A Meeting to Honor Woody Sullivan
On his 60th Birthday
Dates: Wednesday 16-Friday 18 June, 2004
Venue: University of Washington, Seattle
Abstracts due: 31 March 2004
Local Organizing Committee: Bruce Hevly, Karl Hufbauer (Co-Chairs), Jim
Evans, Bruce Balick.
Program Committee: Wayne Orchiston (Chair), John Baross, Ron Bracewell,
David DeVorkin, Steve Dick, Ken Kellermann, Robert Smith, Richard Strom, Virginia
Trimble.
Woody's Vision of the Meeting
"In general I'm fascinated with the mutual influences of Astronomy and Culture. I'd like to see the meeting be different from normal in having a much larger fraction than usual of papers that "step back" and look at: where we are in Astronomy and Astrobiology (Life in the Universe) and how we got here in the early 21st Century, with a special emphasis on the past 50 years (but not strictly confined to that period). Current scientific research results are not excluded, but they should always be placed in the above context. Therefore, speakers are encouraged to attempt much broader and integrative topics than they (perhaps) normally do. Talks should be as broad as speakers are willing to tackle, but of course still grounded in concrete examples and case studies. Here's a chance to try out some speculations, syntheses, assertions, etc.!"
Program Themes
(1) (~70%) History of non-optical and of space astronomy, and how it has changed astronomy overall (with some emphasis on radio astronomy). To Woody,
"The idea here is to look at the two main instrumental/observational aspects of the past 50 years that have revolutionized astronomy: non-optical and observing from space, and how looking out in different ways has made us look at ourselves differently."
(2) (~30%) Cultural and scientific considerations of how "Expanding our View of Planet Earth" (and of us) have been changed by the past 50 years of astronomy and space exploration; with emphasis on astrobiology topics (extraterrestrial life). To Woody:
"This topic is designed to cover my interest in how Planet Earth looks from outside (e.g. my maps of leaking radio radiation and Earth's night lights), especially with regard to the presence of its life, and how that changes our views of ourselves. Scientifically studying life as a phenomenon in a cosmic context, expressed in the field of Astrobiology, is revolutionizing astronomy and other fields."
The suggested 70%-30% split between the two main topics is of course just a guess, but whatever the final ratio, topics will not be segregated but will be intermingled throughout the Conference.
In order to take advantage of the relatively small size of the Conference, more time than usual will be allotted for discussion. The minimum length of papers (including discussion) will be 30 minutes.
Paper Submissions
Offers of papers should be submitted to the Chair of the Program Committe, Dr Wayne Orchiston (Wayne.Orchiston@csiro.au). Include a 200 word abstract, and indicate whether you prefer an oral paper or a poster paper. The deadline for submissions is 31 March.
The Program Committee will then finalize the program, and those selected to give oral papers will be advised . Papers not accepted for oral presentation will be considered as possible poster papers.
Conference Dinner
This will be a salmon barbecue dinner at a lakeside location on the edge of the University of Washington campus. Cost of this dinner is included in the conference registration.
Optional Excursions (Saturday 19 June)
For those who would like to sample some of the "great outdoors" of the Pacific Northwest, we are planning two possible all-day excursions on the Saturday following the meeting. We hope to arrange transportation in local cars, so that there will be little cost. Please indicate on your registration form if you are likely to participate in either of these trips:
Excursion A. Dungeness Spit and Hurricane Ridge (Port Angeles region).
Dungeness Spit is a long sandy peninsula located on the Straits of Juan de Fuca, leading to Puget Sound. It is an out-and-back beach hike. The nearby Hurricane Ridge is a spectacular viewpoint in Olympic National Park and affords a chance for short walks (although there will be still considerable snow at that altitude of 5200 ft in mid-June).
Excursion B. Carbon River Glacier, Mt. Rainer National Park.
A hike that starts in old-growth forest, following a river until eventually one crosses it on a suspension bridge and comes to the snout of the Carbon Glacier, which can be inspected up close from as well as from above. Round trip about 7 miles and 1500 ft vertical gain. Requires reasonable body condition, good hiking footwear, and day pack for rain gear, lunch, etc.
Venue
The Conference venue is the University of Washington Physics/Astronomy Building, on whose wall sits the large sundial designed by Woody and shown on the Conference home page. SEE MAP HERE
Proceedings
It is hoped to publish a proceedings of the Conference, edited by Wayne Orchiston and Karl Haufbauer. All papers (oral and poster) will be included, but will be subject to refereeing.
Registration
The Conference fee of US$80 includes the following:
The registration deadline is June 6. Please snail-mail your check with the Registration Form.
For Further Information
Regarding local arrangements : Bruce Hevly (bhevly@u.washington.edu)
Regarding the program: Wayne Orchiston (Wayne.Orchiston@csiro.au)