4th Regional Astronomical Summer School (4RASS)
“Astronomy and Data Science”
08-12 September 2025
Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), Armenia
First Announcement
Please check the school website for more information at
https://www.bao.am/meetings/
IV Regional Astronomical Summer School (4RASS) will take place at Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory on September 8-12, 2025. During the school the students will have observations on 1 or 2.6 m telescopes, practical tutorial sessions on data reduction and analysis, statistics, as well as will get knowledge about the Astronomical Surveys, Databases, Archives and Virtual Observatory tools. The Regional Schools are related to the IAU South West and Central Asian Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SWCA ROAD) hosted by Armenia since 2015.
All local expenses for the school will be covered by the organizers. We can offer a limited number of travel grants for students from South West and Central Asia Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SWCA ROAD) member countries and few more grants to other nationality students.
The school is mainly meant for MSc and PhD students in astronomy, also BSc students in the later stages.
Note that the school can accommodate 20 students. English is the working language of the school.
The next week after the 4RASS the international symposium “Astronomical Surveys and Big Data 3” dedicated to 60th anniversary of Markarian Survey and the 20th anniversary of the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) is being organized. If you would like to take part also in the conference, please, follow the link to register.
Main Topics
· Observational Astronomy
· Data Reduction and Analysis
· Astronomical Surveys
· Astronomical Catalogues, Archives and Databases
· Big Data in Astronomy
· Virtual Observatories
· Scientific Writing
REGISTRATION
Registration is open until 15 June 2025. Register here:
https://www.bao.am/meetings/
Motivation and recommendation letters are mandatory for the completeness of the registration.
Practical Information
Meeting Venue
The IV Regional Astronomical Summer School (4RASS) will be held in the Main Building of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO). Please, find the guiding map of the Observatory at the following link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/
Airport Transfer
Upon arrival, our driver will meet you at the Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport and transfer you to BAO Guest House. Please look for a sign with a “4RASS” note. Please send us a copy of your electronic ticket. We recommend arriving a day before the event begins. The more detailed information will be given later.
Meals
Meals will be provided at the Observatory Canteen. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, please let us know in advance.
Excursions
We are planning to have one-day excursions. The more detailed information will be given later.
SOC
Areg Mickaelian (Armenia, Chair), Hayk Abrahamyan (Armenia), Michel Dennefeld (France), Lex Kaper (Netherlands), Oleg Malkov (Russia), Mustapha Meftah (France) Gor Mikayelyan (Armenia), Alain Sarkissian (France)
LOC
Hayk Abrahamyan (BAO, Armenia, Co-Chair), Gor Mikayelyan (BAO, Armenia, Co-Chair), Liana Hambardzumyan (BAO, Armenia, Secretary), Derenik Andreasyan (BAO, Armenia), Anna Gasparyan (BAO, Armenia), Karen Gigoyan (BAO, Armenia), Varduhi Mkrtchyan (BAO, Armenia), Gurgen Paronyan (BAO, Armenia), Andranik Sukiasyan (BAO, Armenia)
CONTACTS
Address: Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), Byurakan 0213, Aragatzotn province, Armenia
Webpage: https://www.bao.am/meetings/
E-mail: 4rass@bao.am
SOC Chair: Areg Mickaelian (phone: +374-91-195914, E-mail: aregmick@yahoo.com)
LOC Co-Chairs: Hayk Abrahamyan (+374-94-377550, abrahamyanhayk@gmail.com) and Gor Mikayelyan (+374-55-515001, gor.mikayelyan87@gmail.com)
LOC Secretary: Liana Hambardzumyan (+374-77-304090, hambardzumyanlian@gmail.com)