Workshop 2026

Workshop on Observational Techniques

Overview

The Stellar Department at ASU, in collaboration with the Stellar Astrophysics Group at the University of Potsdam, is hosting the Sixth International Workshop on Observational Techniques from August 24 until September 4, 2026, at the Ondřejov Observatory.

The workshop consists of lectures and practical exercises. The workshop aims to teach students how to prepare and carry out an observing run, select targets using data mining techniques, and process and analyse photometric and spectroscopic data. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to perform spectroscopic and photometric observations using the Perek telescope in Ondřejov, and how to perform remote observations on the E152 telescope at La Silla Observatory in Chile. Students will develop specialised knowledge in observational astrophysics and have the chance to contribute to current scientific projects centred on white dwarf binaries, A-B type star progenitors, supernovae and the variability of massive hot stars.

The workshop is open to interested students from the Stellar Astrophysics Group at the University of Potsdam in Germany, from the Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics at the Masaryk University in Brno (F9146 Observational techniques – autumn 2026), and from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at the Charles University in Prague (NAST018 Special practicum II).

Registration

For Czech students only: Registration for the workshop should be done by sending an e-mail to workshop2026@stel.asu.cas.cz with the following information:

  • First, middle, and last name,
  • Your gender,
  • University and department,
  • Student status (Bachelor, MSc or PhD student),
  • Level of Linux and IRAF usage knowledge.

The registration deadline is 5 July. After this date, registration will only be possible if there are still free places available.

Because of the workshop’s format and the capacity of the accommodations, the number of participants is limited to 18 students.

Let’s embark on a journey of star observation together!

We look forward to welcoming you to Ondřejov!

Venue

The workshop will take place in the new ASU seminar building, which is located behind the Perek telescope in Ondřejov.

Accommodation

Accommodation in sheared double rooms at the Ondřejov Observatory will be free of charge.

Organisation

Scientific Organising Committee (SOC)

  • Prof. Stephan Geier
  • Dr. Matti Dorsch
  • Dr. Brankica Kubátová
  • Dr. Martin Jelínek

Local Organising Committee (LOC)

  • Dr. Brankica Kubátová
  • Dr. Shilpa Sarkar
  • MSc. Filip Novotny

Lecturers

  • Prof. Stephan Geier (Potsdam University)
  • Dr. Matti Dorsch (Potsdam University)
  • Dr. James Munday (Potsdam University)
  • M.Sc. Harry Dawson (PhD student, Potsdam University)
  • M.Sc. Max Pritzkuleit (PhD student, Potsdam University)
  • M.Sc. Fabian Mattig (PhD student, Potsdam University)
  • Dr. Brankica Kubátová (Astronomical Institute AS CR)
  • Dr. Martin Jelínek (Astronomical Institute AS CR)
  • M.Sc. Filip Novotny (PhD student, Astronomical Institute AS CR)
  • Dr. Petr Škoda (Astronomical Institute AS CR)
  • Dr. Olga Maryeva (Astronomical Institute AS CR)

Observer Support at the Telescopes

  • Dr. Martin Jelínek (Astronomical Institute AS CR)
  • Dr. Miroslav Šlechta (Astronomical Institute AS CR)
  • Jiří Srba (Astronomical Institute AS CR)

Technical support and software installation

  • Roman Veselý (Astronomical Institute AS CR)
  • Jiří Srba (Astronomical Institute AS CR)

Preliminary programme

Monday (24 August 2026)

  • 10:30 – 11:30
    • The Perek 2m telescope tour (Miroslav Šlechta/Jiří Srba)
  • 11:30 – 12:00
    • Welcoming (Stephan Geier & Brankica Kubátová)
    • Overall organisation of the Workshop (Brankica Kubátová)
  • 12:00-14:00
    • Lunch break
  • 14:00 – 19:00
    • Introduction to spectroscopy and photometry (Matti Dorsch)
    • Spectroscopic project on variability of massive hot stars (Brankica Kubátova)
    • Planning an observing run (Max Pritzkuleit)

Tuesday (25 August 2026)

  • 9:00-12:00
    • Spectroscopy project on (Stephan Geier & Matti Dorsch)
    • Photometric variability of binaries, light curve analysis (James Munday & Max Pritzkuleit)
    • Supernova-related photometry project (Martin Jelínek)
    • Data mining with TOPCAT (Max Pritzkuleit)
  • 12:00-14:00
    • Lunch break
  • 14:00 – 18:00
    • Hands-on session: preparing a target list (Harry Dawson & Max Pritzkuleit & Filip Novotny)
  • 18:00-19:30
    • Dinner break
  • 19:30 – …
    • Spectroscopy or/and photometry observation with the Perek 2m telescope (if the weather forecast is favourable)

Wednesday (26 August 2026)

  • 12:00-14:00
    • Lunch break
  • 14:00 – 18:00
    • Introduction to IRAF (Harry Dawson)
    • Data reduction of photometry – General overview (Harry Dawson & Filip Novotní)
    • Hands-on session: reducing photometric images (Harry Dawson & Filip Novotny)
  • 18:00-19:30
    • Dinner break
  • 19:30 – …
    • Spectroscopy or/and photometry observation with the Perek 2m telescope (if the weather forecast is favourable)

Thursday (27 August 2026)

  • 12:00-14:00
    • Lunch break
  • 14:00 – 18:00
    • Data reduction of the Echelle spectra using IRAF (Matti Dorsch)
    • Hands-on session: reducing spectra (Matti Dorsch)
  • 18:00-19:30
    • Dinner break
  • 19:30 – …
  • Spectroscopy or/and photometry observation with the Perek 2m telescope (if the weather forecast is favourable)

Friday (28 August 2026)

  • 12:00-14:00
    • Lunch break
  • 14:00 – 18:00
    • Light curve analyses (Harry Dawson & Max Pritzkuleit)
    • Hands-on session: reducing the Echelle spectra and photometric images with IRAF (Harry Dawson & Filip Novotny)
  • 18:00-19:30
    • Dinner break
  • 19:30 – …
    • Spectroscopy or/and photometry observation with the Perek 2m telescope (if the weather forecast is favourable)

Saturday and Sunday (29-30 August 2026)

  • 19:30 – …
    • Spectroscopy or/and photometry with the Perek 2m telescope (if the weather forecast is favourable)

Monday (31 August 2026)

  • 9:00 – 12:00
    • Work on projects after an introduction to data analysis. Preparation of presentations in which students should describe the data acquisition, reduction, and analysis based on what they have been taught. The presentations should also include a short introduction outlining the main astrophysical concepts involved and a results/conclusions section.
  • 12:00 – 14:00
    • Lunch break
  • 14:00 – 15:00
    • Reduction of spectral data from public archives (Olga Maryeva)
  • 15:00 – 18:00
    • Work on the projects
  • 18:00-19:00
    • Work on the projects

Tuesday (1 September 2026)

  • 9:00 – 12:00
    • Work on projects
  • 12:00 – 14:00
    • Lunch break
  • 14:00 – 15:00
    • TBD
  • 15:00 – 19:00
    • Work on the projects

Wednesday (2 September 2026)

  • 9:00 – 12:00
    • Work on the projects
  • 12:00-14:00
    • Lunch break
  • 14:00-15:00
    • Observatory tour (Jiří Srba)
  • 15:00-19:00
    • Work on the projects or free day

Thursday (3 September 2026)

  • 9:00-12:00
    • Work on the projects
  • 12:00-14:00
    • Lunch break
  • 14:00 – 15:00
    • Stellar Spectroscopy with Virtual Observatory (Petr Škoda)
  • 15:00-19:00
    • Work on the projects

Friday (4 September 2026)

  • 9:00-12:00
    • Presentations of the projects of each group
  • 12:00-14:00
    • Lunch break and getting ready to leave

Coffee breaks will be introduced as needed after agreement with all participants.

Student presentations

  • …

Photo-gallery

  • The workshop photos will be available to view here.

Venue & Travel  information

If you are flying into Prague airport, it would be best to arrange for someone to meet you and take you from the airport to the Institute. This is the best option by far.  A taxi will cost you around 80 EUR. If you prefer to travel by public transport on your own, be prepared to spend another two hours travelling. Take bus 119 outside the airport terminal to Nádraží Veleslavín and change to metro line A. Continue by metro to Háje, change to line C at the Muzeum, and then take bus 383. (timetable).

If you are travelling by car, take exit 21 from the D1 Praha-Brno motorway (in the direction of Benešov). Immediately after the motorway exit, turn into the village of Mirošovice and drive towards Mnichovice. After about 4 km, turn right in Mnichovice towards Ondřejov. At the beginning of the village (by the sawmill) you will see a sign pointing to the left of the Institute.

Ondřejov is served by two ROPID (Prague Local Transport Authority) bus lines. Route 383 (timetable) departs from the Háje station in Prague (the last stop of the metro line C). The journey takes about 60 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the train to Strančice and change to bus no. 490. (25 min; timetable).

Tickets can also be purchased via SMS or the Lítačka mobile app, which can also be used to search for the ideal public transport connection. The application is available for Android and iOS. 

For more information on transport, prices, and connections, please visit http://www.dpp.cz/en/.

Trains from Prague main railway station stop at Strančice from where you can take bus no. 490, or get off at Mirošovice or Senohraby and take a pleasant walk (5 km; follow the tourist signs).

Contact

Please contact the Local Organising Committee at the following email address for any further information: workshop2026@stel.asu.cas.cz.