The MIT Department of Physics and Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research would like to share with you plans for a symposium and memorial service honoring Professor Rainer Weiss, Nobel Laureate in Physics (2017) and longtime member of our faculty, whose visionary work made the discovery of gravitational waves possible.
Symposium: Friday, February 27, 2026 (all day) — A full day of scientific talks and reflections celebrating Rai’s pioneering contributions to physics and his profound influence on generations of researchers.
Memorial Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026 (morning) — A gathering of family, friends, and colleagues to honor his life and legacy.
We invite members of the scientific community, alumni, collaborators, and friends to join us in celebrating the life and work of Rai.
Both events will take place at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with further details—including venues and programs — to follow in the coming weeks.
We kindly ask you to indicate your intent to attend by using this form: Weiss Event Form.
Deepto Chakrabarty, MIT Physics Department Head
Robert A. Simcoe, Director, MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research