Approaching Micro-Arcsecond Resolution
with VSOP-2: Astrophysics and Technology



3-7 December 2007, Conference Hall at ISAS/JAXA, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, JAPAN

30 0 0

NEWS:
1 Feb: The deadline of proceedings manuscripts extended to 18 February
22 Dec: Group Photos uploaded
21 Dec: Author instructions up on the website
21 Dec: Weblinks to ppt files prepared

SYMPOSIUM THEME: The VLBI Space Observatory Programme 2 (VSOP-2) will be the next generation space-VLBI mission undertaking radio-band astronomical observations (http://www.vsop.isas.jaxa.jp/vsop2/). Following the successes of the VSOP project (1997-2005), VSOP-2 has been approved in Japan, in collaboration with international partners, for a launch with the ASTRO-G satellite as early as 2012. With new technical capabilities developed based upon VSOP experience, VSOP-2 will uncover and explore fundamental problems in modern astrophysics. The goals of the mission are to image accretion disks around super massive black holes (SMBH) in active galactic nuclei (AGN), the sites of jet formation and collimation, the magnetospheres around protostars, and the properties and motions of cosmic masers. Further, the aim of this symposium is to foster international collaborations that will lay the groundwork for a successful VSOP-2 mission. The symposium sessions will include results from recent ground and VSOP observations, VSOP-2 observing strategies and targets, space-VLBI-related technologies, and operational issues. The symposium will also honor the career and retirement of Prof. Hisashi Hirabayashi in a special session of the symposium. We shall acknowledge his many contributions to radio astronomy and his 20 years of leadership of VSOP and his contributions at Nobeyama, ISAS and JAXA.

SYMPOSIUM TOPICS:

  • VSOP-2 Project and International Collaboration
  • VSOP Science Highlights
  • Black Hole & Accretion discs
  • Blazars & Jets
  • AGN Masers
  • Variability & High Brightness Quasars
  • Radio & Proto Stars
  • Galactic Masers
  • Space Astrometry

    • IMPORTANT DATES:

    15 January 2007 First Announcement
    4 July 2007 Second Announcement; Registration opens
    10 August 2007 Deadline for Application of Financial Support
    21 September 2007 Deadline for Abstract submission and accommodation request
    5 November 2007 Final Scientific Program; Registration Deadline
    3-7 December 2007 Symposium
    31 January 2008 Deadline for papers in publication

    PROCEEDINGS: Proceedings of the Symposium will be published. Instructions and templates for the proceedings will be made available closer to the symposium date. Deadline of papers is after the Symposium.

    SPONSORSHIP: The Symposium is currently supported by Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)/JAXA, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), Inoue Foundation for Science, and Society for Promotion of Space Science (SPSS).

    Contact LOC, email