Science at the IAU
Scientifically, the General Assembly appears to have been an outstanding success. Attendees had the luxury of attending up to six symposia, the scientific showpieces of the event, and 21 Joint Discussions, as well as various other special sessions and events. The main disappointment was that it was only possible to listen to a fraction of the interesting talks, and to read a small number of the interesting posters. Many ATNF staff were involved in the organization of the scientific programmes. Four of the symposia had ATNF co-chairs or SOC members (IAU216 Maps of the Cosmos; IAU217 Recycling intergalactic and interstellar matter; IAU218 Young Neutron Stars and their Environments; IAU220 Dark Matter in Galaxies). Their duties continue as the deadline for the submission of conference papers has passed, and proceedings have to be published! Those attending the General Symposia were treated to some excellent talks, excellent weather and an excellent venue. Highlights were many, and to name a small number would do injustice to the many others. But owing to the wide-ranging knowledge of many audience members, many of the review talks were well-received - for example, the series of reviews on the Cosmic Microwave Background and the Dark Matter problem. As the attendance was so good, in the end, it was possible to renew many old acquaintances and to meet new people and form new collaborations. Undoubtedly, the General Assembly was also an excellent place to showcase Australian astronomy, and we look forward to reaping the scientific benefits over the coming years!
Lister Staveley-Smith
(Lister.Staveley-Smith@csiro.au)