Special Events

In addition to our scientific program, we have planned for you a number of special events to add to your enjoyment:

A reception for all participants on Sunday evening, October 12.
Wednesday afternoon diversions.
A conference banquet on Thursday, October 16.
An afternoon at the Institute, on Friday, October 17.
Bus transportation to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, October 18.

In addition, our symposium is likely to coincide with HST Servicing Mission 4, now scheduled for launch on October 10.

Opening Reception

The opening reception will be held on Sunday evening, October 12, from 7 to 10 pm. It will occur in the Marble Room in the Tremont Grand, the same room being used for poster presentations. The conference registration will also be open in the Marble Room, and you may put up your poster if you wish. Food will be provided (not to be construed as a meal), with a cash bar. All symposium attendees are welcome. If you wish to bring your companion, please contact us so we know how many to expect.

Daily Reports

As this is written the launch of Servicing Mission 4 is scheduled for 00:33 EDT (04:33 UT) on October 10. This means that EVAs will occur during evening hours (roughly 18:00–24:00) if you care to watch them live. We will begin each day of the session at 8:45 am (except Monday, when we start at 8:30) with a brief update on progress in servicing Hubble and any other important announcements. Scientific talks will begin promptly at 9:00.

Daily Refreshments and Meals

We will provide conference attendees with three catered breaks each day. A light, continental-style breakfast will be available starting at 8 am, along with coffee, tea, and juices. Beverages and snacks will again be served mid-morning and mid-afternoon. All the catered refreshments will be served in the Marble Room, in with the posters. Ample time has been allotted for participants to view posters and meet with colleagues.

Your other meals are not provided, but there are many eating places to choose from that are very close to the hotel. We have allocated ample time for lunch and we will provide information on restaurants when you arrive.

Diversions

As is traditional with IAU symposia, the Wednesday sessions end near noon and you have an entire afternoon to enjoy the diversions of Baltimore. There are many fine things to see in this city, but we have selected two in particular.

The Walters Art Gallery, a world-class art museum, is a short walk from the hotel. We have arranged for a special talk to symposium participants and guests by Dr. Will Noel, who will speak on his work on the Archimedes Palimpsest. Dr. Noel is an excellent speaker, and few will want to miss this chance. To learn more, go to:

http://www.archimedespalimpsest.org/
Those going to the Walters will also have a chance to see this museum’s extraordinary art. There is no charge to visit the Walters.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore (http://www.aqua.org/) is another world-class facility in Baltimore that is well worth seeing. A member of the LOC will take you on a walk from the hotel to the aquarium (about 1 km). We will arrange group admission, which will cost each person $19.95.

We will need to hear back from all symposium participants about their choice for Wednesday afternoon so that we can make appropriate plans.

Conference Banquet

The symposium banquet will be held in the hotel on Thursday, October 16, from 7 to 10 pm. As we have noted, the cost per person is $65 and it is necessary to sign up in advance. Seats at the banquet are limited, and we may need to limit attendance. During the banquet you will hear about some of the history of the meeting facility.

Friday afternoon at STScI

This may be your first trip to Baltimore. We wanted to provide you with a chance to visit the Space Telescope Science Institute even if the sessions themselves are not being held there. Because of that, the regular symposium sessions will end around noon on Friday, October 17. As an option, participants will then have an opportunity to come to the Institute for the afternoon. After lunch at the Institute, you can hear talks on progress with Servicing Mission 4 and with STScI’s work on the James Webb Space Telescope. Later in the afternoon we will provide drinks and an informal chance to meet Institute staff.

Transportation will be provided to and from the Institute.

Saturday in Washington, D.C.

If enough people are interested, we will charter a bus to take people to Washington, D.C. for the day on Saturday, October 18. The cost will be approximately $25 per person, depending on how many sign up. We would charter a coach to leave the Tremont at 9 am, going to the National Air and Space Museum. You would have all day in Washington to do as you like, and the bus would depart Air and Space at 5 pm. Please let us know if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity.