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                F I R S T   A N N O U N C E M E N T


   SECOND BYURAKAN INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL FOR YOUNG ASTRONOMERS


                  "PRACTICAL ASTROPHYSICS"
 
           20-30 September 2008, Byurakan (Armenia)
 
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 An international summer school "Practical Astrophysics" will take place 
> 
> on September 20-30, 2008, in Byurakan (Armenia). It is being organized 
> 
> jointly by the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) and the Armenian 
> 
> Astronomical Society (ArAS). The School is devoted to Prof. V.A. 
> 
> Ambartsumian-s 100th anniversary and will be linked to Ambartsumian's 
> 
> Centennial meeting, so that the students may also participate in these 
> 
> events before the school.   
> 
> The Byurakan Observatory is one of the main observational centers of the 
> 
> former Soviet Union and is an important observatory with modern 
> 
> facilities in the Middle East region. It was founded in 1946 by V.A. 
> 
> Ambartsumian and is well known for its large spectroscopic surveys: the 
> 
> First and Second Byurakan Surveys, undertaken by B.E. Markarian and 
> 
> colleagues. 
> 
> The Byurakan Observatory hosts a number of medium-size optical 
> 
> telescopes, the most important being the 2.6m classical telescope and 1m 
> 
> Schmidt telescope. There are various modern astronomical instruments, 
> 
> including the multi-pupil spectrograph (VAGR). The Byurakan Observatory 
> 
> holds the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS, or the Markarian 
> 
> survey), containing low-dispersion spectra for ~20,000,000 objects. Many 
> 
> qualified specialists work presently in Byurakan, who are prepared to 
> 
> teach modern astrophysics to young people. In addition, a number of 
> 
> well-known scientists are invited to lecture during the school on 
> 
> various interesting topics. 
> 
> 
> TOPICS:
> 
> - Ground-based Telescopes and Modern Observational Techniques;
> - Space Telescopes and Space Missions;
> - 2D spectroscopy;
> - Computers for Astronomy: Astronomical Data Reduction;
> - Archives, Databases and Virtual Observatories;
> - Studies of Planets, Stars, Nebulae, and Galaxies with various methods;
> - Astronomical Surveys and Future Giant Projects;
> 
> 
> EVENTS:
> 
> Most of the time will be devoted to lectures (2-3 lectures daily) and 
> 
> practical courses (observations and data reduction). The following 
> 
> events will take place during the School:
> 
> - Lectures on different aspects of observational astrophysics;
> - Observations with 2.6m telescope;
> - Data reduction with MIDAS and IRAF packages;
> - Observations with small telescopes;
> - Practical courses of astronomy with computers;
> - Acquaintance with the Byurakan Observatory and its research;
> - Excursions to famous Armenian sightseeing.
> 
> 
> TENTATIVE LIST OF LECTURERS AND LECTURES:       
> 
> Dr. Don BARRY (Cornell University, USA)
> Dr. Michel DENNEFELD (Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, France) 
> Dr. Dieter ENGELS (Hamburger Sternwarte, Germany)
> Dr. Haik HARUTYUNIAN (Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, Armenia) 
> Dr. Daniel KUNTH (Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, France)
> Dr. Tigran MAGAKIAN (Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, Armenia)
> Dr. Areg MICKAELIAN (Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, Armenia)
> Dr. Tigran MOVSESSIAN (Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, Armenia)
> Dr. Artashes PETROSIAN (Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, Armenia) 
> Dr. Avetis SADOYAN (Yerevan State University, Armenia)
> Ms. Lusine SARGSYAN (Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, Armenia)
> 
> 
> PARTICIPATION AND ACCOMMODATION:
> 
> Upper-level University students and post-graduate students are eligible 
> 
> to apply for participation. Please send the completed registration form 
> 
> (see below) by e-mail to Areg Mickaelian (aregmick@apaven.am) before 
> 
> August 10, 2008. Online registration will be also available soon at the 
> 
> BAO and ArAS web pages. 
> 
> The students must have a working knowledge of English which will be the 
> 
> official language of the school, as well as sufficient level in physics 
> 
> and mathematics. A maximum of 30 students will be selected. The 
> 
> participants will stay in the Byurakan Observatory hotel and hostel. 
> 
> Meals will be offered in Byurakan, too.
> 
> There is no participation fee. All lecturers and students may stay in 
> 
> Byurakan for free and the meals will be also offered for free. Those 
> 
> participants who wish to stay in Yerevan hotels should take care for the 
> 
> payments by themselves. 
> 
> The organizers will also take care for the transportation of all 
> 
> participants from the airport to Byurakan and back. 
> 
> 
> SPONSORS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
> 
> The school is supported by the Armenian Government, the Byurakan 
> 
> Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), and the Armenian Astronomical Society 
> 
> (ArAS).  
> 
> A small number of travel grants will be distributed for a partial 
> 
> support of students exceptionally from countries with limited resources. 
> 
> An application for a financial support with a brief justification should 
> 
> be sent by e-mail before June 30, 2008 to Areg Mickaelian 
> 
> (aregmick@apaven.am). 
> 
> 
> INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (IOC):
> 
> Don Barry (USA)
> Michel Dennefeld (France)
> Dieter Engels (Co-chair, Germany)
> Haik Harutyunian (Armenia)
> Daniel Kunth (France)
> Areg Mickaelian (Co-chair, Armenia)
> 
> 
> LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (LOC):
> 
> A.M.Mickaelian (Chair), 
> K.S. Gigoyan, L.R. Hovhannisyan, N.D. Melikyan, E.H. Nikoghosyan, L.A. 
> 
> Sargsyan, P.K. Sinamyan. 
> 
> 
> DEADLINES:
> 
> April 28, 2008         First Announcement
> June 30, 2008          Deadline for applications for support
> July 10, 2008          Notification on distribution of travel grants
> July 20, 2008          Second Announcement with tentative program
> August 10, 2008        Deadline for registration
> August 20, 2008        Final Announcement with detailed program
> September 20-30, 2008  Byurakan International Summer School
> 
> 
> CONTACT ADDRESSES:
> 
> Postal Address:    Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO),
>                    Byurakan 0213, Aragatzotn Province, Armenia.
> Phone:             +374-10 58-06-56 (Areg Mickaelian)
> Fax:               +374-10 51-92-05
> E-mail:            aregmick@apaven.am (Areg Mickaelian)
> Web page:          Will be set up soon at BAO (www.bao.am) 
>                    and ArAS (www.aras.am) pages
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>                         REGISTRATION FORM
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Name:
> First name:
> Age:
> Sex:
> 
> University, department:
> Year and stage of Academic studies:
> Country:
> 
> Your reasons for wishing to attend the school:
> 
> 
> Name and address of your supervisor or a person who will give 
> 
> recommendation:
> 
> Postal Address:
> Phone:                          Fax:
> E-mail:                         Web page:
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION:   August 10, 2008.
> -----------------------------------------------------------------