ADVANCED SCHOOL OF ASTRONOMY

The 1960s were a particularly fruitful period for stellar astronomy. The spread of powerful electronic computers allowed for the construction of rather sophisticated stellar models, and the theory of stellar evolution managed to solve numerous astrophysical problems. Although many problems remain unsolved, today we can say that we have a good understanding of the evolution of stars, particularly during the hydrogen and helium burning phases. The current frontiers of stellar astronomy are at a much more advanced level. On the one hand, the theory of stellar evolution, a remarkable problem in itself, is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for determining the age and chemical composition of stellar groups, i.e., for studying the structure, origin, and evolution of our galaxy and neighboring galaxies. On the other hand, stellar astronomers' interests focus on those phenomena (such as mass loss, stellar explosions, etc.) that give rise to dynamic situations in stars. The aim of the Graduate School of Astronomy is to provide young researchers active in the field of astronomy with a critical overview of the latest developments in observational phenomena. In particular, the school encourages discussion of new observational techniques and unresolved theoretical problems in order to stimulate research and cooperation between observational and theoretical astronomers.