HEADNEWS: THE ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER OF THE
HIGH ENERGY ASTROPHYSICS DIVISION OF THE AAS
Newsletter No. 99, December 2011
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16. Meetings Calendar
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The Physics of Feedback Processes and their Role in Galaxy Evolution Aspen Center for Physics
Aspen, CO, USA
June 10 - July 1, 2012
http://www.aspenphys.org/
Feedback processes in galaxies are widely believed to have an important role in galaxy evolution. Feedback from nuclear super-massive black holes (SMBHs) has been advocated as a major ingredient in reconciling
cosmological simulations to the observed properties of galaxies at different redshift, by dampening/quenching active star formation. Feedback from supernovae is clearly important in the heating and chemical enrichment of the ISM, producing the X-ray signatures detected with Chandra in mergers, starburst galaxies, and elliptical galaxies. Most recently, it has been discussed that even feedback from active X-ray emitting binaries may have an effect on the evolution of galaxies.
While the average energy input of these processes can be estimated, the detailed physical processes responsible for the transfer of energy to the host galaxies and their components have not been satisfactorily addressed. Energetically, SMBH accretion can easily supply sufficient energy to unbind the ISM of a galaxy, and so stop star formation. Whether AGNs actually do quench star formation however is unclear. Similarly, current merging simulations do not easily reproduce the observational evidence for X-ray hot, structured and metal enriched halos in mergers. Most simulations use feedback as an input parameter, but have not tried to model the physics of this process. Recently, thanks to high-resolution observations, from radio to X-rays, the physics of feedback has begun to receive more attention, and the current situation is rapidly evolving with excitingprospects for progress and improved understanding.
Application deadline is January 31, 2012
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Gamma-ray Bursts 2012
Munich, Germany
7-11 May 2012
URL: http://www.mpe.mpg.de/events/GRB2012
grb2012@mpe.mpg.de
This is the second circular for the joined Fermi/Swift Conference.
It will bring together astrophysicists, neutrino physicists and
gravitational wave scientists to discuss the latest data and
theories, to build synergistic collaborations between the fields and
across wavelengths, and beyond better understanding the GRB phenomenon
to develop GRBs as a powerful probe of a variety of fundamental
questions in present-day research. Topics include:
- Recent results from Swift and Fermi
- Prompt and high-energy emission
- Afterglow emission
- Central Engine Physics
- Progenitors and Supernovae
- Host Galaxies
- GRBs as Probes of the Early Universe
- History and Future Instrumentation
- Grav. Waves, Neutrinos, Cosmic Rays and UHE Emission
1 January 2012 Registation Opens
29 February 2012 Abstract submission deadline
29 February 2012 Registration deadline
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2012 XMM-Newton science workshop Galaxy Clusters as Giant Cosmic Laboratories
European Space Astronomy Centre, Madrid, Spain
21-23 May 2012
URL: http://xmm.esac.esa.int/external/xmm_science/workshops/2012_science/
mmws2012@sciops.esa.int
Galaxy clusters are interesting astrophysical laboratories to study large-scale physical processes and important probes to assess the structure and evolution of our Universe. X-ray observations provide the most detailed insight into structure, composition, and evolution of galaxy clusters.
Since the launch of the XMM-Newton and Chandra observatories, our understanding of galaxy clusters has impressively improved including paradigm changes like the physics of cooling cluster centres and the description of galaxy clusters as a tightly constrained self-similar family of objects. During this period, galaxy clusters have also helped to define the quite precisely described Concordance Cosmology Model, and they have shown how the intergalactic medium is enriched by heavy elements over the last half of the age of the
Universe. Observations with XMM-Newton, Chandra and SUZAKU have been essential for this progress and after a little more than a decade, a detailed picture of galaxy clusters has crystallised, well worth to be critically reviewed and discussed at a topical workshop.
2 March 2012 Abstract submission deadline
27 April 2012 Registration deadline
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COSPAR 2012 Event E1.14
X-ray Polarimetry in Astrophysics
Mysore, India
July 14-22 2012
http://www.cospar-assembly.org/
http://www.iasf-roma.inaf.it/Cospar2012/
The event is aimed to review the status of theoretical analysis including how polarimetry can complement spectroscopy and timing measurements in the study of matter in extreme conditions and the status and more recent advances of observational techniques, in the perspective of incoming and future missions. A particular attention will be devoted to GEMS, a mission which is expected to rejuvenate this topics of High Energy Astrophysics.
Deadline for abstract submission: 2012 February 10
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COSPAR 2012 Event E1.12
Magnetars: the extremes of Nature
Mysore, India
July 14-21, 2012
http://www.cospar-assembly.org/
The field of magnetars, slowly rotating neutron stars with extreme
magnetic fields (1014 Gauss), has seen many important developments since
the discovery of the phenomenon in the late 80’s. The successful launch of
the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope in June 2008 with its Gamma ray Burst
Monitor (GBM) has added yet another transient monitoring instrument to
RXTE and Swift providing a plethora of magnetar burst detections with
exciting new results. The synergy of these instruments with Integral,
XMM-Newton, Chandra, Konus, radio observatories, and the Interplanetary
Network (IPN) has enabled discovery of new sources, and spectral and
temporal analyses of bursts with excellent time resolution, thus
delivering spectacular results towards understanding the phenomenon. In
the last two years alone, five new sources were discovered, one of which
seems to be the first magnetar with a “normal” dipole magnetic field of
<1013 Gauss, providing new evidence for the study of magnetic field
evolution of neutron stars. In this meeting, we will review the most
important recent results on magnetars and discuss their theoretical
implications. We will also discuss the possible contributions in the field
of new space missions (such as NuSTAR) and ground-based observatories
(such as LOFAR and super-LIGO).
SOC: M. Baring, N. Gehrels, E. Gogus (DO), W. Hermsen, Y. Kaneko, V.
Kaspi, C. Kouveliotou (MSO), M. Kramer, N. Rea, S. Wachter, A. Watts, R.
Wijers.
Deadline for abstract submission: 2012 February 10
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Chandra Science Workshop 2012
X-ray Binaries: Celebrating 50 years since the Discovery of Sco X-1
Cambridge, MA, USA
17-19 July 2012
http://cxc.harvard.edu/cdo/xrb12/
xrb12@cfa.harvard.edu
In 1962, Scorpius X-1 became the first X-ray source discovered outside the Solar System. In the 50 years since, X-ray binaries have proven to be important for studies of fundamental physical processes such as mass accretion and jet formation. Contemporary X-ray satellites provide detailed spectroscopic studies of individual Galactic black hole and neutron star binaries, as well as population studies of low-mass X-ray binaries in globular clusters, high-mass X-ray binaries and ultra-luminous X-ray sources in starburst galaxies. This meeting will celebrate the startling discovery of Scorpius X-1, highlight the latest results in our understanding of the formation of black holes, neutron stars and X-ray binaries, as well as the use of X-ray binaries for testing the laws of physics in the extreme environment close to black holes and neutron stars.
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The 9th INTEGRAL workshop
"An INTEGRAL view of the high-energy sky (the first 10 years)"
Bibliotheque Nationale de France, Paris, France
15-19 October 2012
http://IntegralWorkshop2012.in2p3.fr
During this week we will celebrate the 10th launch anniversary of the INTEGRAL mission, on 17 October 2012. The main goal of this workshop is to present and to discuss (via invited and contributed talks and
posters) the latest results obtained in the field of high-energy astrophysics using the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory INTEGRAL, as well as results from observations from other ground- and space-based high-energy observatories and from associated multi-wavelength campaigns.
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The 4th International Fermi Symposium
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Monterey, CA
Oct 28-2 Nov 2012
http://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/mtgs/symposia/2012/
This meeting will focus on the new scientific investigations and results enabled by Fermi, the mission and instrument characteristics, future opportunities, and coordinated observations and analyses. The best is yet to come!
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