Commission on Astrophysics

The Astrophysics Commission disseminates the latest developments in observational and theoretical astronomy to the Polish academic community – particularly within PAU Kraków. Its interests in observational astronomy span the entire spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, from radio waves, infrared, and optical radiation to X-rays and gamma rays. With the development of methods for the detection of high-energy cosmic rays, and in recent years the detection of solar neutrinos and cosmic gravitational waves, these issues have been the subject of a number of the commission’s meetings and will receive due attention in the future. The commission understands theoretical astronomy to mean the application of branches of theoretical physics such as quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, relativity theory, nuclear physics, and particle physics to the description of various astrophysical phenomena – both observed and theoretically predicted. Recently, there have been appreciable advances in celestial mechanics – particularly in respect of the dynamics of the Solar System – and these findings are also of interest to the commission.
The commission gathers once every month. The intention of the meetings is to bring together the community of astronomers and physicists involved in, or at least interested in, astrophysics. The talks, lectures, and papers are usually followed by lively discussions. The papers delivered at the commission’s meetings have been appearing under the PAU publishing imprint for many years.  The commission offers its full and active support to all educational initiatives connected with astrophysics.
On the initiative of commission members, a masters-level specialisation in astrophysics was launched at the Jagiellonian University in 1997, which continues to be offered today at the same level under the title, Astrophysics and Cosmology.
Commission members take an active part in organising the astrophysics seminars that take place every Wednesday at the Jagiellonian University’s Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science.

Commission Members

Commission on Technical Sciences

The commission was established in 2003 thanks to the initiative, organisational ability, and inspiration provided by PAU member Roman Ciesielski. It is made up of seven sections: civil engineering and construction; mechanical engineering and technology; ceramic engineering and technology; computer science, automation and robotics, metallurgy and materials engineering; mining and energy; biocybernetics, and biomedical engineering. The commission has set itself the task of intensifying the cross-fertilisation of ideas and methods between technical sciences and other fields of science and art. This can inspire research that underpins technical progress and the popularisation of the technical achievements that are part of our everyday lives. It would also be a source of satisfaction to the commission if its activities served to bring together representatives of the various fields of technology and if, through them, it were able to influence the integration of the technical sciences within society as a whole.
The commission meets both for plenary sessions and gatherings of the sections. Following the death of Roman Ciesielski in 2004, Ryszard Tadeusiewicz was selected as chair of the commission. His successor, who took up the post in 2009, was PAU member Zbigniew Moser.
The activities of the commission followed the same pattern under his leadership. At this time, however, activity in the sections was in decline.
When in 2011 Zenon Waszczyszyn became chair of the commission, its members abandoned its sectional structure and it began operating as a single body.  In this configuration it has carried out both general tasks for technical sciences and specific activities in the fields of: energy engineering; computer science, automation and robotics; civil engineering; mechanical engineering, and materials science since 2016.
The position of chair of the Technical Sciences Commission, which functions within the structure of Faculty III Science and Technology, was taken up by Kazimierz Furtak in 2016.

Commission Members

Commission on Complex Systems

The commission was formed in 2012. Its aim is to create an interdisciplinary scientific forum at PAU dealing with complex systems and enabling discussion and flow of information between representatives of a number of disciplines dealing with different aspects of complexity, such as mathematics, physics, biophysics, astronomy, and social sciences. The rapid development of information technology in recent decades now makes it possible to rapidly acquire, collect, and analyse data on vast complex systems of the following types: strongly correlated systems with many degrees of freedom, the internet, social networks, ecological systems, telecommunications networks, genetic networks, neural networks, and the brain. The universal laws governing such systems, which arise from their complexity and the collective interaction of their individual elements, are the subject of much interdisciplinary research within this new and rapidly developing field of knowledge.
The commission meets every six weeks and all those interested are welcome to attend.  The meetings can also be attended online. If you are interested in this means of access, please contact the chair or secretary.

Commission Members