FIRST  ANNOUNCEMENT

STELLAR DYNAMICS: FROM CLASSIC TO MODERN

August 21 - 27, 2000

Sobolev Astronomical Institute, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia

SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE

     Stellar dynamics provides the basis for our understanding of dynamical processes in galaxies and star clusters. There has been a lot of recent progress in the observational foundations of stellar dynamics and in its theory. HIPPARCOS has provided precise proper motions and parallaxes, the existence of galactic dark matter has been confirmed by microlensing, and detailed photometric and kinematic studies of galaxies have clarified their evolutionary processes. Numerical simulations have been used effectively to study major problems such as relaxation in gravitating systems and the stability of equilibrium figures. Thus it is both timely and desirable for an international meeting to discuss all the recent progress in the dynamics of sellar systems.
     Many of these problems were the subject of pioneering studies by Professor K.F.Ogorodnikov (1900 - 1985). The proposed meeting is being organized by the St.Petersburg State University, assisted by an international Scientific Organizing Committee, and marks the centennial of Professor K.F.Ogorodnikov's birth. His text is a classic in the field of stellar dynamics and kinematics, and the world-knowned St.Petersburg school of stellar dynamics and kinematics (T.A.Agekian, V.A.Antonov and others) was founded and grew under his organization and leadership.
     Since the breakup of the former Soviet Union and under present economic conditions, Russian astronomers have very few opportunities to meet their colleagues from abroad, and even their fellow countrymen. We hope this meeting will give them, and their international colleagues, the opportunity for vigorous discussion of progress and the exchange of new ideas.

SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

CONTACT ADDRESSES

E-mail: KFO100@dyna.astro.spbu.ru
cc to : ai@astro.spbu.ru

TOPICS

INVITED REVIEWERS (already confirmed)

V.A.Antonov, G.S.Bisnovatyi-Kogan, A.D.Chernin, A.M.Fridman,
Yu.N.Efremov, C.Hunter, H.Kandrup, B.P.Kondratyev, D.Lynden-Bell,
D.Merritt, G.Meylan, V.L.Polyachenko, A.V.Zasov

SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION

      The conference will be organized by the Sobolev Astronomical Institute of St.Petersburg State University in the building of the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics. The scientific sessions and a memorial session will be held during the four days, Tuesday to Friday, 22 - 25 August, 2000. There will be tours on Monday, August 21 and Saturday, August 26. We suggest arrival in St. Petersburg on either August 20 or 21, and departure on August 27.
      There will be facilities for showing slides and transparencies. Please let the organizers know of any other needs. There will be space for conference participants to display poster papers.

REGISTRATION

     Registration fees: $ 200 for foreign participants, $ 100 for their accompanying guests; 200 rubles for Russian and CIS participants, 100 rubles for their accompanying guests. Fees should be paid in cash on arrival. They include the costs for conference materials and coffee-breaks and, we hope, a copy of the conference proceedings. They do not include the costs of meals, the closing dinner, or any tours.

CONFERENCE LOCATION

The Conference will be held on the St.Petersburg State University Campus in Peterhof, which is about 35 km from the center of St.Petersburg. St.Petersburg is a world-renowned cultural centre and very beautiful city situated at delta of the Neva river. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1703. The University Campus can be reached either by electric train or by bus from the Baltic Station in St.Petersburg. Both take about one hour.

ACCOMODATION

Conference participants and their guests may stay at the University Campus hotels. Current rates for accommodation are: single room $ 50 per day for one person, double room $ 30 per day for one person. Accommodation is available also in a student dormitory at 150 rubles (nearly $6) per day.

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

We invite all colleagues who are interested in stellar dynamics to participate in our conference. Please complete the following form, and return it to Dr. N.P.Pitjev by February 1, 2000.

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM

Yours sincerely,
C.Hunter, S.A.Kutuzov, L.P.Ossipkov, N.P.Pitjev

мЮГЮД Б ЯНДЕПФЮМХЕ