History

Since 1996, the Graduate Program of the National Observatory has been organizing advanced courses in astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology called "Special Course Cycles" (CCE). The courses are held annually at the ON's headquarters, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and in each Cycle current topics from three or four different areas of astronomy are focused. This feature is unique in this type of events in Brazil, since similar events are held with a smaller periodicity and are usually dedicated to a single topic.

The CCE is usually composed of three or four courses, always taught by internationally renowned researchers with recognized didactic competence. The duration of the event is one week, and each course has a workload of approximately 8 hours.

The CCE's expenses are mostly financed through resources from the budget of the National Observatory, the Graduate Support Program - PROAP/CAPES and the Event Support Program - PAEP/CAPES.

Although the main target audience is graduate students, the event also allows for an update of ON researchers, as well as favors an increase in scientific cooperation. In addition, every year a greater number of students from other Brazilian and Latin American institutes have participated in the courses, making the ON a pole of attraction for astronomy students and researchers from all over Brazil and South America.

Since 1996, the Graduate Program of the National Observatory has organized advanced courses in astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology, known as the Special Courses Cycle (CCE). The courses are held annually at the ON headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, and each Cycle focuses on current topics from three or four distinct areas of astronomy. This feature makes the event unique in Brazil, as similar events occur less frequently and are usually dedicated to a single topic.

The CCE typically consists of three or four courses, always taught by internationally renowned researchers with recognized teaching expertise. The event lasts one week, and each course has a workload of approximately 8 hours.

The CCE is largely funded by resources from the budget of the National Observatory, the Graduate Support Program – PROEX/CAPES, and the FAPERJ grant for the organization of scientific events (APQ2).

Although the primary audience is graduate students, the event also provides an opportunity for ON researchers to update their knowledge and fosters increased scientific collaboration. Furthermore, each year a growing number of students from other Brazilian and Latin American institutions take part in the courses, making ON a hub of attraction for astronomy students and researchers from across Brazil and South America.

The record of past editions of the CCE can be found at:
https://www.gov.br/observatorio/pt-br/assuntos/programas-academicos/pos-graduacao-em-astronomia/ciclo-de-cursos-especiais