Colloquium spectroscopicum internationale XXIV: From big bang to unsolved problems

Brief report on the Colloquium Spectroscopicum Internationale 1985, held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (FRG). The opening lecture, ''From Big Bang to Black Holes'', unfolded the current knowledge of the universe, whereas two thirds of the following 61 plenary lectures dealt with problems of atomic spectroscopy and the remaining papers with molecular spectroscopy. In 40 poster sessions 350 posters were briefly discussed, and the conference was accompanied by an exhibition of latest spectrometric equipment. Experimental methods were the centre of discussions of atomic spectroscopy experts, whereas in the field of moclecular spectroscopy issues such as standards for digitised spectra, databases and information exchange via data networks met with great interest. (RB)