ALBA synchrotron fills 1,300 spots available at open house

By Biocat

Spectacular both inside and out. The ALBA-CELLS synchrotron in Cerdanyola del Vallès is opening its doors to the public, two years after going online, at an event in which technicians and scientists from this large-scale scientific facility will explain what it is, how it works and what it is used for. More specifically, visitors will take a tour of the facility and get a look at the three accelerators, seven experimental beamlines and watch an audiovisual presentation.

The success of the open day, on 15 December, has surprised even the organizers, filling the 1,300 spots available in just a few days and requiring them to restrict new registrations as of now. In all likelihood, a similar event will also be held in 2013.

There are 74 synchrotrons around the world, 27 of which are in Europe, 18 in America, 25 in Asia, 3 in the Middle East and one in Australia. Open house events are a common activity at all synchrotrons, helping bridge the gap between science and society and awaken scientific vocation. Since 2010, ALBA has welcomed hundreds of cultural and educational groups, who visit the facility when it is closed for maintenance. However, they had never before devoted a whole day to welcoming the general public.

This initiative falls under the framework of the 17th Science Week, organized by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI), which encompasses hundreds of activities to raise awareness of science around Catalonia.

For more information: openday@cells.es or by phone +34 93 592 43 00.

We recommend the interview with Ramon Pasqual, president of the synchrotron’s Executive Committee, published by Biocat just after the synchrotron was inaugurated.