News

KuupKulgur, an Estonian lunar rover platform co-developed by Tartu Observatory and MTÜ KuupKulgur, reached a significant milestone in Estonia’s space robotics journey when it recently became the first Estonian-developed rover platform to operate at the unique lunar replica site, the ESA-DLR LUNA facility in Cologne, Germany.

At the Tartu Observatory of the University of Tartu, the optical periscopic imager for comets OPIC was completed and will be handed over to the European Space Agency (ESA).

European Doctoral Day is held on 13 May to inspire students to pursue doctoral education, increase employers’ awareness of the value of doctoral degrees, and showcase the diverse career opportunities.

On 15 May, from 10:15 to 11:45, he gives a public lecture “Applying for ERC grants. The future of European research” in the building of the Institute of Cultural Research (Ülikooli 16–216).

This spring, the University of Tartu opens 192 doctoral positions. Everyone who wants to gain new knowledge and pursue a career as a researcher, top specialist, or manager is welcome to apply. Doctoral researchers are employed as junior research fellows so they can dedicate themselves full-time to research.

On 29 April, Denim Day will be marked in Estonia for the first time to express support for survivors of sexual violence and to emphasise that no choice of clothing ever constitutes consent. Everyone is invited to wear jeans on this day as a sign of solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

This spring, the University of Tartu opens 192 doctoral positions. Everyone who wants to gain new knowledge and pursue a career as a researcher, top specialist, or manager is welcome to apply.

From 20 April, all University of Tartu staff and students will receive an email invitation to participate in a study that aims to provide an overview of attitudes, knowledge and experiences related to sexual harassment, workplace bullying and discrimination at the university.

From 24 April, Eveliis Padar will start work at the university as an equality officer to support university members in cases of unequal treatment and to help handle them in a fair and professional manner.

At its public meeting on Friday, 20 February, the council of Tartu Observatory unanimously elected Antti Tamm to continue his duties as director of the institute.

On Thursday, 12 March at 11:00, the University of Tartu Museum will host the presentation of Spinning the Cosmic Web, a major new monograph by Academician Jaan Einasto, Honorary Doctor of the University of Tartu and one of the world’s most influential astrophysicists. The event will take place in the White Hall of the University of Tartu Museum.

Preliminary results of the International Student Barometer (ISB) show that international students are satisfied with their studies at the University of Tartu. They highlight strong academic quality, supportive learning conditions and the city of Tartu as an excellent living environment.

On 19 January 2026, stellar physicists from Tartu Observatory, University of Tartu and the Thuringian State Observatory Tautenburg (TLS) held a kick-off meeting to initiate a new international collaboration “Building Up A Network To Study Hot Planets Of Hot Stars”.

The Winter Satellite Workshop is the leading New Space event in Finland, Scandinavia, and the Baltic region. It brings together multiple space-focused events under one umbrella, creating a unique forum for collaboration and exchange. The workshop unites space technology experts, scientists, and students to explore emerging topics in the rapidly evolving space sector. Its scope covers New Space developments, small satellite missions and platforms, space science and instrumentation, Earth observation, and the sustainable use of space.

We wish our university community and friends a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

The European Space Agency and the University of Tartu have signed an agreement to develop the ESTCube-3 satellite. This is a major step forward in advancing Estonia’s space technology and cybersecurity, providing students and researchers with the opportunity to practise satellite control and operations. ESTCube-3 is planned for launch by early 2029.

Applications for the doctoral programme are open until January 31, 2026.

With the annual awards, the university aims to recognise its employees’ and students’ outstanding achievements in teaching, doing research and serving society.

On 6–7 November, the Tartu Observatory of the University of Tartu hosted the kick-off meeting of the international research collaboration project E-Sailors (The Electric Solar Wind Sail Doctors).

The Tartu Observatory of the University of Tartu has made remarkable progress over the past three years in the study of exoplanets – planets outside our Solar System. In collaboration with University College London, Uppsala University, and the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the observatory’s researchers have acquired new expertise in modern spectroscopy and the use of machine learning, bringing Estonian science to the forefront of international research.