Next week, Brno will become the centre of global astrophysics. From May 18 to 22, 2026, Masaryk University’s Faculty of Science will host the prestigious International Astronomical Union Symposium 405 (IAUS 405), titled “Traversing the Galactic Centre in Space and Time”. The main part of the programme will take place at the Brno Observatory and Planetarium, who are co-organising the event.
The symposium will focus on the galactic centre, a dynamic region of the Milky Way that is home to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*. The centre of our galaxy serves as a unique laboratory for studying extreme physical processes. Leading international experts will be coming to Brno for the event, including Andrea Ghez, the 2020 Nobel Laureate in Physics from the University of California, Los Angeles.
This year's event features a significantly expanded programme for the public. Visitors can look forward to a public lecture by a Nobel laureate, an outdoor photography exhibition focusing on black holes and a unique 3D model of a black hole called 'Singulóna'. These activities are all linked by the motto “From Light to Darkness and Back”, which explores the history and essence of black hole research.
“The fact that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has decided to support the organisation of a symposium on the centre of our galaxy in Brno is a great honour for us. It is not only the first IAU symposium in our city, it is also the first standalone symposium of this type in the entire country, previous symposia having been held as part of major general assemblies in Prague in 1967 and 2006”, said Michal Zajaček, Chair of the Scientific and Local Organising Committees (SOC, LOC) from the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University (MUNI).
The main scientific programme will comprise a series of lectures, discussions and poster presentations, covering topics ranging from the immediate vicinity of a black hole to the broader structures of the galactic core. The opening lecture on the first day of the conference will be delivered by Nobel laureate Andrea Ghez. The programme reflects the latest results obtained using state-of-the-art observatories and instruments.
The symposium will also include a varied social programme for participants. For example, the organisers have prepared a welcome cocktail reception, a conference dinner, guided tours of Brno and a concert.
“Almost everyone has heard of black holes, but few can picture anything concrete when they hear the term. Black holes are both terrifying and fascinating and are also key to understanding how the universe works. This is precisely what makes them one of the greatest adventures in modern astronomy. Here at Kraví Hora, we are thrilled to host a gathering of people studying this cosmic phenomenon”, said Jiří Dušek, Director of the Brno Observatory and Planetarium.
The IAUS 405 conference continues a long-standing tradition of international meetings focused on the galactic core. These meetings have been held since the 1980s and bring together experts from around the world. For a few days, therefore, Brno will be a key venue for discussing the present and future of research into one of the most fascinating areas of the universe.
Michal Zajaček added, “We cordially invite both scientists and enthusiasts to join us in Brno for this exceptional gathering, which highlights the growing role of the Czech Republic in astrophysical research.
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