Spectroscopy and Spectropolarimetry of A and B-type Stars
Research Tools, Techniques and Goals

Mini-workshop: Armagh Obervatory, 18 - 22 February 2008

The current generation of high-precision, high-resolution spectrographs and spectropolarimeters (e.g. ESPaDOnS, NARVAL, UVES/FLAMES, FORS1) is yielding data of unprecedented quality and astrophysical information content. Interpreting these rich, complex obervations is a significant challenge which has prompted the development of powerful new analysis and modeling tools and techniques. As a result, astrophysicists investigating A and B-type stars have benefitted tremendously from the introduction of powerful multi-line analysis procedures such as Least-Squares Deconvolution, from the creation of efficient spectrum synthesis codes such as Zeeman and SynthMag, and from the compilation of astrophysical databases such as VALD. The aim of this workshop is to provide a forum for discussion and the elaboration of new data analysis and modeling techniques and tools, with a focus on those with particular relevance to the study of A and B-type stars. This will include: efficient polarized and unpolarized spectrum synthesis; critical compilations of atomic data; determination of fundamental physical parameters; quantitative spectroscopy for abundance determination; magnetic field detection and modelling. PARTICIPANTS: Evelyne Alecian (Royal Military College of Canada)
Stefano Bagnulo (Armagh Observatory)
Oleg Kochukhov (Uppsala University, Sweden)
Jorick Vink (Armagh Observatory)
John D. Landstreet (University of London Ontario, Canada)
Gregg A. Wade (Royal Military College of Canada)
Colin Folsom (Armagh Observatory)
Luca Fossati (Universitaet Wien, Austria)
Jason Grunhut (Royal Military College of Canada)
Caroline Pereira (Armah Observatory)
Veronique Petit (Royal Military College of Canada)
James Silvester (Royal Military College of Canada)
DETAILED PROGRAMME AND LINKS TO PRESENTATIONS

DAY ONE (Monday)
Abundance analysis in magnetic and non magnetic stars (part I)
09:00 - 10:00	J.D. Landstreet: A gentle theoretical introduction to abundance analysis
10:00 - 11:00	S. Jeffery: An introduction to model atmospheres
11:00 - 11:30	COFFEE BREAK
11:30 - 12:30	O. Kochukhov: Spectrum synthesis tools & VALD
12:30 - 14:00	LUNCH
14:00 - 15:00	S. Jeffery: Armagh Software for Model Atmospheres
15:00 - 15:30	COFFEE BREAK
15:30 - 17:00	L. Fossati: A practical example of abundance analysis.
DAY TWO (Tuesday)
Abundance analysis in magnetic and non magnetic stars (part II)
09:00 - 10:00	J.D. Landstreet: FORTRAN code "Zeeman": how to use it to model polarized spectra of magnetic stars
10:00 - 10:30	C. Folsom: Changes to the Zeeman code
10:30 - 11:00	COFFEE BREAK
11:00 - 11:30	J. Grunhut: Automated Fitting of High-Resolution Spectra of HAeBe stars: Improving the determination of fundamental parameters
10:00 - 10:30	C. Pereira: Abundance analysis using FUSE UV data
12:00 - 12:30	O. Kochukhov: Abundance analysis in stratified atmospheres
12:30 - 14:00	LUNCH
Observations
14:00 - 14:30	J. Silvester: The MuSiCoS, Espadons and NARVAL data archive
14:30 - 15:00	J. Grunhut: Observing and Instrumentation at the DAO
15:00 - 15:30	L. Fossati: Software tools to dig the observatory archives
15:30 - 16:00	COFFEE BREAK
16:00 - 16:30	S. Bagnulo: A description of (some of the) instruments that may be used for our research
16:30 - 17:00	C. Folsom: Guided tour to the Armagh Observatory and astro-park
20:00	Public Lecture by John Landstreet
DAY THREE
Modelling of magnetic fields
09:45 - 10:30	S. Bagnulo: Parametrization of the magnetic field in spherical stars
10:30 - 11:00	COFFEE BREAK
11:00 - 11:30	O. Kochukhov: Software tools for the visualization of the magnetic field
11:30 - 12:00	V. Petit: Least Square Deconvolution: introduction and practical applications
12:00 - 12:30	O. Kochukhov: Basic principles of MDI
12:30 - 14:00	LUNCH
14:00 - 14:30	J. Silvester: The next generation of magnetic field topology and chemical surface structure maps for Ap stars
14:30 - 15:00	V. Petit: Bayesian inference for modelling of magnetic hot stars, plus additional cool stuff about X-ray astronomy
15:00 - 15:30	COFFEE BREAK
15:30 - 17:00	Discussions on specific papers in preparation (maybe organized in smaller working groups)
20:00	MEET THE ASTONOMERS AT THE GOLF CLUB
DAY FOUR (Thursday)
10:30 - 13:00	Discussions on current and future projects
12:30 - 14:00	LUNCH
Herbig Ae/Be stars
14:00 - 15:00	J. Vink: Linear Spectropolarimetry
15:00 - 15:30	COFFEE BREAK
15:30 - 16:30	E. Alecian: Magnetic fields in Herbig stars
DAY FIVE (Friday)
Surveys
09:00 - 10:00	J. Lansdtreet: Studies of Open Cluster stars
10:00 - 11:00	L. Fossati: Unsolved questions about Am stars
11:00 - 11:30	COFFEE BREAK
11:30 - 12:30	G. Wade: Magnetic field surveys: what can be achieved
12:30 - 14:00	LUNCH
14:00 - 17:00	Discussions on current and future projects

Last Revised: 2010 February 25th