Announcing:

X-ray Astronomy '999:
Stellar Endpoints, AGN and the Diffuse X-ray Background

September 6-10, 1999

at the

CNR - Conference Centre
Bologna
Italy

HOSTED by
ITESRE/CNR

and

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center


AIM OF THE CONFERENCE
SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
CONFERENCE VENUE
REGISTRATION
BOLOGNA

AIM OF THE CONFERENCE

X-ray binaries and the X-ray background were the first two classes of cosmic X-ray sources discovered. The X-ray binaries provide a natural laboratory for probing the extreme environments of black holes and neutron stars. A substantial fraction of the X-ray background is the superposition of AGN, which are powered by supermassive black holes. This Conference will in two parts present observations from ASCA, AXAF, BeppoSAX, CGRO, ROSAT, and RXTE and ABRIXAS observatories and will discuss their implications for the origin of the X-ray background and models for accretion on all scales.

SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

N. White (Chair)

Stellar Endpoints:

D. Barret, L. Bildsten, G. Di Cocco, F. Haberl, N. Kawai, M. van der Klis, F. Nagase, F. Paerels, A. Parmar, L. Stella, R.A. Sunyaev

AGN & the XRB:

N. Brandt, X. Barcons, T. Courvoisier, G. Hasinger, A.C. Fabian, T. Maccacaro, G.G.C. Palumbo, L. Piro, H. Tananbaum, J. Turner, M. Urry, M. Ward

LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

G. Malaguti (chair), L. Bassani, M. Cappi, A. Comastri, D. Dal Fiume, M. Orlandini, E. Palazzi, E. Pian, A. Spizzichino

CONFERENCE VENUE, PROCEEDINGS, FEES, & DETAILS

The Conference will be held at the CNR Conference Centre in Bologna (Italy). The Conference Proceedings will be published. There will be a conference registration fee for all participants. The amount will be announced in the Second Circular, as will banquet and excursion plans, Hotel accommodation, and other Conference details.

REGISTRATION

If you wish to be placed on our mailing list, please complete the Expression of Interest Form.

BOLOGNA

Capital city of the region of Emilia Romagna, Bologna is located half way between Venice (1.5 hour drive) and Florence (1 hour drive). Originally an Etruscan centre, it later came under Gallic control, and later still a Roman town. Bologna won its indipendance from Rome in the Middle Ages, and reached the height of its power in 1249 by defeating the Imperial army at the battle of Fossalta, taking prisoner the young King of Sardinia, Enzo, son of the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II. In the 11th century the oldest university in the world was founded within its walls. Historic mansions and churches, rich in works of art, line the streets, and the 25m long porticos of one of the best preserved old town in Europe and highlight the cultural importance Bologna has had through the ages.

TRANSPORTATION

Bologna is easily accessible by air, train, or car. Bologna International Airport (10 minutes drive, i.e. 20000-25000 Lire Taxi fare, from the CNR - Conference Centre) has daily connections with all the most important European cities. The Central Railway station is within 15 minutes walk from the City Centre, and 25 minutes walk from the CNR - Conference Centre.