Global PANOPTES Update Oct 2025

PANOPTES Worldwide Project — Monthly Summary

The PANOPTES Project continues to expand its global reach, uniting partners and student teams around the world — with particularly strong growth and enthusiasm across Africa.

Highlight of the Month

We were deeply honoured to be invited by EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, to take part in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the first discovery of an exoplanet by Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz, Nobel Prize laureates in Physics. The original discovery was announced on October 6, 1995, marking a turning point in modern astronomy.

The invitation included an exclusive lunch organized by the Chair of Physics at EPFL and Achille Bach, President of Callista, the astronomy association at EPFL and a leading organizer of the PANOPTES initiative on campus. Alongside Michel Mayor, we had the great pleasure of Claude Nicollier — astronaut and long-time supporter of PANOPTES — joining us at the event. Achille Bach and his colleague Lynette Martin moderated the discussions, featuring Paul Dyson and other distinguished speakers who are spearheading Cheops and Plato.

Regional & Global Updates

The Bhutan Initiative continues to develop, with students and educators leading remarkable work in both scientific and creative domains — a testament to the power of youth-led astronomy. Please see the featured video, a Bhutan Student production!

Meanwhile, Joe Wise, educator and IPanoptes Initiative Mentor has been invited to India to support the creation of a new PANOPTES unit, expanding the project’s educational and observational footprint in South Asia.

🛰️ Looking Ahead

We are currently developing a PANOPTES magazine, a publication designed to showcase contributions from students, faculty, and partners — blending science, art, and global perspectives.

At the end of this month, our team will also meet with donors in Switzerland, with the support of Claude Nicollier, whose vision and encouragement continue to inspire the PANOPTES community.