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The Royal Observatory of Belgium is an internationally renowned research institute with recognised expertise in the study of planet Earth and other nearby or remote objects in the Universe. Astronomy, astrophysics, planetology, geophysics, seismology, gravimetry, spatial geodesy and solar physics constitute the main research fields of the Obsercomprising the Observatory.vatory.

As a public institute, the Royal Observatory of Belgium also provides scientific services to the scientific community, to the public, to the government and to the whole society. Such services include time service, management of the Belgian seismic network, integration in international reference systems of the Belgian GNSS stations (Global Navigation Satellite Systems such as GPS and Galileo), gravimetric measures, continuous monitoring of the solar activity, space weather forecasts and diffusion of information related to astronomical phenomena.

The Royal Observatory of Belgium also manages the Planetarium at the Heysel site in Brussels, which is also the public showcase of the 3 Federal Scientific Institutes of the Space Pole, of which the Observatory is a part.

The Royal Observatory of Belgium is the host institute of Soapbox Science Brussels and supports Soapbox Science Brussels for all its activities.

The Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB) is a Belgian federal scientific research institute. Its main tasks are research and public service in space aeronomy, which is the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere of the Earth and other solar system bodies, and of outer space. It studies the impact of the Sun, nature and mankind on atmospheric changes.

This Belgian knowledge centre has the required competences to elaborate all elements of a space mission to perform a complete study of an aeronomic problem: the formulation of research objectives, the consequent instrument and space mission design, the derivation of satellite data products, their validation and geophysical exploitation, including modelling and service development. All its activities have one goal in common: the broadening of our knowledge of the atmospheres of celestial bodies. Improved knowledge is indispensable to better inform the citizen and policymakers and to find answers to the societal challenges concerning the natural environment we live in.

Discover BIRA-IASB at https://www.aeronomie.be/ or https://youtu.be/Z3dnJRWtPhY

The Federal Science Policy is one of the main players in scientific research in Belgium. It brings together a number of prestigious research programmes and also manages ten federal scientific establishments.

The 10 federal scientific establishments managed by BELSPO – which include the Royal Observatory of Belgium and the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy – are brimming with riches and offer scientists not only an exceptional framework and research materials, but also world-class artistic and historical collections.

BELSPO brings together a wealth of expertise in a wide range of fields, including astronomy, astrophysics, meteorology, history, art history, palaeontology, meteorology, mineralogy, musicology, seismology, gravimetry, climatology, anthropology, earth sciences, archivistics, conservation, restoration, information sciences, codicology, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, cartography and molecular biology. ..

At BELSPO, science and culture are intertwined to develop a more sustainable and harmonious society. In this way, BELSPO contributes to knowledge of the environment to promote progress in the well-being of society and ensure its sustainable development.

For several years now, BELSPO has had a Gender Mainstreaming , as well as a plan for Gender Equality.

Basic research in life sciences is VIB’s raison d’être. VIB is an independent research institute where some 1,500 top scientists from Belgium and abroad conduct pioneering basic research. As such, they are pushing the boundaries of what we know about molecular mechanisms and how they rule living organisms such as human beings, animals, plants and microorganisms. Based on a close partnership with five Flemish universities – Ghent University, KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Hasselt University – and supported by a solid funding program, VIB unites the expertise of all its collaborators and research groups in a single institute. VIB’s technology transfer activities translate research results into concrete benefits for society such as new diagnostics and therapies and agricultural innovations. These applications are often developed by young start-ups from VIB or through collaborations with other companies. This also leads to additional employment and bridges the gap between scientific research and entrepreneurship. VIB also engages actively in the public debate on biotechnology by developing and disseminating a wide range of science-based information. More info can be found on www.vib.be or on @VIBLifesciences.

The Europlanet Benelux Hub aims to promote planetary sciences at a regional level considering its infrastructures, community, industry and research opportunities. It is part of the Europlanet Society, which promotes the advancement of European planetary science and related fields for the benefit of the community.

Visit the Benelux Hub website.