A Scientific Symposium in Honor of J. Anton Zensus
July 21–22 | Universitätsclub Bonn | Participation by invitation only
In July 2026, leading scientists and long-standing collaborators will convene in Bonn to celebrate—and continue—the scientific legacy of Prof. J. Anton Zensus, who served as Director at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy from 1997 until January 2026 and now continues his engagement with the institute as Emeritus Director.
Over nearly three decades in Bonn—and during earlier appointments at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Charlottesville and Socorro, as well as at the California Institute of Technology—Anton Zensus has shaped modern radio astronomy. His scientific vision and leadership have influenced generations of researchers and advanced our understanding of the most energetic phenomena in the Universe.
Equally defining has been his role as a mentor to dozens of early-career scientists and as an architect of international collaborations that transcend institutional and national boundaries. This meeting is both a celebration and a conversation—an invitation to reflect on where radio astronomy has come from, and where, together, we can take it next.
Rationale and Structure of the Meeting
The event is conceived in two complementary parts, reflecting both the scientific depth and the broader human and institutional dimensions of Anton Zensus’ career.
Part I: Scientific Meeting
Day 1 and until noon of Day 2 — 75 invited participants
The first part is designed as a focused scientific workshop highlighting the key research themes that have defined Anton Zensus’ work. Central to this legacy is the study of active galactic nuclei (AGN), their relativistic jets, and the physics of their central supermassive black holes.
A hallmark of this research has been the development and application of very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) at the highest angular resolutions. Observations with space-borne antennas, the Global mm-VLBI Array, and the Event Horizon Telescope have enabled transformative insights into jet formation, collimation, and black hole environments—complemented by single-dish observations and multi-wavelength and multi-messenger studies across the electromagnetic spectrum and beyond.
The workshop aims to provide forward-looking scientific perspectives inspired by these achievements. By bringing together leading experts and long-standing collaborators, it will highlight current challenges, emerging methodologies, and future opportunities in high-resolution astrophysics and black hole research.
Part II: Symposium on Science Policy and Academic Culture
Afternoon and Evening of Day 2 — 100 invited guests — followed by reception
How does transformative science actually happen? What conditions allow individuals and institutions to build knowledge across borders, nurture talent, and shape the scientific culture of an entire field?
This symposium steps back from the telescope and asks these broader questions. Drawing on the experience and reflections of Anton Zensus and his peers, it will explore:
- Science as a collaborative and international endeavor
- Mentorship and the development of scientific talent
- Leadership in large research infrastructures and global collaborations
- The role of research institutes in shaping science policy and public engagement
These themes reflect Anton Zensus’ long-standing commitment not only to scientific excellence, but also to building communities, fostering international partnerships, and promoting knowledge across institutional and national boundaries.
The symposium will conclude with a reception, offering participants an opportunity for informal exchange and shared celebration
This two-part event honors a career that has combined scientific innovation, institutional leadership, and dedication to mentoring. By connecting cutting-edge astrophysics with reflections on science policy and academic culture, the meeting celebrates not only past achievements but also the continuing vitality of the scientific enterprise that Prof. Zensus has helped to shape.
This meeting is both a celebration and a conversation—an invitation to reflect on where radio astronomy has come from, and where, together, we can take it next.