Sunday 13 May 2012

First announcement: ASSA Symposium 2012


ASSA is pleased to announce this year's symposium, which will be held from 12 to 14 October 2012 at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town.

The theme of the symposium, "Looking back, looking forward", reflects the significance of 2012. On the one hand, organised amateur astronomy turns 100 this year, which will be duly celebrated at the symposium. On the other hand, hopefully by October a decision on the Square Kilometre Array will have been made. So the symposium focusses on past and future of astronomy alike.

Participants of the symposium will have the opportunity to engage in some outreach activities on 12 October. The symposium itself will start officially with a welcome evening on that day. Talks and workshops will take place throughout 13 and 14 October. In the evening of 13 October there will be a special Open Night commemorating 100 years of amateur astronomy in Southern Africa.

Online registration will be possible from 1 June, but you may submit abstracts for proposed talks before that by sending an email to symposium2012@assa.saao.ac.za. Both amateur and professional astronomers are invited to give talks. And because of the theme of the symposium, talks concerning the history of astronomy, the SKA project and science with the Southern African Large Telescope are encouraged. The submission of topics for the workshops is also very welcome.

The symposium website is at http://assa.saao.ac.za/symposium2012, and any queries about the symposium should be addressed to symposium2012@assa.saao.ac.za.

The organisers of the ASSA Symposium 2012 are looking forward to welcoming you in Cape Town!