From 1-5 July, around five hundred astronomers and space scientists will gather at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, for the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting 2013 (NAM 2013), one of Europe’s largest professional astronomy conferences.
NAM 2013 will see presentations on cutting-edge research in astronomy and space science, covering topics like the rise in solar activity and its effect on space weather; planets around other stars, dark matter, cosmology, proposed space missions, results from the ALMA and LOFAR radio observatories, astronomical heritage and education and public outreach.
Media representatives are cordially invited to attend NAM 2013. Meeting arrangements and a full and up to date schedule of the scientific program can be found on the official website at http://www.nam2013.co.uk
For free registration please contact Robert Massey (details below). Press room facilities will be available for the duration of the conference — from 9 a.m. on Monday, 1 July, to 5 p.m. on Friday, 5 July.
NAM 2013 will be held in conjunction with the UK Solar Physics (UKSP) and Magnetosphere Ionosphere Solar-Terrestrial physics (MIST) meetings.
The conference is principally sponsored by the RAS, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). and the University of St. Andrews. NAM 2013 will form part of the ongoing program to celebrate the University’s 600th anniversary, and a program of events for the general public will take place alongside the conference.
Contacts:
Dr. Robert Massey (for free media registration)
Royal Astronomical Society
+44 (0)20 7734 3307 / 4582 x214, cell: +44 (0)794 124 8035
rm@ras.org.uk
Ms. Emma Shea
Head of Development Communications
University of St. Andrews
+44 (0)1334 462 167, cell: +44 (0)785 090 0352
emma.shea@st-andrews.ac.uk
NAM 2013: http://www.nam2013.co.uk Twitter: @rasnam2013
UKSP: http://www.uksolphys.org
MIST: http://www.mist.ac.uk/
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS: http://www.ras.org.uk), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. The RAS organizes scientific meetings, publishes international research and review journals, recognizes outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 3,500 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC: http://www.stfc.ac.uk) is keeping the UK at the forefront of international science and tackling some of the most significant challenges facing society such as meeting our future energy needs, monitoring and understanding climate change, and global security. The Council has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise in materials science, space and ground-based astronomy technologies, laser science, microelectronics, wafer scale manufacturing, particle and nuclear physics, alternative energy production, radio communications and radar. It enables UK researchers to access leading international science facilities for example in the area of astronomy, the European Southern Observatory.
Founded in the 15th century, St. Andrews (http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/600) is Scotland’s first university and the third oldest in the English speaking world. Teaching began in the community of St. Andrews in 1410 and the University was formally constituted by the issue of Papal Bull in 1413. The University is now one of Europe’s most research intensive seats of learning — over a quarter of its turnover comes from research grants and contracts. It is one of the top rated universities in Europe for research, teaching quality and student satisfaction and is consistently ranked among the UK’s top five in leading independent league tables produced by The Times, The Guardian and the Sunday Times. The University is currently celebrating its 600th anniversary and pursuing a #100 million fundraising campaign, launched by Patron and alumnus HRH Prince William Duke of Cambridge, including #4 million to fund the creation of an ‘Other Worlds’ Think Tank and Observatory. The new think tank and Observatory project will extend the University of St. Andrews’ flagship work on extra-solar planets, and provide a creative environment for problem-focused research, education and continuing public engagement.
