September 20th and 21st, under the title: ‘Calar Alto: A window to the Universe of Almería’.
The vice-president, Fernando Giménez, explained that this is a “cultural and educational initiative, open to the whole of society, which we are undertaking to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the creation of our Astronomical Observatory, one of the most important in Europe and the world”.
In the same way, he assured that this event is a great opportunity to commemorate this important event that highlights the importance of Almería as a space for research, as well as its environmental characteristics, ideal for observing the universe. Hence one of our most recognised tourist slogans: we have the cleanest sky in Europe. And we are especially excited because the birth of the UNED at national level and the Observatory coincide in time, as the distance learning university has been bringing knowledge closer for 51 years and, with its headquarters in Almeria, for 42 years,” he explained.
Giménez has assured that this conference shows the pride we feel for the Calar Alto Observatory, which places us on the world map of astrophysics: “At the same time, we continue to bring the UNED closer to all citizens, one of the most powerful tools we have to equalise opportunities among Almerians and to fix the population. I encourage everyone to join these days to learn and discover why Almeria is one of the best places on the planet to admire and study the cosmos.
For his part, the director of the UNED was proud to be able to host such an interesting conference to bring the public closer to such an interesting subject as astrophysics and such an exciting place as the observatory.
“We have designed a conference to bring Calar Alto, its importance and outstanding role in research and knowledge throughout its history, closer to the whole society. We will have a round table with the directors that will allow us to bring the knowledge to the city centre”.
He also highlighted the importance of the Provincial Council in ensuring that the educational offer of the largest University in Europe in terms of degrees, masters and students can continue to grow in the province of Almeria.
Jorge Iglesias thanked the Provincial Council and UNED for the facilities they have given us to carry out this event. “On the first day we will bring together all the directors who are still alive to explain what their term of office at the observatory was like. On the following day, we will enjoy two informative conferences that will put Calar Alto in context in the different present and future research lines”.
He also reminded that this event is part of the 50th Anniversary activities of the Observatory, and it will allow to continue spreading the activity developed at the Observatory.
More information about the conference
A Window on the Universe of Almeria’ will be held on 20 and 21 September in the Assembly Hall of the UNED with free registration.
They are aimed at society in general, as they are attractive to researchers, teachers and experts, as well as to astronomy enthusiasts and anyone who wants to know more about the province of Almería.
This event will bring together the leading experts in the observatory, such as its directors since 1973, and the prestigious researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, Yolanda Jiménez and Camila Danielski.
