The main theme of the conference Bezovec 2026 – Satellite Astronomy was the presentation of the astronomical research based on satellite data. The scope of the presentations was broader and therefore not focused only on traditional variable stars. A common element was observations from space, which allow for specific timing and detection of wavelengths unattainable by ground-based telescopes. In addition to the presentations, participants also discussed the possibilities of mutual cooperation in astronomical research.

The traditional Bezovec conference was held on September 4 – 6, 2026, in the Guesthouse on Bezovec. The conference was organized by the Slovak Astronomical Society and the Observatory and Planetarium of M. R. Štefánik in Hlohovec. The Faculty of materials science and technology of Slovak university of technology in Bratislava and Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics of Comenius University in Bratislava also participated in its preparation and organization. The conference was organized in cooperation with the Astronomical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

Participants

  • Samuel Adámek, Masaryk University in Brno
  • Andrej Dobrotka, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
  • Damián Fečko, Institute of Experimental Physics of Slovak Academy of Sciences in Košice
  • Ľubomír Hambálek, Astronomical Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences in Tatranská Lomnica
  • Žofia Chrobáková, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
  • Filip Janák, Comenius University in Bratislava
  • Matúš Kamenec, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice
  • Róbert Kožurko, Observatory and Planetarium of M. R. Štefánik in Hlohovec
  • Hana Kučáková, Silesian University in Opava
  • Kyra Liashenko, Clear Skies Foundation, Odesa
  • Jozef Magdolen, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
  • Vladyslava Marsakova Main Astronomical Observatory of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Richelieu Science lyceum, Odesa
  • Martin Melicherčík, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
  • Roman Nagy, Comenius University in Bratislava
  • Karol Petrík, Observatory and Planetarium of M. R. Štefánik in Hlohovec
  • Sergey Shugarov, Astronomical Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences in Tatranská Lomnica
  • Michal Šturc, Comenius University in Bratislava
  • Stanislav Šúst, Slovak Astronomical Societa, Hurbanovo
  • Martina Veresvarska, Institute of Space Sciences, Spanish National Research Council, Barcelona
  • Olga Vozyakova, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice

Program

Galaxy Friday, September 4, 2026

15:00 – Registration of participants
16:15 – Opening ceremony
16:30 – Scientific session 1

16:30 Roman Nagy – From Gaia to Euclid: Mapping Features in Remote Galactic Regions
17:00 Filip Janák –Analysis of the Galactic warp using simulations and Gaia DR3 data
17:30 Michal Šturc – Space observation of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group

18:00 – Coffee break

18:20 Žofia Chrobáková – ARRAKIHS Space mission – Exploring the hidden universe

18:50 – Discussion – Future of galaxy observations
19:30 – Dinner

Binary Saturday, September 5, 2026

08:00 – Breakfast
09:30 – Scientific session 2

9:30 Kyra Liashenko – New Variable Stars Found in TESS Sectors 77, 79, 86, 89, and 93
10:00 Matúš Kamenec – Revision of the Detached Eclipsing System IR Cas from TESS Observations, Ground-Based Photometry and Spectroscopy
10:30 Jozef Magdolen – Confusing fast variability in novae: amplitude or frequency?

11:00 – Coffee break

11:20 Vladyslava Marsakova – Period Variations and Light Curve Evolution of Selected Eclipsing Binaries from TESS and Ground-Based Photometry
11:50 Sergey Shugarov – Complementary Space-based TESS and Multicolour Ground-based Observations of the 2022 Superoutburst of TCP J23580961+5502508

12:20 – Conference photo
12:30 – Lunch
14:00 – Conference trip (Bezovec Hill or Tematín Castle)
17:00 – Scientific session 3

17:00 Samuel Adamek – Measuring the flickering frequency of V1504 Cyg across the outburst cycle with Kepler
17:30 Andrej Dobrotka – Differences in the accretion flow structure of MV Lyr and V1504 Cyg based on Kepler data and simulations

18:00 – Coffee break

18:20 Martina Veresvarska – Accretion geometry through the eyes of accreting white dwarfs: systematic study of broad-band variability as a probe for disc viscosity

18:50 – Discussion – Future of stellar observations
19:30 – Dinner

Technical Sunday, September 6, 2026

08:00 – Breakfast
09:30 – Scientific session 4

9:30 Olga Vozyakova – A Web-Based Tool for Semi-Automated Batch Timing of Variable-Star Extrema Using Gaussian Process Regression
10:00 Martin Melicherčík – Searching for Bow-Shocks in WISE data using machine learning
10:30 Damián Fečko – From Space-Physics Research to Satellite Instrument Development: The New SPACE::LAB Cleanroom at IEP SAS

11:00 – Discussion – Future of Slovak satellites
11:30 – Closing ceremony
12:00 – Lunch