XXV Gamow International Astronomical Conference

“Astronomy and beyond: Astrophysics, Cosmology and Gravitation, Astroparticle Physics, Radioastronomy, Astrobiology and Genetics”

17–21 August, 2026, Odesa, Ukraine

The 2026 conference is dedicated to the 122st anniversary of the birth of the outstanding scientist George Gamow. Gamow was a prominent figure in the scientific revolution of the 20th century, and his legacy stands alongside such names as Einstein, Bohr, Rutherford, and Planck. His unique “Gamow style” continues to inspire scientists through both his profound ideas and his playful approach to serious problems.

This year also marks the 26th anniversary of the annual Gamow Conferences held in Odesa — the city of Gamow’s birth, education, and early scientific steps. These conferences carry forward the traditions initiated by Gamow at the University of Washington (1935–1942).

The Gamow Medal, awarded by ONU, and the Gamow Prize (established by NAS of Ukraine in 2022) are direct outcomes of this tradition. A square in Odesa is named after Gamow, and a commemorative plaque on the university honors his legacy.

The Gamow Prize for outstanding achievements in the field of the theory of fundamental interactions, astrophysics, and cosmology has been awarded in 2026 to аcademician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Yurii Izotov, chief researcher at the M.M. Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics of the NAS of Ukraine, and Dr. of physical and mathematical sciences Nataliia Huseva, chief researcher at the same institute. The Prize was awarded for a series of works that demonstrated the capability of dwarf galaxies to drive the reionization of the intergalactic medium.

Notable Anniversaries in 2026:

  • 80th Anniversary of the promotion of the concept of the “hot Universe” by G.A. Gamow.
  • 155th Anniversary Astronomical observatory of Odesa I.I. Mechnikov National University.
  • 115th Anniversary Academician S.Y. Braude – the founder of Radio Astronomy in Ukraine.
  • 70 years since the beginning of radio astronomy research in Ukraine.
  • 75th Anniversary of the Discovery of the 21 cm Atomic Neutral Hydrogen Radio Line.
  • 110th Birth Anniversary of the famous astrophysicist and popularizer of science I.S.Shklovsky, born in Ukraine.
  • 455th Birth Anniversary of one of the founders of modern natural science, astronomer I. Kepler

Sections:

  1. Cosmology, gravitation, astroparticle physics, high energy physics.
  2. Astrophysics 1: nucleosynthesis, stellar atmospheres, kinematics, structure and chemical evolution of the Galaxy
  3. Astrophysics 2: Interacting Binary Systems and Variable Stars
  4. Extragalactic astronomy and Astroinformatics
  5. Radio astronomy
  6. Sun, Solar activity, Solar-terrestrial relations and Astrobiology
  7. Solar System, Exoplanets and Near-Earth astronomy
  8. Biologic section “Gamow’s ideas in 21st century biology”
  9. Astronomical education, Astronomy Outreach
    • Subsection: Astronomical Education and Astronomy Outreach
    • Subsection: Planetariums in Ukraine

George Gamow

The Conference Program will be organized in the form of on-line sessions and will include:

  • Plenary reports on anniversaries
  • Plenary sessions in the form of 30-40 minute reports
  • Section meetings with 15-20 minute reports
  • The affiliate sections and subsections
  • Discussions

Files for download:

    • The first announcement is available here.

    Conference video overview can be found here.

    Gamow-2021a
    XXI-th conference group photo, Odessa, 2021.

    Contact us if you have any questions.