In the framework of the World Space Week celebration, the Institute of Astrophysics of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, in collaboration with the Astronomy Club of the Students of the University of Crete, and the science communication group Periastron are organizing an event (in Greek) at FORTH’s new Science and Cultural Center, located on the corner of Averof & Zografou Streets in Heraklion, Crete. The event will take place on Monday October 20 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. and will be open to the public while the event’s activities will be suitable for people aged 6 and above.

Moreover, books published by Crete University Press will be given away through a lottery.

A few words about the World Space Week:

World Space Week is an international celebration of science, technology, and their contribution to improving the standard of living for all people. The United Nations General Assembly announced in 1999 that World Space Week would be celebrated annually from October 4 to 10. These dates commemorate two events:

1. October 4, 1957: Launch of the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, paving the way for space exploration
2. October 10, 1967: Signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

World Space Week events are held around the world in schools, universities, science centers, planetariums, museums, companies, etc. In 2024, more than 15,000 events took place worldwide in 90 countries.

More information about this celebration can be found on the official WSW website https://www.worldspaceweek.org/, while you can also see the corresponding event of the Institute of Astrophysics here.

Hashtags: #WSW2025 #WorldSpaceWeek

For any clarification, please contact the Astronomy Outreach Officer of the Institute of Astrophysics, Panagiotis Evangelopoulos, at telephone 2810394237 and pevangelop@ia.forth.gr.

The detailed program of the event:

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Space bingo by the Astronomy Student Group of the University of Crete (forecourt)
• "The day I painted the sky", Painting for children aged 6-9 (Ground floor)

6:00-6:45 p.m. and 7:00-7:45 p.m.

Workshop by the Periastron team: "Astronaut's Academy" (1st floor lecture hall)

8:15-9:00 p.m.

Lecture: "Our Life in Space & Its Impact on Earth", Adrianos Golemis, MD Lead Flight Surgeon at MEDES for ESA, (1st floor lecture hall- limited seating — first come, first served)