XMM competition - Villa Franca, Madrid, Spain

End of October - a number of European high school classes were awarded with an airtrip to ESA Headquarter, Spain following the international XMM competition.

A most rewarding tour - both scientifically and culturally ...

From the ESA Press release :

Twenty-one young European students from six countries have visited the XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre at Villafranca, Spain. The 16-18 year olds were participants in the XMM-Newton "Stargazing" competition held earlier this year.

Background - the XMM satellite is a European xray telescope - launched to investigate some of the most violent processes in the interstellar medium.

Among several other European Groups - all together 3 Danish high school groups were invited due to their student contributions : Thisted, Vejle - and our school - Amtsgymnasiet in Sonderborg.

Click to see an example of our contributions

Some of these huge parabolic dishes transmit and recieve signals from both satellites, space telescopes like the XMM, as well as launching spacecrafts - e.g. the Space Shuttle.

"Wonder what happens if one presses that Escape button up there ???? "

"Calling outer space - is there anybody out there ????? "

Scientific discussions of all student proposals - what to do better ?

Relaxing chairs after an interesting days work...

ESA made this visit not only a scientifically, but also a culturally most interesting competition award !

Huge Paella - "is that for me alone ?"

Louise : "Dead or still alive ? "

Hot spanish nights - Flamenco Dancers...

Sure, Science IS exciting , indeed.....

Thanks to ESA for their warm hospitality during this international competition !