participants-foto

 

ASTRONOMY WITH RADIOACTIVITIES IV

 and

FILLING THE SENSITIVITY GAP IN MEV ASTRONOMY


May 26-30, 2003

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
AT THE EDUCATIONAL CENTER OF KLOSTER SEEON, BAVARIA, GERMANY  

A group of interested people met in Seeon at a workshop for the furthering of our understanding of
 and for discussing and comparing

Organization

The workshop started in the morning of Monday, May 26, and ended on the afternoon of Friday, May 30, 2003. It emphasized the astrophysical questions and results in the first part of the workshop (Mo-Wed), and the experimental aspects in the second part (Wed-Fri). Contributions have been arranged in a schedule of talks, posters were displayed for contributions which did not fit into this schedule.


The workshop location was the Kultur- und Bildungszentrum at Kloster Seeon, a former monastary located approximately a one-hour drive southeast of Munich, Germany.
The total number of participants was 72.

We plan the publication of workshop proceedings with a suitable publishing institution and format.

Co-Organizing Institutions were:
We thank all participants for their contributions and discussions, which made this workshop so successful.


In case of questions, please contact Roland Diehl (email rod at mpe.mpg.de), or Gottfried Kanbach as main coordinators, or any other organizer.
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Milestones:
 


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Workshop Program

Context of this Workshop:

As a part of nuclear astrophysics, "astronomy with radioactivities" is concerned with interpretation of all kinds of of measurements of cosmic radioactive isotopes (in meteorites, in cosmic rays, through photons from radio to gamma-ray energies). As one of the measurement approaches, the construction of gamma-ray telescopes is a major challenge. At this conference we will discuss the issues of astrophysical nucleosynthesis sources and the issues concerning the measurements side-by-side over four days among a group of about 50 scientists.
Almost 30 years of extensive experimental efforts have advanced the astronomy of newly formed isotopes to a highly active area: Gamma-rays from the decay of radioactive material probe nuclear processes in stellar interiors during hydrostatic and explosive  phases. The study of cosmic rays sheds light on particle processing and  transport between their creation and their detection in near-earth space. Solar-system meteorites have been found to include traces of radioactive decay in grains of presolar origin. Even the radioactivities included in terrestical material reveal cosmic nucleosynthesis, 60Fe most prominently, and with a direct link to gamma-ray astronomy.

Our workshop aims to integrate astronomical techniques and studies as well as laboratory studies of radioactivities into the general framework of astrophysics and the nucleosynthesis sites and processes. This addresses element synthesis in stars and in the interstellar medium, the environmental properties of sites of massive star formation, the dynamics of the ISM, galactic chemical and dynamical evolution, the origin and evolution of the solar system, and chemical evolution of the universe as a whole. At the same time, we aim to "ground" theorists' dreams through thorough exposure of experimental aspects, and discuss constraints and potential of the equipment which provides us with the observational facts of cosmic radioactivities. This time we emphasize gamma-ray telescopes, not only because of the milestone of the INTEGRAL Observatory launch, but also to help prepare the groundwork for necessary advances in this difficult technology.
Previous workshops in this context were "The Radioactive Galaxy", held at Clemson University in March 1996, and "Astronomy with Radioactivites II and III", held at Ringberg castle in September 1999 and May 2001, respectively, and "Filling the Sensitivity Gap" held on Ringberg Castle in July 2000.

 Workshop Themes

The focus points of each workshop in our series derive from observational or experimental advances that ocurred in the recent past or are expected to ocur in the near future. These advances impact astrophysical questions such as:

In addition to detailed discussions of the sources and production mechanisms for radioactivities, and an in-depth evaluation of the constraints derived from gamma-ray, meteoritic, and cosmic-ray data, we will focus attention on the analysis of oceanfloor sediments, and on the physics and technology of gamma-ray telescopes:


The "sessions" of the workshop will have an introductory talk, and mainly consist of a selected set of advanced, contributed talks, and advertisements of poster contributions. Lively discussions are a strong tradition at our workshops, and generous poster display and viewing will be arranged to ensure that each participant's contribution is communicated effectively. Every selected presentation shall receive adequate time, and we will determine relative session "weights" according to the stated goals of this workshop and the interests expressed by the participants. We will arrange ample opportunities for informal discussions throughout the workshop.

Themes of the workshop thus will be:

  • Production and Ejection of Radioisotopes from Source Sites (Nuclear physics news, models with mixing and symmetry aspects for stellar interiors and explosive events)
  • Propagation and Fate of Radioisotopes in their Source Vicinity (Early SNR phases with initial molecule and dust formation, WR winds, nova envelopes, dust processing in ISM, chemical evolution of the ISM)
  • Gamma-Ray Measurement & their Interpretations (Radioactivity from 26Al, 60Fe, and annihilation diffuse gamma-ray emission, supernova and nova diagnostics in short-lived (<100y) radioactivity lines from 44Ti, 22Na, 7Be)
  • Isotopic Studies on Pre-Solar Grains & their Interpretations (Extinct radioactivities in pre-solar grains, their implications for dust formation and nucleosynthesis environments in AGB stars, novae, and SNae)
  • Isotopes in the ISM, the Solar System and in Terrestial Material (Cosmic-ray nuclear reactions in the ISM and near compact objects/BH, in the early solar nebula and present solar system, solar flare nuclear lines, direct isotope measurements through space probes, meteoritic analyses, and oceanfloor samples. We will highlight the measurements and interpretation of oceanfloor samples in a special session)
  • Astronomical Capabilities and Opportunities (Perspectives for cosmic radioactivity measurements: gamma-ray telescopes, cosmic-ray composition explorers, and isotopic analyses on pre-solar grains: astrophysical needs versus projects and concepts)
  • Gamma-ray Telescope Designs (Performances of INTEGRAL's gamma-ray telescopes, new Compton telescope projects, alternative cosmic gamma-ray detectors, specific experimental issues, background aspects, data analysis, and mission opportunities)
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    by Roland Diehl / rod at mpe.mpg.de
    History -  24Nov2003: Update: eliminate email links (spam)
    - 11Nov2003: Update: add picture gallery
    - 02Oct2003: Update after papers completion
    - 02Jun2003: Update after workshop completion
    - 05May2003: Update cost (accomp) and dates
    - 28Mar2003: Streamline as workshop comes closer
    - 11Mar2003: Update for Registration
    - 24Jan2003: Update for 2nd Circular and Reminder
    - 07Aug2002: Include 1stCircular details
    - 26Jul2002: add corase outline and dates/schedule
    - 24May2002: change to Kloster Seeon reservations
    - 25Oct2001: create early-announcement page