Interstellar dust is the mass reservoir of the heavier elements synthesized in the interior of stars and in supernovae (Mg, Si, Al, Ca, Fe, etc.), and represents about 1% of the total mass of the Interstellar Medium (ISM). The study of dust is key to a better knowledge of the ISM and the physical processes that take place in it.

That Summer School was focused on the understanding and characterization of the life cycle of dust, from its formation in dying stars to its assembly into meteorites and planets. The prime objective was to provide junior astronomers with a foundation in the field of dust astrophysics through lectures delivered by prominent researchers in the field. A wide scope of topics was covered, ranging from laboratory and computational perspectives on dust: the formation of dust in stars, supernovae, Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), and dust in high-redshift galaxies; the distribution and properties of dust in the Milky Way; grain growth; molecular chemistry on dust surfaces; presolar dust and contemporary dust in the Solar System; and the role of dust in star and planet formation.

The Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC) welcomed around 30 Master and Doctoral students attended the Summer School, in which they broadened their knowledge on the Life Cycle of Dust as well as get in touch with the other research groups working at the institute. Applications from young postdocs were also welcomed.