Sharing good practices and discussing the future of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Coimbra

English version: Diana Taborda

Around 80 researchers from the fields of astronomy and astrophysics are gathered at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC). The goal is to debate issues related to the fields, and not just the research itself that is carried out. "It's important to be in touch with each other more because technology is really expanding thanks to astronomy and astrophysics and we've grown a lot as a result of what technology can do," says FCTUC researcher Nuno Peixinho. The 33rd National Meeting of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ENAA 2023) is an initiative organised by the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA) in collaboration with FCTUC and the Portuguese Astronomical Society (SPA).

"Research cannot survive without universities and funding organisations," added Ricardo Condet, he president of the Portuguese Space Agency (Portugal Space). While presenting some of the challenges and successes, he said he wanted to " expand and strengthen the community". This is an "area of national research with one of the greatest international impacts", says Ricardo Conde, who also considered the national meeting a space for training.

On the third day of the event, the organisation promoted a certified short-term training course that sold out all the available places. "A success", given that primary and secondary school teachers feel the lack of training in this area. Nuno Peixinho guarantees that this initiative will carry on in the future.