Message SF2A No 1164 – 15/12/25
- Concours photos SF2A2026
- Astronomy & Astrophysics Awards 2026 – Reminder
- Conference The Extragalactic Transient Universe, 6-10 July, 2026, Marseille (France)
- WST-France 2026 – Réunion de la communauté Française du Widefield Spectroscopic Telescope, 25-27 mars, 2026, Nice (France)
1. Concours photos SF2A2026 « Des montagnes au ciel étoilé”
Dans le cadre des journées de la SF2A 2026 organisées à Grenoble, du 22 au 26 juin 2026, l’OSUG et l’IPAG organisent le concours photographique “Des montagnes au ciel étoilé”, dont les photographies lauréates feront l’objet d’une exposition itinérante. Ouvert à tous, il propose un dialogue visuel et poétique entre deux paysages grandioses et intimement liés: celui des montagnes et celui du ciel étoilé. Photos et/ou dessins astrophysiques sont à envoyer avant le 30 janvier 2026.
Along with the SF2A 2026 conference in Grenoble, OSUG and IPAG propose a photography competition “From mountains to starry skies”, with the winning photographs to be features in a travelling exposition. Astronomical photos and drawings are to be submitted by January 30, 2026.
Transmis par Marion Villenave
2. Astronomy & Astrophysics Awards 2026 – Reminder
The Board of Directors of Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A) attributes two yearly Awards for outstanding research published in A&A by individuals in the initial stages of their careers. With these two Awards, the Board aims to recognise and contribute to the enthusiasm of the new generation of researchers who will shape the future of astronomy for decades to come.
– A&A Award for Outstanding PhD Article
This Award recognises a single individual who has completed a PhD in the last two years and published part of their thesis work as lead author of an article in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
– A&A Award for Outstanding Early Career Researcher Article
This Award recognises a single individual who is in an early career stage and has published high-quality, internationally recognised research in Astronomy & Astrophysics as lead author.
The A&A Awards will be presented at a ceremony during the European Astronomical Society (EAS) Annual Meeting. Each awardee will be given a certificate by the Chairperson of the A&A Board of Directors and presented with a cash prize of €2000. The A&A Awards also cover the expenses associated with participation in the ceremony, including a full week at EAS 2026.
Eligibility criteria, required documentation and application procedure may be found at:
https://www.aanda.org/component/content/article/11-news/3121-astronomy-astrophysics-awards-2026
Application deadline is 31 December 2025
Transmis par Pierre-Alain Duc
3. Conference The Extragalactic Transient Universe, 6-10 July, 2026, Marseille (France)
It is our pleasure to announce the “Extragalactic Transient Universe” conference, which will take place in Marseille (France) from 6 to 10 July 2026. This meeting is the latest in the conference series organised by the GECO (Galaxies, Stars, and Cosmology) group at the Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille.
The study of the transient Universe is experiencing a golden age, driven by the development of new facilities and advanced observational techniques. Exceptional scientific opportunities are emerging thanks to instruments such as the SVOM and Einstein Probe (EP) high-energy missions, the Vera Rubin Observatory, and many others.
The conference will focus on a wide range of topics, from observations, theory, and modelling of the diverse population of astronomical transients, to multi-messenger astronomy, as well as the instrumentation, techniques, and data-management approaches required to advance transient science.
The goal is to explore the common ground shared by different transient phenomena—whether in observational strategies, the underlying physical processes, the progenitor systems that lead to transients, or the influence of the host-galaxy environment.
Research topics to be discussed at the conference will include:
· Gamma-Ray Bursts
· Fast Blue Optical Transients
· Core-collapse supernovae
· Tidal Disruption Events
· Fast Radio Bursts
· Exotic transients
· Multi-messenger observations
· Theory and simulations
· Massive stars as progenitors
· Host galaxies
· Instrumentation, surveys, and observational techniques
Important dates:
12 January 2026 – Abstract submission and registration opens
27 February 2026 – Abstract submission deadline
17 April 2026 – Programme release
1 May – Registration closes
Website: https://geco-lam2026.sciencesconf.org/
Transmis par Samuel Boissier
4. WST-France 2026 – Réunion de la communauté Française du Widefield Spectroscopic Telescope, 25-27 mars, 2026, Nice (France
Deadline for abstract extended to January 15th 2026
https://wst-france2026.sciencesconf.org/
We encourage scientists affiliated with French institutes—especially early-career researchers—to submit their ideas and science cases that could benefit from WST.
The Wide-Field Spectroscopic Telescope (WST) is a planned 12-m facility dedicated to massive spectroscopic surveys. It will combine a 3 deg² high-multiplex MOS (30,000 LR / 2,000 HR) with a giant 3×3 arcmin IFS, placing it far ahead of all existing and planned instruments. WST will enable major advances in cosmology, galaxy evolution, Milky Way science, star and planet formation, and time-domain / multi-messenger astrophysics.
A three-year Horizon Europe concept study is now underway, with the goal of proposing WST as ESO’s next major facility after the ELT, under the Expanding Horizons call (deadline June 2027). France (CNRS, CEA) leads the consortium and plays key scientific and technological roles. Although operations are foreseen for 2040+, critical decisions are imminent.
The meeting goals are: to inform the French community about WST’s capabilities and science potential, to encourage new contributions to the science case, to discuss synergies with future facilities and to address technological, data, and upgrade challenges.
Transmis par Roland Bacon
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