(External link) / 23-27.04.2025
From April 23–26, scientists and engineers from the ESA Ariel mission consortium will meet in Tartu, making the city a temporary center for the space mission.
Ariel — the first space telescope dedicated to studying the atmospheres of thousands of exoplanets — will launch in 2029. Researchers at the Tartu Observatory play a key role: they study the host stars of exoplanets to help select targets for Ariel’s observations.
Tartu scientists will also help to create the observing schedule for Ariel. By measuring the precise timing of when exoplanets transit (pass in front of their stars), they ensure the telescope knows exactly when to observe.
During the conference, leading figures in astronomy and space technology will discuss mission preparation, technical challenges, and scientific goals. A public science evening on April 23 will feature NASA scientists David R. Ciardi and Douglas M. Hudgins, who will speak about exoplanet discoveries and the search for habitable worlds.
Picture: ESA
