Programme · November 3–5, 2026
The symposium programme is below. It features plenary talks, parallel focused science sessions, interactive hands-on sessions, breakout co-working, and opportunities for collaboration. Details are subject to change.
The inaugural Schmidt Observatory System Symposium will bring together astronomers, instrumentalists, and data scientists to explore the science enabled by a new generation of coordinated observatories. Sessions will broadly span topics from technical orientation to ambitious science planning — introducing the capabilities of each facility, demonstrating tools and simulators, and starting the collective work of defining the large-scale observing programs that will define the system's early science legacy. The format is deliberately interactive: alongside plenary talks, expect hands-on hackathons, focused breakout discussions, and working group sessions designed to turn ideas into the seeds for proposals.
A central theme is the power of cross-observatory science — what becomes possible when DSA, Argus, Lazuli, and LFAST operate as a coordinated system rather than independent facilities. Significant time will be dedicated to the practicalities of community access: how time is allocated, how proposals are structured, and what tools are available to help you plan observations and write competitive programs. Whether you are scoping a future proposal, looking to connect with collaborators, or simply want to understand what the Schmidt Observatory System makes possible, this symposium is your gateway.
Science