Czech Television report: a world-class astrophysicist moves to Brno

Tapescript of the Czech Television report:

Jakub VÁCHA, moderator

An astrophysicist of world renown will be undertaking research at Masaryk University in Brno since this summer. Originally from Slovakia, Norbert Werner is coming to south Moravia thanks to a special grant. He will be researching intergalactic gases here and wants to cooperate with Brno companies focused on the space industry.

Michal ČEJKA, editor

Four years ago, he discovered the second largest known explosion after the Big Bang. Partly because of this, Norbert Werner is now one of the stars in his field. In addition to undertaking further research in Brno with his team for at least the next three years, he will also be teaching.

Norbert WERNER, astrophysicist, Masaryk University

It's called high-energy astrophysics, so we're exploring the hottest places and the most energetic processes in the Universe, like matter falling into a black hole, for example. We study this with the help of large space telescopes.

Michal ČEJKA, editor

Hard to imagine for a layman but highly valued work in professional circles. Norbert’s professional resume is impressive. For example, he won a NASA scholarship to the famous Stanford University in the USA, where he spent eight years. He is now in Brno thanks to a Muni Award grants.

Tereza FOJTOVÁ, spokesperson of Masaryk University, Brno

The grant is designed to attract foreign scientists, allowing them to bring not only their know-how but also top teams and top science.

Michal ČEJKA, editor

Companies from the space industry will also benefit from the arrival of this well-known astrophysicist. One of Werner's goals is to undertake his academic work alongside engineers.

Luděk GRACLÍK, Director of GL Eletronics

This is definitely good for all involved, given that the person has an international reputation and it increases the prestige of those industrial entities involved.

Michal ČEJKA, editor

Those focused on satellites employ several hundred people in Brno. So far.

Norbert WERNER, astrophysicist, Masaryk University

There are other companies we can cooperate with in developing instruments that can be used to explore the universe from space or from orbit around the Earth.

Jan SPRATEK, ESA Education Office

Associate Professor Werner has quite a bit of experience with satellites that are really very small, and the Czech Republic has ambitions in the construction of these smaller satellites.

Michal ČEJKA, editor

The results will not only improve our knowledge of the Universe but could also inspire a number of new inventions. Many previous inventions, such as memory foam and non-contact thermometers, have come about as a product of space exploration. Michal Čejka, Czech Television.