Girls'Day 2023

On 27 April 2023, the House of Astronomy and the MPIA offer a Girls'Day for schoolgirls from grade 8. The programme lasts from 8:45 to 16:15.

There is the opportunity to get a taste of the technical departments of the MPIA or to learn how astronomers work today at the House of Astronomy.
Please indicate in your application which programme you are interested in.
The day ends in any case with a demonstration in our digital, interactive planetarium.

Astronomers need telescopes to observe stars and other objects in the sky. Telescopes are connected to instruments that allow astronomers to observe very different objects in the sky. These instruments are very special: they contain, for example, optical elements, very precise positioning mechanisms, detectors, and so on. Everything is controlled by special software and electronics, and some have to survive low temperatures. On Girls' Day we will look at different components of such instruments. Using a small demo with liquid nitrogen, we will investigate the properties of different materials at low temperatures and at room temperature. Afterwards, we will control and explore different components to perform various precise measurements. In doing so, we will determine whether the measured mechanisms are suitable for the instruments or not.

Electronics for telescopes
Astronomers use a variety of telescopes to explore the universe. These telescopes have to be able to withstand high loads and still be able to image the distant objects in the universe very accurately. Some of these telescopes are even launched into space! To ensure this, both the mechanics and the electronics installed in these telescopes must be produced very carefully and with extreme precision. At the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, there are therefore several workshops that support the astronomers in the development of new telescopes. On Girls' Day you will get an insight into the highly interesting and demanding work in electronics. You will get to know different components, determine their properties and solder a circuit from them.

Construction and precision engineering workshop
Creation of a computer-aided 3D model for a combined assembly of metal and plastic: After a short introduction to the operation, a virtual model of an assembly is created on a special computer in the design department. This 3D model can then be manufactured later in the precision engineering workshop. A 3D printer will also be used to create the plastic parts.

Electronics
Astronomers use a wide variety of telescopes to explore the universe. These telescopes must be able to withstand high loads and still be able to image the distant objects in the universe very accurately. Some of these telescopes are even launched into space for this purpose! To ensure this, both the mechanics and the electronics installed in these telescopes must be produced very carefully and with extreme precision. At the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy there are therefore several workshops that support the astronomers in the development of new telescopes. On Girls Day you will get an insight into the highly interesting and demanding work in electronics. You will get to know different components, determine their properties and solder a circuit from them.

More about Girls' Day in general can be found on the official homepage: https://www.girls-day.de/