Workshop on Theoretical and Laboratory Studies of Icy Regoliths

Description:

This workshop is designed to increase scientific exchange between researchers working on the icy regoliths of different solar system bodies, and particularly between experimentalists and modelers in the US and the EU.

The workshop will consist of contributed talks highlighting the work being done by groups on both continents, and topical discussion sessions. Potential topics of discussion may include 1) what inputs/parameters in current numerical models are not well characterized empirically, and could be valuable targets for future laboratory analysis; 2) technical and logistical challenges encountered in laboratory work, and how these might be mitigated by communication and collaboration between research groups; 3) ways in which numerical modeling and laboratory work can support upcoming spacecraft missions.

Dates

The workshop will begin on the morning of Tuesday, September 5 and end on the afternoon of Thursday, September 7, 2017. Attendees should plan on arriving in Green Bank on Monday, September 4 and departing Friday, September 8 in order to participate in all workshop activities.

Travel, Lodging, and Meals

The Green Bank Observatory (GBO) was the first dedicated facility for radio astronomy in the United States and the site of the first SETI observations carried out by Frank Drake. The facility’s remote location in the Allegheny Highlands of West Virginia helps protect its eight telescopes from radio interference. We also hope the remote location will facilitate in-depth discussions.

The street address is:

Green Bank Observatory
155 Observatory Road
Green Bank, WV, 24944

and our GPS coordinates are: 38.431950, -79.817135

The observatory is approximately 4-5 hours from Washington, DC and Pittsburgh, PA, and approximately 2.5 hours from Charlottesville, VA. We recommend that workshop attendees traveling by air fly into Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport (CHO).

We recommend traveling between the airport and the observatory via rental car, as this will facilitate exploring the scenic area around Green Bank.  However, shuttle service is available to and from both airports for a fee (shuttle service is not covered in the workshop fee).

Attendees will stay in the observatory residence hall. Meals will be provided on-site.

The conference fees will cover lodging and meal costs ($323 for double occupancy; $408 for single occupancy).

Radio Frequency Interference and the National Radio Quiet Zone

Green Bank Observatory is located in the heart of the National Radio Quiet Zone and the West Virginia Radio Astronomy Zone. These areas provide regulatory protection against certain sources of radio frequency interference that may otherwise negatively impact the scientific operations of the observatory. There is no cell phone reception within many miles of the observatory. GPS navigation typically works but should not be solely relied upon, and maps should be downloaded for offline use. The use of wireless internet, Bluetooth, and other wireless communications is strictly prohibited on observatory grounds. Electronic equipment, including digital cameras, are prohibited near telescopes.

Wired ethernet connections are available for use by attendees in work areas and the residence hall rooms, and observatory computing resources will also be accessible. Attendees should be sure that any personal computers or tablets are compatible with a wired ethernet connection. Adapters for tablets and ultra-portable laptops will not be provided.

More information is available here.

Odds and Ends

Green Bank is located at an elevation of 2,700 feet (~823 meters). Weather in early September can be quite cool at night and even during the day. Closed-toe shoes are required for tours of the Green Bank Telescope (GBT).

Organization

Science Organizing Committee: Bastian Gundlach, Paul Hayne, Hanna Sizemore
Local Organizing Committee: Hanna Sizemore, Ronald Maddalena, Kristine Sharp

Pay for Registration