The 2011 May Symposium takes place May 2-5 at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Md. The focus of the symposium is “Dark Matter” and covers a wide range of topics in the areas of both astrophysics and particle physics. There will be invited talks on experiments designed for direct and indirect detection of dark matter; on astronomical observations of dark matter; and on alternative theories of gravity.

The Symposium will also include a special Science Writers Workshop (SWW) on Thursday, May 5, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at STScI. The SWW invited speakers are:

Megan Donahue (Michigan State University) “Constraints on Dark Matter from X-ray Observations”

Risa Wechsler (Stanford University) “Dark Matter Properties and Galaxy Properties”

Juan Collar (University of Chicago) “The Latest Results from CoGeNT and COUPP”

Albert de Roeck (CERN) “Results and Expectations from the Large Hadron Collider”

Mario Livio (STScI) “Putting Astrophysics and Particle Physics Together”

Journalists interested in registering for the Dark Matter Symposium and/or the Science Writers Workshop, or obtaining more information should visit: http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/spring2011

The Symposium is hosted by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). STScI is located at 3700 San Martin Drive in Baltimore, Md. The institute conducts Hubble Space Telescope science operations. STScI is operated for NASA, by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., in Washington, D.C. The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center manages the telescope.