Galactic Frontiers 2026: Advancing X‐Ray  Astronomy in a Multiwavelength Universe

The proposed WE-Heraeus seminar “Galactic Frontiers 2026” aims to bring together leading scientists and early-career researchers in the field of Galactic X-ray astronomy to explore recent advances enabled by the eROSITA X-ray telescope. eROSITA’s all-sky survey provides an unprecedented dataset for studying both diffuse and point-like X-ray sources across the entire sky, with a focus on the Milky Way and its satellite galaxies. The seminar will address a range of key topics: the nature and origin of diffuse X-ray emission in the interstellar medium (ISM), supernova remnants (SNRs) as sources of energetic particles and feedback into the ISM, and the population and evolution of compact stellar remnants like white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. A central theme will be the synergy of X-ray data with observations across the electromagnetic spectrum, including optical, radio, infrared, and gamma-ray bands. Particular attention will also be given to the growing contributions of international amateur astronomy networks in the optical detection of degree-wide extended SNRs and nebulae. The seminar will take place from June 15 to 18, 2026, at the Physikzentrum in Bad Honnef. The program includes invited overview talks, contributed presentations, and poster sessions. A concluding excursion to the Effelsberg 100m radio telescope is also planned. The event aims to bring together researchers at all career stages, support early-career scientists through additional funding from the DFG-funded eRO-STEP project, and lay the groundwork for collaborative, multiwavelength research on Galactic high-energy phenomena. 

The conference language will be English. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation bears the cost of full-board accommodation for all participants.