- The Madrid Planetarium celebrates its 40th anniversary with the 'Singularities' lecture series.
- Six free sessions between October 1st and November 5th, at 18:00 PM, with prior reservation required to attend in person.
- Experts from NASA, ESA, CERN, the National Astronomical Observatory and the Center for Astrobiology will discuss exoplanets, gravitational waves, lunar missions, the universe and artificial intelligence.
- The talks can be followed live via streaming and afterwards on the Planetarium's YouTube channel.
The Madrid Planetarium has launched 'Singularities', its autumn lecture series. The initiative also serves to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the municipal center , which is celebrating four decades dedicated to bringing astronomy to the public. The program brings together specialists from various scientific and space institutions to review how the exploration of the cosmos and astronomical research have changed over the last forty years.
The program consists of six free sessions held between October 1st and November 5th. The sessions will take place on October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th, and November 5th, always at 18:00 PM. To attend in person, advance reservations are required, although the sessions can also be followed live via streaming and will be available on the Planetarium's YouTube channel afterward.
A program to review four decades of astronomy
Under the title 'Singularities', the series offers a journey through some of the most significant advances and challenges in recent astronomy and space exploration. Among the topics to be addressed are the search for exoplanets, the detection of gravitational waves, new lunar exploration missions , and investigations into the origin and fate of the universe. These are lines of research that have gained considerable importance in recent decades and allow for a better understanding of the current scientific landscape.
The proposal aims to bring scientific topics, which can sometimes seem distant, closer to the public. Therefore, the talks will combine established discoveries with open lines of research , ranging from the study of rocky worlds outside the solar system to the most recent lunar initiatives. Artificial intelligence will also be featured, concluding the program.
Speakers from NASA, ESA, CERN and other centers
The series will feature specialists from institutions such as NASA, the European Space Agency, the National Astronomical Observatory, the Center for Astrobiology, and CERN , as well as staff from the Madrid Planetarium itself. Confirmed participants include Telmo Fernández, director of the Planetarium; Carlos García-Galán, head of NASA's Lunar Base program; Bruno Altieri, scientist on the ESA's Euclid mission; astrophysicist José A. Caballero; Rafael Bachiller, director of the National Astronomical Observatory; and Álvaro de Rújula, researcher at CERN.
Álvaro de Rújula will close the series on November 5th with a lecture on the workings of artificial intelligence . The diverse range of speakers will allow for discussions on both basic research and specific space missions, while maintaining the educational focus of the program. Admission is free, but those wishing to attend must reserve a place in advance.
How to follow the conferences
The six sessions will be held at 18:00 PM at the Madrid Planetarium. In-person attendance is free, although prior reservation is required for each activity , which can be made starting on the date established for each lecture.
For those unable to attend, all talks will be streamed live. Furthermore, once finished, the recordings will be available on the Madrid Planetarium's YouTube channel , allowing viewers to access the content at their convenience. This approach broadens the reach of a program that, in principle, takes place within the municipal venue.
The commemoration of the Madrid Planetarium's four decades is structured around 'Singularities,' a series of six free lectures that will bring together experts from NASA, ESA, CERN, the National Astronomical Observatory, the Center for Astrobiology, and the Planetarium itself. Between October 1st and November 5th, at 18:00 PM, topics such as exoplanets, gravitational waves, lunar missions, the origin and destiny of the universe, and artificial intelligence will be explored, with the option of attending in person by reservation or following online.