Merging Black Holes in Galaxies:
Galaxy Evolution, AGN and Gravitational Waves
Katoomba, 15 to 20 June 2008
Welcome
The conference on "Merging Black Holes in Galaxies" is the first in the "Southern Cross Astrophysics Conference Series" which will be held annually at a suitable venue in Australia. It will be held from June 15 to 20, 2008, at the Hydro Majestic Hotel in Medlow Bath near Katoomba, Australia. The venue is located in the Blue Mountains, about 100 km north-west of Sydney.
About 100 participants from around the world are expected. In addition to invited speakers, there is the opportunity for contributed presentations. Please send your suggested talk title and abstract to Robert Braun, using firstname.surname@csiro.au.
Motivation
The past decades have seen a growing appreciation for the fundamental role of mergers in shaping the range of galaxies and their nuclei in the local universe. While some aspects of this role are becoming clear, a whole new range of questions has arisen regarding the time-scales for, and inter-play of, galaxy and super-massive black hole evolution. In this meeting we will review our current understanding of the merger phenomenon and it's aftermath and consider the exciting prospect of direct detection of gravitational waves from SMBH mergers using precision pulsar timing measurements. This topic represents a convergence of the research interests of Dick Manchester and Ron Ekers, two valued colleagues at the ATNF who will be reaching the end of their terms as Australian Research Council Federation Fellows, whose careers we celebrate with this meeting.
VISA requirements
All travellers to Australia must have a valid visa before boarding their plane. Participants require either a Short Validity Business ETA or a Business (Short Stay) Visa. Conference participants who are not eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) need to request a "Letter of Invitation" to supplement their application.
The conference is supported by the following institutions:
