An exciting insight into the world of astrophysics for 25 girls

During Girls' Day, the MPA offered young girls from the region a varied, interactive programme designed to introduce them to the work carried out at our institute in an enjoyable, accessible way. During the morning, the participants embarked on a journey of discovery through the world of astrophysics, learning about everything from exploding stars to the mysterious dark matter.

The day began with a highlight: the show “Changing Skies” took the girls on a journey through the universe and introduced them to some of the MPA’s research findings. The main programme then comprised several stations covering various aspects of MPA research: large-scale structures, dark matter, galaxies, and stellar evolution. During 'Science Coffee', the girls had the opportunity to discuss current research topics such as the early evolution of galaxies, the role of black holes, and the space mission to orbit the Moon with researchers, partly in English.

This combination of theoretical knowledge, practical computer-based tasks, and personal discussions with scientists presented a lively and inspiring picture of modern astrophysics. The girls were active participants, and for some, this experience may have been the first step towards a career in science.