This meeting will convene the Europlanet Executive Board, chairs of Regional Hubs, Committees and Working Groups and other key stakeholders of Europlanet. We will discuss Europlanet's position, key issues and our strategy going forward.

All participants are invited to join the icebreaker reception.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating art installation 'Becoming Red Dust' developed by artist Hung Lu Chan to experience what it feels like to be dust lofted by the winds on planet Mars.

Who has never wondered at the beauty of an astronomy picture or in front of a painting? The Artistry of nature inspire scientists, and Science inspire artists. Beyond the usual scientific topics, the Europlanet Science Congress proposes an art exhibition to explore this duality. For the whole duration of the EPSC2026, you can stroll through Open Amare and view the Planetary Art Exhibition featuring artworks from EPSC2026 participants, the local dutch amateur astronomer community, and artists.

If you posses yourself an artistic fiber for visual art, you can submit your artwork until the Sunday 16th of August to be exhibited during the congress. More info at https://www.europlanet.org/epsc2026-art-exhibition/

Care for a walk? What better way to explore The Hague than following a route across a Solar System to scale? This city walk starts with the Sun at the steps of EPSC in Amare, taking you on a scenic route across the city (on foot or by bike) to reach Pluto on the steps to the beach at Scheveningen. On the way you can pass top sights like the palace gardens, Peace Palace and might even be able to spot the Girl with the Pearl Earring. Infused with historical and scientific facts, this planet trail will bring EPSC to the city of peace and justice and highlight The Hague's planetary allure.

The Opening Ceremony provides an overview of the forthcoming week of EPSC, as well as providing an opportunity for the Local Organizing Committee and Europlanet to welcome all delegates. We will also present some details on Europlanet with opportunities for delegates to join and help build the Society. The Opening Ceremony will end with the prize lecture of the winners of the Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement 2026.

The EPSC stakeholders forum follows successful events at previous EPSC meetings, when it was often called ‘Agency Night’. With a set of panellists from funders, agencies and other key stakeholders supporting international planetary and space research, the meeting provides delegates with the opportunity to both listen to views and updates from key stakeholders, to ask questions and to represent views and opinions of the community to key influencers.

The Europlanet General Assembly is the annual forum for Europlanet members (and non-members) to learn about the activities of Europlanet, which also runs EPSC and was integral to the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure. To learn about our activities, plans for the future, and how you can get involved in the Society's activities, please join the General Assembly.
A limited number of sandwiches will be provided to General Assembly attendees during the assembly.

The Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement recognises the effort and excellence of initiatives to promote planetary sciences towards the public and schools. It promotes the outreach and education work of individuals or organisations. The 2026 recipient will receive their prize on the lightning stage and give a brief overview of their work.

Medal lecture given by Ana Catalina Plesa (DLR Berlin)

Title: Exploring the Interior Evolution of Rocky Planets: From Models to Observations

Studying the interiors of rocky planets like Mercury, the Moon, Mars, and Venus places our own planet, Earth, within a broader planetary context and teaches us about the diversity of evolutionary paths a rocky planet may follow. Planetary missions that have collected data on these Solar System bodies have provided key information on past and present geological processes. Large-scale numerical thermal evolution models have become a powerful approach to study the interior of planetary bodies within our Solar System and beyond. These models explore the interior evolution that largely shapes the volcanic and tectonic features we observe today. When paired with data from planetary missions and laboratory experiments, such models help us refine our understanding of the history and present-day state of planetary interiors.

Guided tours of the Huygens residence and gardens in Voorburg and a lecture on Huygens' Cosmotheoros. (Signup and organization via museum)

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/step-into-the-world-of-christiaan-huygens-tickets-1993920982333?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us for a candid round table exploring how current events and political environments are shaping diversity and inclusion efforts across our planetary science community. Be part of an open conversation that connects lived experience, challenges, and practical ways to strengthen inclusion in changing times.

Medal lecture given by Francesca Miozzi (ETH Zurich)

Title: The role of experiments in connecting planetary observables to their interior structure and chemistry

Abstract: The chemistry and properties of the mineralogical phases present in planetary interiors play a fundamental role in their evolution, deeply affecting their characteristics, large scale properties and consequently their observables from space. In this lecture we will explore the existing link between interior properties and observable quantities. We will show how changes in the mineralogy and chemistry of the interior, reflect on the planet's structure and properties, and we will discuss the fundamental role that experiments play in interpreting remote sensing observations.

Europlanet is dedicated to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. This year, EPSC organizes a "Queer networking lunch" to create a supportive space where LGBTQ+ individuals can find and connect with peers. The goal is to have the opportunity to share experiences to combat isolation. We then have an open discussion about specific issues encounted where everyone is invited to share professional or personal resources.

All members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community are welcome to bring their own lunch and join the networking event.

If the weather is favourable, the meeting point will be at the International Homomonument, located at the Koekamp park, a short 10 minutes walk from Amare. The location in case of bad weather is 4A.04, Spui, TUDelft. You can ask at the EPEC/Europlanet stand for any clarification/confirmation.

Medal lecture given by Agustín Sánchez-Lavega (UPV/EHU Bilbao)

Title: Saturn Superstorms: The Great White Spot Phenomenon

In the history of telescopic observations of Saturn, only six cases of the phenomenon known as Great Whit Spots (GWS) have been reported, in years 1876, 1903, 1933, 1960 and 2010, all of them in the northern hemisphere. A GWS is a gigantic convective storm that erupts and remains active for one or two months, generating a disturbance that propagates horizontally along the parallels, in accordance with the prevailing winds, encircling the entire planet. The disturbance also spans vertically over several hundred kilometres. We present the observations of these superstorms and the models developed to date to interpret them.

The first version of The Dwarf Planets was composed by Huib Henrichs in 2009 for piano. The unique character pieces were given names from the (candidate) Dwarf Planets known at the time, whose cultural mythologies matched the music. They were performed on many occasions by several pianists. After having heard The Dwarf Planets on the literature festival ‘Meet me at the Lighthouse’ in 2022, the Dutch poet Gerard Beentjes kindly asked permission to write poetry based on these diverse character vignettes, which resulted in an even tighter connection between the music, astronomy, and the mythology. In 2024, artist Vera Bruggeman, who worked with Gerard before, got inspired as well and crafted eight mythologically related vibrant paintings. This joined performance, with professional pianist Gerrie Meijers, provided a wonderful stage. Professional flutist Janneke Groesz added a new dimension to the Symphony by accompanying the latest edition for piano and piccolo/flute, especially arranged for this occasion. The music has been described as ‘neoclassic, but accessible’.

Enjoy some stroopwafels with your acquaintances, new and old, before bidding adieu. This event is convened by the Local Organising Committee Chairs to acknowledge their outstanding contribution to the EPSC2026.

You are cordially invited to join the social event at Patagonia Beach on Wednesday evening. From 19.00 to 23.00 hrs Patagonia Beach will welcome EPSC to enjoy the Scheveningen beachfront, where a BBQ dinner (buffet) will allow you to unwind from the buzz of the conference. Meet up with friends and socialize with colleagues while enjoying the breeze of the North Sea and the sounds of the breaking surf. Patagonia Beach is a pavilion where the cooking is done with passion, making use as much as possible of organic and sustainable products. Registration required: During the registration for EPSC you can also register for the social dinner. The BBQ buffet at the beach dinner also has vegetarian options and can accommodate your dietary wishes: please indicate your preference during registration. Welcome snacks, a buffet, and four tokens for drinks are included in the price.

Discover the eclipse through the eyes of the EPSC community and share your own!

August 2026 brought a beautiful celestial event with the solar eclipse visible across most of Europe, at least partially. Relive this unique moment and share your own experience of it with the rest of the EPSC 2026 attendees! Go to the Europlanet stand to print your photo of the eclipse and pin it to our giant map of Europe to create a European snapshot of this

Bring your creativity to EPSC2026 and contribute to a colourful planetary science art mosaic!

Following the success of the craft activity last year, the Europlanet Outreach Working Group, with the support of the Swiss Society for Astronomy and Astrophysics, invites EPSC 2026 attendees to contribute to a collaborative art piece during the congress week.

Head to the Europlanet booth, pick up a blank hexagonal tile, and let your creativity flow with the help colored pens. When you finish your tile, you can add it to those of other participants, building together a unique mosaic focusing on planetary sciences!