From August 31 to September 6, the first summer school of radio astronomy took place at the INAF – Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari and the Sardinia Radio Telescope, aimed at 24 students – half from Sardinia and half from Lombardy – who are entering their final year of high school.
“The Radio of the Cosmos,” the name of the event, turned out to be a great success: during the week, the students worked hard, listened to expert lectures, learned to use instruments and take field measurements, and used the large Sardinian radio telescope to “sniff” a bit of radio astronomy and experience the astronomer’s job for a few hours. All while having fun and bonding, showing contagious enthusiasm and a great desire to learn and challenge themselves, as demonstrated in the final presentations they made about the activities carried out during the school: small pearls of synthesis and creativity, presented with great skill and confidence. These are very talented students who will certainly go far and expand the landscape of Italian excellence.
During their well-deserved breaks, the students were able to visit Cagliari, the area around the Sardinia Radio Telescope, and spend some pleasant hours at the beach, turning the school into an opportunity to discover the island’s beauties.
The school concluded with a nice final party, during which the students received various astronomy-themed “souvenirs” to help them remember and carry this experience with them (pictured is a moment from the final party).
The excellent synergy among the organizers was also crucial for the successful outcome of the school, carried out with great professionalism by the Sterrenlab company, with important scientific and logistical collaboration from physicists, astronomers, and technologists from the University of Milan and the INAF – Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari.
It is hoped, of course, that this experience has been valuable for the students who participated, both in terms of what they learned and in terms of awareness regarding the choices they will make for their lives; and, given the success, it is also hoped to repeat the event in the future.