Researchers' Night 2011

ICTP will be taking the public on a journey 'From the Cosmos to the Earth' this Friday, 23 September, from 10:00 to 23:00 in Trieste at the city's third annual Researchers' Night (La Notte dei Ricercatori), a yearly public science festival sponsored by the EU and held in cities throughout Europe. This year's event revolves around the theme 'energy' and will be held in Trieste's Piazza Unita and neighbouring areas.

With the help of the Centre's scientists, visitors to ICTP's booth will travel through space and time, from the Big Bang to the formation of planets, to evolution on Earth and technological advances. Hands-on activities for people of all ages will illustrate how physics explains our past, present, future, and indeed our existence.

ICTP scientists also will take part in public forums dedicated to the public understanding of science, including 'Street Science', where scientists speak for about 10 minutes about their work, and a roundtable discussion on energy and the environment moderated by a local science journalist.

Sports, music and art will share the spotlight with science at Researchers' Night. ICTP is co-sponsoring a booth titled 'Sportenergy', where visitors can see how much energy is produced by physical activity such as cycling. Later in the evening, ICTP has organized scientists passionate about music to perform in bands dedicated to Latin rhythm, jazz, boogie-woogie, blues, folk and rock.

An art exhibit titled Art&Science | Science&Art, also sponsored by ICTP, officially opened on 16 September and runs until 27 September at the Trieste Chamber of Commerce in Piazza della Borsa. Featuring works by artists, photographers and sculptors, the exhibit aims to capture the energy of creativity.

For more details, visit the Researchers' Night website.