The course "Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology" went on an educational trip on Hanukkah to Mitzpe Ramon
led by course lecturer Ehud Behar and teaching assistant Roi Rahin.
The students visited the Wise Observatory, the largest observatory in Israel located on the edge of the Ramon Crater with a 1 meter telescope, and visited D-MARS (Desert Mars Analog Ramon Station), a space analog research center in which analog astronauts go on a scientific journey of exploration that simulates an actual mission on the surface of the planet Mars. The location of D-MARS was chosen due to the similarities between Mitzpe Ramon’s geological features and those of Mars.
The students described the event as "a very interesting learning experience. We were privileged to see the Wise Telescope up close and learn how it operates, as well as being exposed to the interesting D-MARS mission. The highlight of the trip for most of us “urban students“ was the stargazing“.