Public Outreach

The Institute of Astrophysics organises a number of outreach events in collaboration with public and private stakeholders mostly in Crete, while its members are offering their time giving lectures and participating in various PO activities all over Greece. These are advertised by the press and the social media and more readily in the Facebook page of the Institute. Some past events are also listed at the end this page.

• Open Days at Skinakas Observatory
  One of the main activities which is taking place since 1996 during the summer months are the open days at Skinakas Observatory. During those days the observatory is open to the public  in order to offer the opportunity to the visitors to become familiar with the wonders of the night sky, as well as be informed on the recent advances in astrophysics and space technology. The people who reach the observatory are introduced to the operation of facility by our staff who also answer general astronomy questions. After sunset and if the weather conditions are good, the visitors are also able to observe the night sky using small telescopes as well as through the 1.3m telescope using an eyepiece.
  Some pictures from past open days are available in the gallery of IA. 
  More details on the exact dates of the open days for the current year are available in the dedicated section of Skinakas Observatory web page.

• Upcoming PO Events

  • Parade of the Planets: Stargazing nights in Heraklion with portable telescopes, Heraklion Walls, Jesus Bastion, March 8 and 9, 2025

• Past PO Events

  • Observing the Sun at the city centre of Heraklion, HelioPhysics Big Year, 23-24 November 2024

  • Award event for Dr. Maria Eleftheriou with the creative teaching award "Eureka! Eureka " 2024, Vikelaia Municipal Library of Heraklion, 15 November 2024

  •  World Space Week, Voutes - Heraklion, 25 October 2024

  •  Researcher's Night, Voutes - Heraklion, 27 September 2024

  • "Walls Festival - Travel at the sky of day and night", Heraklion 8 September 2024

  • Shadow Theatre "Karagiozis the Archaeoastronomer", Anogeia, 18 August 2024
  • "Exhibition and 1st astrophotography contest, Shepherd's Land, Anogeia, 1-11 August 2024
  • "Stargazing at the Shepherd's Land", Anogeia, 20 August 2024
  • Participation of the institute, in the framework of the "Dspace" project under the auspices of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.), in the Festival of the University of Crete for the study and protection of the natural environment, on Saturday 29 June 2024, in Nofalia, Lassithi
  • "Traveling to the stars!", event of the institute in collaboration with the 7th Kindergarten of Ioannina, in the framework of the "Dspace" project under the auspices of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.), Ioannina, April 13, 2024

  • "40 years FORTH: Measuring the time through the celestial clock", a PO event of the Institute at the Municipality of Heraklion Vikelea Library, December 15, 2023

  • Award event for Mrs. Sevasti Malamou with the creative teaching award "Eureka! Eureka" 2023, Heraklion Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2 December 2023

  • "Puzzle Festival 2023", participation of the Institute of Astrophysics (Department of Public Outreach) with a collaboration of the "PAGKRITION" school in the framework of the project "Dspace" sponsored by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.), Kastellorizo 20-22 October, 2023

  • "Exploring the Sun with a Solar Scope!", a demonstration experiment by P. Evangelopoulos on the context of "Dspace" project for Athens Science Festival, Athens, October 10-12 , 2023

  • World Space Week, Voutes - Heraklion, October 4-10, 2023 (Photos from the event of the Institute on 5/10, you'll find here)

  • Researcher's Night, Voutes - Heraklion, September 29, 2023

  • "Discover the world of science through board games", a PO event of the Institute for the celebrations of 40 years of FORTH at the Municipality of Heraklion Cultural Centre, September 22 and 23, 2023

  • "Star gazing event at Shepherd's Land", Anogeia, August 20, 2023

  • "The Space Cadet - a dance and music event", Anogeia, August 5, 2023

  • "Gazing the sky of Crete",  talks by I. Papadakis, P. Evangelopoulos and stargazing by UoC Astronomy Club (E. Papatheodorou), Ag. Mironas, July 31, 2023

  • Shadow theatre "Καραγκιόζης στο Φεγγάρι", Anogeia, July 22, 2023

  • Annual Meeting of the Amateur Astronomers Society of Crete, Anogia - July 21-22, 2023

  • "Observing the Universe with space telescopes", talk by V. Charmandaris, 15th Amateur Astronomer Stargazing Event, Parnonas, 15 July 2023 

  • "Sun - the star of the day", hands on activity by P. Evangelopoulos, Athens, June 26-28, 2023 

  • "The Universe can be understood!", talk by V. Pavlidou, Athens, 26 June 2023 

  • Researcher's Night, Voutes - Heraklion, September 30, 2022

  • World Space Week, Voutes - Heraklion, October 7, 2022

  • Stargazing night at Pagkrition School, Heraklion, October 2, 2022

  • Le ciel à travers la science, la musique et la littérature, Heraklion, September 2, 2022