The "Science for All" series looks back on half a century of cutting-edge research
The GSI research institute and the FAIR international accelerator center invite you to a lecture in the "Science for All" series on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. It begins at 2 p.m. The event will take place both on-site at the GSI/FAIR campus in Darmstadt and online.
Under the title "A leap into the realm of exotic and superheavy atomic nuclei – 50 years of cutting-edge research at SHIP", physicist Dr. Fritz Peter Heßberger provides insights into the history and scientific successes of one of GSI's most important experimental facilities.
SHIP celebrates its 50th anniversary
The velocity filter SHIP (Separator for Heavy Ion Reaction Products) has been one of the central research facilities at the UNILAC heavy-ion accelerator since the early years of GSI. In March 2026, the facility celebrated its 50th anniversary of operation.
These five decades saw numerous significant scientific discoveries. These include the discovery of the chemical elements bohrium and copernicium, new insights into exotic atomic nuclei, and fundamental investigations into the structure of the heaviest elements.
Insights into the history of elemental research
In his presentation, Dr. Fritz Peter Heßberger will introduce the history of SHIP and highlight important milestones in the research.
Heßberger studied physics at what is now the Technical University of Darmstadt and joined GSI in 1979. From 2009 to 2015, he headed the Department of Physics of Superheavy Elements at GSI and was also head of the corresponding section at the Helmholtz Institute Mainz.
Participation is possible both on-site and online
The event will take place at Planckstraße 1 in Darmstadt and will be broadcast online simultaneously.
Further information on registration, access and the schedule can be found on the GSI and FAIR event page:
Science for All at GSI and FAIR
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM/GSI)
Featured image: AufbauSHIP Photo: A.Zschau, GSI-FAIR
