Bohr's Copenhagen: Physics past and future: Denmark

2024 - 6 days 

Register now at tours@newscientist.com and we will contact you soon with full tour details. 

The scientific work of Copenhagen’s Nobel laureate Niels Bohr allowed us to better understand the structure of the atom and quantum theory. His impact on the modern world is vast. On this New Scientist Discovery Tour, you will be able to visit the institutes and sites where Bohr formulated his theories and research, uncovering a rich history of scientific developments not only from Bohr, but from a whole host of Danish scientists including Tycho Brahe and Ole Rømer. Today, Copenhagen is a bustling city with trendy markets, shops, art, natural spaces, impressive architecture and laid-back people. Get under the skin of Copenhagen’s scientific heritage as you explore the city and hear from a raft of experts, accompanied by a guest speaker from New Scientist.

In partnership with Kirker Holidays.

DAY 1: ARRIVE COPENHAGEN AND WELCOME DINNER

Arrive into Copenhagen. After a welcome dinner with the accompanying guest speaker and your tour leader, you will be given a brief history of Bohr's research and an outline of the days ahead.

DAY 2: COPENHAGEN CITY TOUR, ROSENBORG CASTLE, RUNDTORN AND SORØ

Today, you will spend the day exploring Copenhagen’s scientific heritage. Some of the sights you will see include Rosenborg Castle in central Copenhagen, which is a typical northern European Renaissance castle and well worth a visit. The basement treasury holds some of astronomer Ole Rømer’s scientific pieces along with the Crown Jewels.

You will also visit the round tower, where the astronomer Ole Rømer was first to prove that light travels at a finite speed. The tower is located in central Copenhagen and was built as an observatory in 1642 and is unique for its spiral structure. After this, you will continue to the observatory in Østervold, which was in use for 135 years, with statue of Astronomer Tycho Brahe outside.

After lunch, you will head to Sorø, approximately 1 hour south of Copenhagen to visit Hauchs Physiske Cabinet, a beautiful and very interesting collection of scientific instruments collected in the late 18th century. Over dinner, our guest speaker will explore the science behind Bohr's work and its application in the modern world.

DAY 3: CARLSBERG FOUNDATION, NATIONAL ACADEMY, NIELS BOHR INSTITUTE AND THE NATIONAL SPACE INSTITUTE

In the morning, you will head to the Carlsberg Foundation, where Niels Bohr once lived and worked. You will be given a private guided tour of the foundation, which also houses the National Academy, and learn more about Niels Bohr’s life and work, as well as the foundation’s philanthropy and get an insight into the support it offers to scientific research through its grants.

In the afternoon, you are invited to the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen, where you will have a tour of the archives. The institute celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2021. Also at the university are the Cosmic Dawn Centre (DAWN) and Dark Cosmology Centre. The research at the two centres focuses on the formation of the first stars and black holes, as well as gamma rays, dark matter, galaxies and neutrinos. If possible, you will meet with scientists from these research centres to discuss the ongoing projects.

Additionally, you will meet the European Spallation Source (ESS) scientists at their Data Management and Software Centre, which will be used to interpret data when construction of the ESS in Lund, Sweden, is completed. The facility's mission is "to build and operate the world’s most powerful neutron source, enabling scientific breakthroughs in research related to materials, energy, health and the environment, and addressing some of the most important societal challenges of our time". You will hear from experts about the ongoing research there.

Finally, visit the National Space Institute at the Technical University of Copenhagen in the afternoon, where you will learn about how the research of Bohr and his predecessors is being built on for the research of the future.

DAY 4: ROSKILDE DAY TRIP

Today, you will have a day trip to Roskilde. Once important as a Viking trading hub, Roskilde celebrates its past whilst also looking ahead to the future, hosting a large sustainable energy (and biotech) research facility. You will spend today touring the Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde Cathedral, and harbour. 

DAY 5: EXPERIMENTARIUM SCIENCE MUSEUM AND TIVOLI FAIRGROUND

See science in action today as you first visit the science museum, the Experimentarium, where theoretical science is put on display in a range of hands-on experiments and displays.  

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a visit to Tivoli, the city’s fairground. Tivoli has a range of fairground rides to suit all adrenaline or educational needs, nestled in a beautiful environment of cafes, restaurants, trees and streams, the perfect way to relax for your last day in Copenhagen. You may be lucky enough to see its impressive fireworks display in the evening. 

DAY 6: DEPART COPENHAGEN

After a final breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport for your return journey