CHEOPS Science Team Meeting #40
22–24 September 2026 | Aula Magna, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
Organised by the ELTE Gothard Astrophysical Observatory & Multidisciplinary Research Centre
Update on 4th September 2026: Details on Social Events, and Public Transport
https://forms.gle/ryMnhxwyNRjak3PF9
About the Meeting
The 40th CHEOPS Science Team Meeting will be held in Budapest, Hungary, from 22 to 24 September 2026. The meeting will take place in the historic Aula Magna of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), located in the heart of Budapest's city centre and main tourist district.
CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite) is the first ESA Small-class mission dedicated to characterising known exoplanets via high-precision photometry of transits and occultations.
The meeting is hosted by the ELTE Gothard Astrophysical Observatory and Multidisciplinary Research Centre, Szombathely.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 30 June 2026 | Registration deadline (first round) |
| TBA | Second registration round opens |
| TBA | Programme announced |
| 22–24 September 2026 | CHEOPS Science Team Meeting #40, Budapest |
Scientific Programme
The scientific programme will be announced in due course. Speakers are selected by the CHEOPS Science Team programme committee.
| Day | Date | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | To be announced -- will be sent via e-mail |
| Day 2 | Wednesday, 23 September 2026 | To be announced -- will be sent via e-mail |
| Day 3 | Thursday, 24 September 2026 | To be announced -- will be sent via e-mail |
Social Events
The scientific sessions will be accompanied by a number of social activities providing further opportunities for discussion and interaction within the CHEOPS community. Activities currently under consideration include:
- Guided tour of the Hungarian Parliament Building: planned after 11 AM on Day 1 (on Tuesday, 22 September)
- Amphibious sightseeing tour of Budapest: planned after 6 PM on Day 2 (on Wednesday, 23 September)
- Other opportunities to explore the city (to be announced)
Conference dinner: Following CHEOPS STM tradition, the dinner is planned for the evening of 23 September at a distinctive venue in central Budapest. The venue is currently being selected and will be announced in due course.
In the current registration form, participants are kindly asked to indicate their interest and expected availability for the proposed activities.
Venue
The meeting will take place in the Aula Magna of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), in the heart of Budapest's inner city, within easy reach of hotels, restaurants, and public transport connections.
Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)
Egyetem tér 1–3
1053 Budapest, Hungary
The venue is located in the 5th district (Belváros), Budapest's historic inner city. A wide range of hotels and other accommodation options are available within walking distance or a short journey from the venue. Specific recommendations will be provided in a later announcement.
Getting There and Around
By air: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (IATA: BUD) is the main international gateway. The city centre is approximately 30-40 minutes from the airport by taxi or the Airport Shuttle (100E bus to Deák Ferenc tér).
By train: Budapest is well connected by international rail services. Keleti, Nyugati, and Déli railway stations serve routes from Vienna, Prague, and other European cities. The venue is easily reachable from all three stations by metro or tram.
By public transport in Budapest: The venue is served by metro lines M3 (Ferenciek tere) and M4 (Kálvin tér), as well as several tram and bus lines running through the inner city. See Public Transport in Budapest below for tickets, passes, and the airport transfer.
Public Transport in Budapest
Budapest has an extensive, inexpensive public transport network (metro, trams, trolleybuses, buses, and the HÉV suburban railway) operated by BKK (Budapesti Közlekedési Központ).
- BudapestGO app. BKK's official app for journey planning and for buying tickets and passes: Android · iOS. Tickets and passes bought in the app are ready to use about two minutes after purchase.
- Recommended pass: the 72-hour Budapest travelcard (Budapest 72 órás jegy). It allows unlimited travel for 72 hours from a start time you choose, on the metro (M1 - M4), trams, trolleybuses, buses, and the HÉV suburban railway within the city boundary — enough to cover the whole meeting if activated on the first morning. Fares and conditions.
- Airport transfer. The 100E Airport Express to Deák Ferenc tér is not covered by the travelcard and needs a dedicated airport shuttle single ticket. The regular 200E bus + M3 metro route into the centre is covered by the 72-hour travelcard.
- Reaching the venue. The nearest metro stations are M3 Ferenciek tere and M4 Kálvin tér, each about a five-minute walk from the Aula Magna (Egyetem tér). Several tram and bus lines also run through the inner city.
- Paper tickets and passes. If you would rather not use the app, tickets and passes are sold at BKK vending machines and ticket offices across the city (where to buy, sales point map). Single paper tickets must be validated on boarding; multi-day travelcards do not need validating.
Accommodation
Hotel recommendations and further logistical details will be provided in a later announcement from the Local Organising Committee. (Details to follow.)
Local Organising Committee
- Gyula M. Szabó
- András Bókon
- Izabella Krencsey-Élő
Contact
For enquiries regarding the meeting, registration, or logistics, please contact the Local Organising Committee:
Email: cheops.stm.40@gmail.com
