They studied the composition of the light, looked inside the mind, searched for meteorites, put out the candle with the music, recognized alien’s DNA. About 120 000 people participated in the 13th Science Picnic of the Polish Radio and the Copernicus Science Centre which took place on Saturday, 30th May in New Town Square and Podzamcze Areas in Warsaw. Even the pouring rain did not discourage the visitors from experimenting and discovering the phenomena of the world.

This European largest outdoor event popularizing science was even bigger than usually. 250 scientific and research institutions from 21 countries took part in it. First time participated guests from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Spain, Japan and Russia and Czech Republic as the special guest. The stands occupied the area of over 40 000 m2. Referring to the decision of the UN to declare the year 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy, the theme of this year edition was „Science Among the Stars”. That is why there were many demonstrations and experiments for the fans of astronomy and astronautics.

The visitors took part in numerous experiences, discussions and conversations with experts, they also participated in artistic happenings: they carved in the ice, created tales or „stood afloat” in the action: Blue People. They watched demonstrations of the best Polish and foreign science popularizers. One could see for example the Punk Science - the group from Great Britain, explaining the working of the gravitation and a students from Warsaw University of Technology who presented built by themselves the Martian Jeep "Scarab".

The event had the rich musical setting: the Japanese drummers KAIKO500, the band Good Gooral and the Star war on words - a freestyle improvisations on subjects connected to the conquest of the cosmos with Flint, Mouflon, Three Six and Large Pe. DJs: Mr Vinystealer and Barto played during whole Picnic.

More information about the 13. Science Picnic can be found on the side: http://www.pikniknaukowy.pl/2009/en/.