Active Galaxies Newsletter
An electronic publication dedicated to the observations and theory of active galaxiesEdited by Melanie Gendre
Below is a short list of such adverts recently posted in the Newsletter, along with relevant contact links.
Please note that the latest meeting abverts can be found in the recent issues of the newsletter.
Conferences, meetings and workshops :
Heidelberg, Germany
July 9-13, 2012
The 5th International Symposium on High-Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy (Gamma2012), organized by the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, will take place July 9-13, 2012, in Heidelberg, Germany. Following the tradition of past Symposia, the meeting will cover the major observational and theoretical aspects of the field with an emphasis on the high (GeV) and very high (TeV) energy intervals of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Scientific topics to be addressed will range from the origin of galactic and extragalactic cosmic rays to the physics and astrophysics of compact objects (Pulsars, Microquasars, AGN) and cosmological issues related to Dark Matter and Intergalactic radiation and magnetic fields.
Being dedicated to a centenary of cosmic ray research triggered by Victor Hess' report in Physikalische Zeitschrift 13 (1912), this 2012 Symposium will have a special focus on the link between VHE gamma- and cosmic-rays.
The Symposium will be held at the historic Kongresshaus Stadthalle Heidelberg, which can comfortably accommodate 300-400 participants.
On behalf of SOC: F. Aharonian (Chair) and LOC: W. Hofmann (Chair) and F. Rieger (Co-Chair).
European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), Madrid, Spain
25-27 June 2012
Email: tdconf_esac2012 at sciops.esa.int
Gigantic X-ray, UV and optical flares have been seen from the nuclei of a small number of galaxies. These extraordinary flares have been interpreted as the tidal disruption of a stellar object by a quiescent black hole, if the hosts were non-active, or as dramatic changes in the accretion environment, if the galaxy appeared as a classical AGN. The very distinctive lightcurves and spectra of tidal disruption events (TDE), predicted in advance by pioneering theoretical work, clearly distinguish them from AGN activity and establish them as an important field of study in their own right. Recent, high-quality observations of TDE, differ in detail from early expectations of thermal emission from steadily returning stellar debris and challenge the sophisticated theoretical and numerical models which are now emerging.
Large and very rare flux changes in known AGN, pose challenges for our understanding of accretion disk processes and the immediate nuclear environment. The discovery of jetted emission from SWIFT J1644+57, probably induced by a stellar disruption, has opened a new window into the phenomenon and provides a further link between tidal disruption events and AGN. Over the next few years, sensitive, large-area, surveys will come on-line and likely detect extragalactic flares in large numbers.
The aim of this workshop is to bring together theorists and observers for a review of previous and current observations and state-of-the-art modelling, helping to develop a strategy for the identification and follow-up of future events.
