Outreach

As a scientist, I strongly believe that outreach is an essential and inseparable part of the work that we do. I have been involved in various outreach activities for almost 15 years, including public lectures, stargazing events, school visits, contributions in the media, or articles in magazines and on the internet. I find that these activities provide a unique opportunity to share my passion for science with others. On this page, you will find information about my outreach efforts and the various initiatives that I have organized or participated in. I am committed to continuing this important work and inspiring the next generation of scientists and science enthusiasts.

In 2016, I was awarded the Csere Prize by the Slovak Astronomical Society, in recognition of my outreach activities. This annual prize is an award that celebrates and encourages excellence in engaging the public with astronomy.

Outreach activities

Events for public

Over the years, I have organized and co-organized numerous public lectures on a wide range of astronomical topics, planetarium shows, and stargazing events (sky observations, lunar and solar eclipses, transits, etc.). These events have drawn audiences of all ages, from children to adults. I am particularly proud of my work as a lecturer in the 'S ďalekohľadom na cestách (On the roads with a telescope)' project, which was a resounding success. Additionally, I worked at the planetarium and science park for several years during my university studies.

Slovak Astronomical Society

From 2019 to 2023, I served in the executive committee of the Slovak Astronomical Society. I have had the opportunity to contribute to the Society's mission of advancing and promoting astronomy in Slovakia. As part of my work with the Society, I have been responsible for the website presentation of the Society and I have also co-organized several conferences focused on various aspects of astronomy, including research, education, and outreach (see more in the Research part of the website).

IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach

I serve as the vice-National Outreach Coordinator (NOC) for Slovakia, as appointed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The main aim of the network of NOCs is to promote and support astronomy outreach projects of IAU at the national level. In this role, I have participated in a range of exciting projects, including the IAU centenary celebrations (IAU100: Under One Sky) and related events organized in Slovakia, and two editions of the NameExoWorlds project in which I acted as a national panel chair.

Media

Weekly online podcast

I prepare a weekly online podcast in Slovak language called 'Vesmír v praktickom balení (The Universe in a Practical Package)'. It covers a wide range of astronomical topics, including the latest discoveries, unanswered questions, and noteworthy events in the day and night sky. The podcast is designed to make astronomy easy to understand for everyone.

Weekly radio show

Aside from the podcast, I also create a short weekly radio program about astronomy called 'Pondelková hvezdáreň (Monday Observatory)', which is broadcasted on Rádio Regina Východ every Monday morning. The show is aimed to be accessible to a general audience and covers a wide range of astronomical topics, including current events and interesting phenomena in the sky.

Radio and TV shows

Since 2009, I have made appearances on approximately 40 TV and 100 radio contributions (either in the news or special shows) discussing various astronomical topics and current celestial events, with the goal of promoting greater public awareness of astronomy. I also often highlight the importance of preserving our natural night sky and discuss the effects of light pollution on human health and the environment.

Light pollution

Activities

For several years, I have been actively involved in various activities aimed at raising awareness about light pollution, including public lectures, events, and coordination of international projects such as Globe at Night and Earth Hour in Slovakia. Through these efforts, I aim to educate people about the negative impact of artificial lighting on astronomy, the environment, and human health. My work in this area also led to my election as the leader of the Section of Protection Against Light Pollution within the Slovak Astronomical Society and Slovak Union of Astronomers in 2021.

Globe at Night

Globe at Night is a citizen science project aimed at raising awareness about the impact of light pollution on the night sky. As the coordinator for Slovakia, I am responsible for organizing and promoting the project, which invites people of all ages and backgrounds to observe the night sky and record their observations. By participating in Globe at Night, citizens can contribute to scientific research on light pollution. The results based on 12 years of observations collected in the Globe at Night project were recently published in Science.

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) with the goal to raise awareness of the environmental issues, including light pollution. As a coordinator of the project in Slovakia for more than ten year (youngest national coordinator in the world when I started), I played a key role in communicating the project goals to the public and representatives of municipalities and businesses. While the WWF Slovakia now coordinates Earth Hour activities, I continue to participate in the organization of the project.