Place, Dates & Organisers	Other Highlights
Place: Coimbra, Portugal Dates: 22 July 2016 to 3 August 2016 Season: summer16 Organised by: BEST Group Coimbra University: University of Coimbra (See University profile in BEST university centre)	Type: BEST Course on Technology Fee: 45.0 euro. Convert to BGN Bulgaria Leva HRK Croatia Kuna CSK Czech Republic Koruna EUR Euro DKK Denmark Kroner EEK Estonia Kroon HUF Hungary Forint ISK Iceland Kronur LVL Latvia Lat LTL Lithuania Litas MKD Macedonia (FYR) Denar NOK Norway Kroner PLZ Poland Zloty RON Romania Leu RSD Serbia Dinar RUR Russia Rubles SKK Slovakia Koruna SEK Sweden Krona CHF Switzerland Francs TRL Turkey Liras UAH Ukraine Hryvna GBP United Kingdom Pounds USD United States Dollars Depending on the country of your university, the amount of fee can be lower. [Read more] Application until: 20 Mar 2016 at 23:00 CET Application deadline has passed.
Academic Highlights
Participation requirements: No prior knowledge required Academic complexity: Basic [Read more] Working time: 36 hours (estimated)

General description

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Modern astronomy has made some astonishing discoveries - how stars burn and how black holes form, has shown galaxies from the edge of the universe and killer rocks right next door. Where the elements come from and how the expanding universe is accelerating. But how do we know all that? The truth is that astronomy would be impossible without technology, and every advance in astronomy is really an advance in technology. But the technology by itself is not enough. We have to apply it with a sense of fun and discovery in order to unlock the secrets of the Universe!

Fun, you say? That's right! Coimbra and Portugal can also offer you sunny beaches, a Mediterranean diet, an awesome culture, and a secular city of students! All provided by the LBG Coimbra, where the "Work Hard, Party Harder" motto is taken very seriously.

What are you waiting for?!

Academic information

• Fields of activity: Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering , Applied Sciences , Computational Sciences , Computer Engineering , Computer Science/Automatic Control/Informatics , Control Engineering/Systems engineering , Electrical/Electromechanical Engineering , Electronic/Electrotechnical Engineering , Machine & Instrument engineering/Design , Mathematics , Mechanical Engineering , Multimedia and Communication Design , Optics/Optometry , Physics/Physics Engineering , Telecommunications/Electronics
• Content and topics:
  • Introduction to the Astronomy theme and associated technology;
  • Brief historical note about Astronomy and instrumentation evolution;
  • Observation and instrumentation of the following topics: Solar/Stars, Solar system, Galaxies, remaining Universe;
  • Cosmology: Universe origin and evolution;
  • Current state of the investigation and European projects;
  • The future of the area;
  Methodology and objectives in the visual exploration of the Cosmos, the vision of Universities and companies, and consequences in another scientific areas. The learning hours will be divided in classes/lectures, company visits, practical exercises, case studies and interactive demonstrations.
• Learning goals and objectives: Participants will learn how it's possible to collect and interpret the big data that opens doors to the possibility of scientific discoveries and to get a better perception of the Universe. The course provides a quantitative introduction to the physics of the solar system, stars, the interstellar medium, the galaxy, and the universe, as determined from a variety of astronomical observations and models. But at the end, have fun!
• Examination type: Group oral presentation about the course subjects.
• Number of ECTS credits issued: Not known yet [Read more]

Information for applicants

• Selection criteria for participants: Motivational Letter where you tell us why are you the BEST candidate, considering your interest in the topic and in the Portuguese culture, your energy to learn and have fun, and originality. Also, answering to the three questions below!

Practical arrangements

All of these are covered by the event fee.

• Lodging during the event: University dorms, or youth hostel. There will be beds (of course!), hot water, and possibly wi-fi (but we prefer human interaction!)
• Food during the event: Breakfast, coffebreaks, hot lunch or hot dinner (or both! It depends on the schedule) are fully guaranteed by the Course Organizers. Some meals at the university canteens. Others made by our chefs!
• Transportation during the event: Bus, foot, car... you know, the usual!

More information

For more information about this event, check out the following links (these links lead to outside this website - if they turn out to be unavailable, please try again later):

• Event website: http://bestcoimbra.wix.com/takemetothestars
• Event schedule: https://goo.gl/vL44zM
• Event survival guide: https://goo.gl/tTM0aD