Strong public turnout during the Lange Nacht der Forschung

With more than one hundred scientists volunteering and a wide variety of activities on offer, the Faculty of Physics recorded a remarkable number of visitors across all its locations during this year’s Lange Nacht der Forschung.

“What can we see here?” was a question heard time and again from visitors on Friday, April 24, 2026. The answer was anything but simple. From interactive stations—where researchers presented their work—to engaging talks, guided science walks, and numerous lab tours, the Faculty offered a rich and diverse program. Activities were spread across four different locations and continued until 23:00.

The evening proved to be a success on multiple levels. Most notably, visitor numbers exceeded expectations: more than 2,000 guests attended the Sternwarte, around 1,700 visited the Faculty building at Strudlhofgasse, 541 people explored the VERA laboratory, and over 4,700 attended events at the University’s main building.
Equally striking was the diversity of the audience. Families, alumni, curious passersby, and members of the wider public all came together to experience firsthand what physicists study and how research shapes our understanding of the world.

Such a large-scale event would not have been possible without the dedication of the many scientists who volunteered their time, as well as the invaluable support of administrative staff.

Following the success of the 2026 edition, we already look forward with great anticipation to the next Lange Nacht der Forschung in 2028.