Black holes have fascinated people for decades and pushed science to its limits.

Some things that happen in space still cannot be captured by the laws of physics - especially dark matter, the existence of which can only be deduced from indirect observations, is a great unknown.

This is another reason why universities are trying to give space to new creative ideas in astrophysics.

Kevin Hanschke

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This is the goal of a research program called Explore (Experiential Learning Opportunity through Research and Exchange) developed by the University of Frankfurt, the University of Toronto and York University in Toronto.

This year, the scientists involved are exchanging information face-to-face for the first time.

At the Explore Summer School at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, they want to discuss the first interim results of the joint research project on dark matter.

This year, the participating students are primarily concerned with gravity in the universe.

They come together on the Riedberg campus in Frankfurt and work on real data there.

The aim is not only to achieve scientific progress, but also to inspire bachelor and master students for astrophysical research.

Bringing teaching and practice together

It all started two years ago with the "Explore I" digital project, after the three universities had agreed to work together in the field of dark matter.

Since then, 40 students and faculty have participated in the program.

Theoretical teaching and scientific practice should be brought together in it.

In international teams, students deal with sub-areas of dark matter and astroparticle research.

"We want to have our finger on the pulse of physics," says Laura Sagunski, who heads the program.

This semester's 12 Canadian participants, who have traveled from Toronto, include aerospace engineer Megan Gran and Tarnem Afify, who will begin her master's degree in artificial intelligence this fall.

While Gran's sub-project focused on merging satellite data and developing an automated model for analyzing these datasets, Afify dealt with the distribution of dark matter around black holes, which can be derived from the analysis of gravitational waves.

With her team, she developed a model that describes this distribution.

"In particular, we are improving our programming skills and building models that can help to bring together the research results on black holes and to draw new conclusions about dark matter from this overview." Gran would like to work on the development of satellites and rockets after her master's degree.

"I'm learning a lot about how astrophysicists think, which will help me in the design of satellites," she says.

"Perspectives from all over the world are good for the subject"

For Harald Appelshäuser, Dean of the Physics Department at Goethe University, the project is also intended to promote a new academic culture based on digitization, internationalization and flat hierarchies.

The diversity of students and teachers is essential for this.

“Much in the universe is undiscovered.

Perspectives from all over the world are good for the subject.”

In her welcome address, Frankfurt Mayor Nargess Eskandari-Grünberg (The Greens) spoke about her trip to Toronto, during which cooperation in science was also a topic.

"Frankfurt and Toronto are diverse in a similar way." The scientific exchange should be further intensified.

"There are no limits in astrophysics, both in terms of the internationality of the teams and the subject of research".

In a lecture, the Frankfurt astrophysics professor Luciano Rezzolla reported on the research of the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration on the black holes M87* and Sgr A*.

He encouraged students to explore this rapidly changing field.

A continuation of Explore is planned for the next winter semester.

Then two universities from the United States, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Alberta, will also take part.