Volume 15, July 2002 - In the News

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The August 1st, Abstract Deadline, is fast approaching. Detailed information on how to submit your abstract can be found on the conference webpages (\tt http://www.gemini.edu/science/gc_conf/). Since we know that during the summer, many people are on travel, you will be able to provide a revised version of your abstract until September 13th. However, an original must still be submitted by the August 1st deadline. In addition, the early registration deadline is also August 1st, so be sure to register when you submit your abstract. (O.K, have we mentioned August 1st enough?)

Another important date to keep in mind is the September 3rd, Hotel Registration Deadline. If you miss this deadline, you may be unable to get a room at the hosting hotel. Again, see the web pages regarding making a room reservation.

As of press time, there are about 40 participants registered, and the program is beginning to fill out. Since once again we are trying to facilitate quality discussion sessions, we anticipate limiting the number of participants to 100. If we are unable to accommodate all those who wish to attend, the primary selection criteria will be relevance to the science program, for those who have met the abstract deadline. Late papers (oral and poster) will be accommodated on a space available basis.

We are currently planning on having over 50 oral presentations, and anticipate approximately the same number of posters. We expect to have a lively, informative workshop. In assembling the science program the SOC has established as a priority for each session the inclusion of observational results from the infrared, radio and X-ray, as well as the latest theoretical work. In addition, the SOC encourages research groups to have their junior members give oral presentations.

We have received a grant from the NSF which will allow us to waive the conference fee for a handful of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Additional information on the qualification criteria for financial assistance can be found on the conference webpages.

In organizing the workshop, we are seeking to create an atmosphere that will enable you to both share your latest research results and discuss your research with those most interested in your work. For instance, included in the conference fee are a continental breakfast each day of the workshop, and three group lunches such that you can maximize the opportunities to continue the interesting discussions begun during the sessions and coffee breaks.

We look forward to seeing you in Hawaii. Aloha!

Observations were successfully made at the majority of the participating telescopes, with the execption of weather problems for those in Chile. The full results of the campaign are not yet known, although work on the data is underway as we go to press. However, we anticipate that the results will be presented at the conference in November, so keep your eyes on Session V! The outstanding science represented by this collaboration of so many researchers at so many institutions will undoubtably contribute to a very exciting conference.

A first glimpse at the amazing variability that Sgr A* was showing even before the campaign can be made with the invited article by Jun-Hui Zhao in this issue. It describes the first results of the SMA that monitored Sgr A* at the highest radio frequencies.