The Gravitational-wave Physics and Astronomy Workshop (the re-incarnation of GWDAW) will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA from 26-29 January 2011. This is the first of three circulars that will be distributed describing GWPAW. Additional information, including registration instructions, can be found at the workshop web site. At this URL, you can also subscribe to a mailing list for future circulars.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Early registration: Monday, 20 December 2010
Abstract submission: Friday, 7 January 2011
Hotel special workshop rate: Tuesday, 9 January 2011
Registration: Sunday, 16 January 2011
PURPOSE
To bring together experts in gravitational waves, astronomy and computational astrophysics to address open questions in gravitational-wave astronomy. The workshop will be arranged around the following questions: How do we combine gravitational-wave, electromagnetic, and particle observations of transient astrophysical events? What can we learn about compact objects through multi-messenger observations and simulations? How can we use gravitational-wave observations to address open questions in cosmology? How can gravitational-wave observations address fundamental questions of physics? For example, what constraints can be placed on alternative theories of gravity? The next generation of gravitational-wave detectors will begin observations around the middle of the decade. What gaps, if any, in observational capabilities need to be filled in order to maximize the science related to gravitational-wave observations?
DATES
The workshop sessions will last three-and-one-half days, beginning in the morning about 09:00 AM on Wednesday, January 26, and ending around lunchtime 12:30 PM on Saturday, January 29. There will be a reception at the hotel on the evening of Tuesday, January 25. There will be a banquet at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin on Thursday, January 27.
TRAVEL
The closest airports are (1) at 15km, Milwaukee (MKE) and (2) at 150km, Chicago O’Hare (ORD).
WORKSHOP VENUE
The workshop will take place at the UWM Center for Continuing Education (UCCE) Conference Facility. This is located on the 7th floor of the Plankinton Building, 161 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203-2602 USA. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served at the conference center on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Breakfast will also be served at the conference center on Saturday morning.
WORKSHOP HOTEL
The workshop hotel is the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 33 West Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203 USA. The hotel is located approximately two city blocks from the workshop venue.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt for the nights of Tuesday, 25 January 2011 through Friday, 28 January 2011. This block of rooms will be held in reserve until Tuesday, 11 January 2011. Please note that the hotel is hosting two additional conferences during these dates and room availability after this date cannot be guaranteed.
Room rates (block identifier: GWPAW) are:
Single Occupancy: US $109.00/night
Double Occupancy: US $109.00/night
Online reservations are strongly encouraged. You will find a link for making on-line reservations at the negotiated rate on the GWPAW website.
Alternatively, you can reserve a room by calling 1-888-421-1442 or +1-414-276-1234 and requesting the “GWPAW” room rate.
SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
The members of the Scientific Organizing Committee are:
Lars Bildsten. University of California, Santa Barbara
Marie Anne Bizouard. LAL Orsay and Carleton College
Patrick Brady (Chair). University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Laura Cadonati. University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Neil Gehrels. NASA/GSFC and University of Maryland
Francis Halzen. University of Wisconsin
Scott Hughes. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Zelko Ivezic (*). University of Washington
Nobuyuki Kanda. Osaka City University
David Kaplan. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Shri Kulkarni. Caltech
Maura McLaughlin. West Virginia University
Brian McNamara. Waterloo University
Benoit Mours. LAPP‚ Annecy
Ben Owen. Pennsylvania State University
Maria Alessandra Papa. Albert Einstein Institute-MPG
Fulvio Ricci (*). University of La Sapienza and INFN
Susan Scott. Australian National University
Deirdre Shoemaker. Georgia Institute of Technology
Xavier Siemens. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Alberto Vecchio. University of Birmingham
Stan Whitcomb. Caltech
(*) To be confirmed.
LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
The members of the Local Organizing Committee are: Patrick Brady, Alan Wiseman, Stefanie Pinnow, Sara Gil-Casanova. Contact the local organizing committee by e-mail to gwpaw-loc[AT]gravity.phys.uwm.edu
PROGRAM AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
A breakdown of the sessions will be provided in the next circular. Abstract submission will open at the end of November.
REGISTRATION FEE
Early Registration: $325 (until Dec 20)
Late Registration: $350 (after Dec 20)
The registration includes the welcome reception on Tuesday evening; breakfast, lunch and breaks on Wed-Sat; and the workshop dinner at Discovery World on Thursday evening.
Additional registration information is available at the GWPAW web site
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The average of the Milwaukee daily maximum and minimum temperatures in Celsius for January 26 -29 are:
Average Maximum: -1
Average Minimum: -9