FIRST ANNOUCEMENT Neutron Stars at the Crossroads of Fundamental Physics Workshop at the University of British Columbia Tuesday 9 August 2005 to Saturday 13 August 2005 Scientific Organizing Committee ------------------------------- Jeremy Heyl UBC heyl@physics.ubc.ca Vicky Kaspi McGill vkaspi@physics.mcgill.ca Feryal Özel Arizona fozel@physics.arizona.edu Krishna Rajagopal MIT krishna@ctp.mit.edu Chris Thompson Toronto, CITA thompson@cita.utoronto.ca Marten van Kerkwijk Toronto mhvk@astro.utoronto.ca Rationale --------- The time is ripe to gather people whose research impacts our understanding of neutron stars. Because the study of neutron stars encompasses a wide range of physics, it is valuable to bring together a stimulating mixture of young researchers and established figures from the various disciplines to present their latest results and to develop collaborations. The workshop will address both the recent observational and theoretical breakthroughs and the areas where great progress may be imminent. Specifically, the participants will discuss the latest calculational approaches to high-density QCD, non-pertubative QED, neutron-star atmospheres, structure and dynamics. We will also contrast the state-of-the-art theoretical results with our ever-growing observational understanding of neutron stars. If progress in QCD is to inform our understanding of neutron star interiors, and progress in neutron star observation is to inform our understanding of QCD matter at less-than-asymptotic density, it is crucial that QCD theorists, neutron star theorists and neutron star observers understand each other's successes and outstanding obstacles. Many workshops bring two out of three of these communities together. Our purpose is to bring people from all three together, with our selection of participants biased toward those who will be good at explaining the issues they face to the other two communities. All three communities have significant forward momentum, making the coming summer an ideal time (and Vancouver is of course a perfect place) to gather, cross-fertilize, and stimulate ideas for what comes next that reach across sub-disciplinary boundaries. Program -------- Tuesday 9 August 2005: Arrival in Vancouver Wednesday 10 August 2005 - Friday 12 August 2005: Workshop Meetings. To encourage a comparison of observation and theory the talks will be scheduled in groups of two or three and organized along broad physical themes. Saturday 13 August 2005: Informal Activities Hiking in Whistler or on Grouse Mountain, kayaking on Burrard Inlet are some possibilities. Sunday 14 August 2005: Depart Vancouver Registration Fee ---------------- There is no registration fee. Proceedings ----------- There will be no proceedings as such, but the presentations (electronic or otherwise) will be archived on the conference website. Accommodation ------------- You should reserve accommodation through Margaret Villacin (villacin@physics.ubc.ca). Accommodation in Vancouver in August is both scarce and expensive, so please let us know soon whether and when you are coming. There are several options: Basic Room - Single Bed, private bathroom (shower only), CAD 69 per room Standard Room - Queen bed and sofa bed, private bathroom (shower only), CAD 81 per room Standard Suite - Living room with queen-sized Murphy bed, bedroom with two twin beds, private bathroom, kitchen, CAD 99 per room. Premium Suite - Living room with queen-sized Murphy bed, bedroom with queen bed, private bathroom, kitchen, CAD 149 per room. Financial Support ----------------- There is limited financial support available for both travel and local expenses. Please contact Jeremy Heyl (heyl@physics.ubc.ca) for more information.