FAQ

FAQ 1

How do I access the school?

Whether you want to follow synchronously or asynchronously, make sure you have Europlanet membership. Visit this link for all the relevant information. Once you have the Europlanet membership, register for the winter school here. You will receive an access code after mid-January to access the Streavent platform and follow the school synchronously. If you register later, to follow asynchronously, you will have to wait a few working days to obtain your access code for the platform.

FAQ 2

Which Europlanet membership should I choose?

Am I a student, PhD candidate, or Early Career Researcher? → I choose Individual Membership with a reduced fee
Do I work at a university or research institute? → Check whether my institution has an Organisational Membership
Am I based in or affiliated with an under‑represented country (URS)? → I am eligible for a reduced fee
Am I a teacher, outreach provider, or amateur astronomer? → I may qualify for a reduced category
Do I have financial difficulties paying the fee? → I may apply for a Discretionary Membership (€0)

Membership category	Who can apply	Annual fee
Individual Membership (Standard)	Researchers, professionals, educators, science enthusiasts	€50
Individual Membership (Reduced)	Students, Early Career Researchers, Retired/Emeritus, Outreach providers, Amateur astronomers, members from under‑represented countries (URS)	Reduced fee (variable) €25 /Year Student, Early Career, Retired, Amateur & Outreach Community €15 /Year Student, Early Career, Retired, Amateur & Outreach Community from Under-Represented States (URS)
Organizational membership	If your affiliated to Universities, research institutes, organisations members of Europlanet	€ 0
Discretionary Membership	Applicants unable to afford the fee for financial reasons	€ 0

FAQ 3

How can I obtain the attendance certificate?

You will need to follow the lessons, synchronously or asynchronously, then you will need to produce the mapping exercises following the instructors' directions (specific information will be distributed in February). You will have until the 22^nd of March to upload your maps via the Streavent platform. In a few weeks after the upload deadline, the organisers and instructors will evaluate the produced work. If it will be positively scored, the certificate will be sent to your email address.

FAQ 4

Where can I find the materials for the mapping exercise?

The materials for the mapping exercises can be found in the Zenodo community of "Europlanet Research Infrastructure". Further details will be provided during the next few weeks.

FAQ 5

What software do I need?

The primary software we will be using is QGIS, along with the Mappy plug-in. QGIS is a geographic information system, specialized in working with geospatial datasets. Details about how to use QGIS and how to configure the coordinate systems can be found here (https://github.com/europlanet-gmap/winter-school-2026/tree/main/qgis).
We will also use the VRGS software (https://youtu.be/hxG5I_m2RJs?si=KNyJdrOFAvgE31g2), which focuses on the geological and structural analysis of 3D models. Once you are accepted to the school, you will receive a free trial for the duration of the activities.

FAQ 6

How can I ask a question?

If you have a question during the synchronous school, you will find a Slido Q&A box implemented within the room on the Streavent platform. Write your question and the organisers will answer live or forward your question to the instructor for a live answer. The question boxes will remain active and monitored until 22 March. Please consult the code of conduct for all relevant information on interaction guidelines.
If you have any questions that are not directly related to the school's content, please contact the organisers by email info@planetarymapping.eu.