[vsnet-alert 8753] Swift and GRBs - Venice congress 2006 - 1st announcement

[locvenice at merate.mi.astro.it]

CONGRESS FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT:

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SWIFT and GRBs: Unveiling the Relativistic Universe

June 5-9, 2006 Venice (Italy) San Servolo Centro Congressi

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Congress information, registration form and room reservation forms can be
found at the link
http://www.me.oa-brera.inaf.it/docM/OAB/Research/SWIFT/sanservolo2006/index.html


The Swift satellite is operating very satisfactorily, providing a large
amount of data on Gamma Ray Bursts. At the same time it is mapping, at
ever increasing depth, the high energy sky. The first Swift meeting, in
Washington (November 2005) will discuss topics covering the new
discoveries obtained in the first 12 months of operations.
At this meeting, in Venice, we will cover topics regarding the
observations, new findings and the recent theories developed to model the
observations. In addition to the broad research field related to GRBs and
high energy phenomena, Swift-related research is also broadening our
understanding of the late phases of stellar evolution, the physics of
relativistic stars and cosmology.

In all these endeavors scientists, using Swift, HETE, INTEGRAL and IPN,
trigger observations obtaining new data with other facilities in space or
on the ground. Thus, we are witnessing not only the power of a
multi-wavelength Observatory but also the power of a world-wide community
operating with the best available instruments.

To take advantage of the broad curiosity and thirst for knowledge in those
fields that are directly and indirectly related to the Gamma Ray Burst
phenomenon, we invite you to present your research in Venice June 5-9,
2006. We are asking for contributions (about 15 minutes per presentation)
related to the topics listed below, but we will solicit a broad
interpretation so as to have as many high quality abstracts as possible
and cover all the topics of interest.
There will be a restricted number of oral talks, selected by the SOC, for
a longer and deeper presentation. Most of those requests that cannot be
satisfied because of time limitations will be presented in the poster
session.

Topics GRB:

   * Prompt Emission, Afterglows
   * Progenitors, Supernovae
   * Parent population and Host Galaxies
   * Cosmology and GRB (Pop III and IGM)
   * Ultra High Energy Emission
   * Non standard GRB models

SOC: G. Chincarini (co-chair), E. Costa, K. Hurley, D. Fox, F. Frontera,
N. Gehrels (co-chair), P. Giommi, P. Kumar, K. Mason (co-chair), P.
Mèszàros, J. Nousek (co-chair), B. Paczynski, L. Piro (co-chair), L.
Stella, G. Tagliaferri, M. Vietri, N. White, S. Woosley

LOC:  G. Tagliaferri (Chair), A. Antonelli, S. Campana, S. Covino, B.
Gendre, A. Moretti, P. Romano


General Information

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The Congress will be held on the San Servolo island in the Venice lagoon.
Since at this time of the year Venice is a very popular and busy turistic
place, it is advisable to make room reservation as soon as possible.
Therefore we strongly suggest to book the hotel room well in advance. Note
that for the San Servolo Guest House the room will only be guaranteed if
booked before December 31, 2005. For more information visit the pages:

http://www.me.oa-brera.inaf.it/docM/OAB/Research/SWIFT/sanservolo2006/index.html