Scientific Conference Celebrating the 90th Birthday of Professor Józef Smak
The Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences is pleased to invite you to a scientific conference celebrating the 90th birthday of Professor Józef Smak, one of the most distinguished Polish astronomers, a world-renowned expert in close binary stars, and a pioneer in the study of accretion disks.
Schedule, Feb. 3rd 2026
(hours may change)
11:00 - 12:30 Scientific Session part I
12:30 - 12:45 Coffe Break
12:45 - 14:15 Scientific Session part II
14:30 - 15:00 Concert
15:00 Gala Dinner
credit: ESA Cosmos
The event will take place on 3 February 2026 at the CAMK PAS headquarters, 18 Bartycka Street, Warsaw. The conference will provide an opportunity to highlight Professor Smak’s scientific achievements, reflect on his impact on modern astrophysics, and present current research related to the fields he helped shape.
The programme will include invited talks, contributions from Professor Smak’s collaborators and students, as well as a concluding session dedicated to future directions in the study of cataclysmic variables and accretion disks. The conference will also serve as a meeting point for the astronomical community and a moment to celebrate the anniversary.
We warmly invite you to participate in this event.
Venue:
Main lecture room of the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center (CAMK), Polish Academy of Sciences, Bartycka 18, Warsaw, Poland.
https://www.camk.edu.pl/en/about/guests/
Recommended accommodation options:
- Hotel Łazienkowski: https://www.hotellazienkowski.pl/pl/
- Hotel Belwederski: https://hotel-belwederski-warsaw.hotel-ds.com/pl/
- B85 Suites: https://b85suites.com/
- ibis Budget: https://all.accor.com/hotel/6401/index.en.shtml
- ibis Styles: https://all.accor.com/hotel/A1J0/index.en.shtml
- Reytan: https://www.reytan.pl/en/
- MDM: https://www.hotelmdm.com.pl/
- Motel One: https://www.motel-one.com/en/hotels/warsaw/hotel-warsaw-chopin/
- Sheraton: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/wawsi-sheraton-grand-warsaw/
Practical information:
Poland is a member of the European Union, is in the free-travel Schengen Zone, while not in the common-currency Euro Zone. The currency is Polish Zloty (1 PLN ~ 0.24 EUR). Card payments (inc. contactless) are widely available. Mobile internet is fast (5G) across Warsaw (and cheap for guests from EU). Emergency number is 112.
CAMK is located at Bartycka street number 18, and can be reached by public buses 108 and 167. Information about the public transport in Warsaw can be found at https://www.wtp.waw.pl/en/public-transport-in-warsaw/. Routes and timetables with live status can be found in several apps, tickets can be purchased in machines inside each vehicle. Wireless internet is provided via eduroam.
Warsaw is served by the Chopin Airport (WAW) located just 8 km from the city center. Various taxis and rides are available, should be used with caution. The Chopin Airport is officially served by selected companies, their prices are comparable. Public bus 175 and trains S2/S3 connect the airport with the city center.
