In July 1-12, 2019, the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics will host an interdisciplinary summer school for PhD students entitled “The Toruń Astrophysics, Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemistry school” (TASQ). Interested PhD students from abroad can apply for co-funding of the participation in the school till January 25th available as part of the project PROM.
The central theme of the TASQ school is astrochemistry, a discipline that takes advantage of the knowledge about molecules in order to study astronomical objects. The interpretation of the astronomical data requires prior studies: both spectroscopic experiments and quantum-chemical calculations. By combining those studies, it’s possible to determine the structure of a molecule, identify its transitions in the spectra, and understand the emission from e.g. molecular clouds by calculating the necessary collisional rates.
The main aim of the school is to create a platform for the knowledge transfer between astrochemists, quantum chemists and spectroscopists. This way, we hope that the potential and expertise of various groups will meet, and joint collaboration will bring new, important discoveries.
The program of the school includes the lecture series by internationally renowned scientists as well as afternoon hands-on sessions on multiple subjects. PhD students will have an opportunity to present their research and get to know Toruń and its scientific infrastructure.
You shall not be surprised that the school is actually held in Toruń. One of the founders of our department is professor Lutosław Wolniewicz, who made a breakthrough calculations for the most important molecule in the Universe - the molecular hydrogen, H2. His results triggered important progress in the development of the new methods of quantum chemistry and were critical for the launch of astrochemistry.