Information for participantsThe aim of the NEON schools is to provide the opportunity for young researchers to gain practical experience in observational techniques, data reduction and analysis. Students will carry out small research projects, centered on selected astrophysical topics, in small groups under the supervision of experienced astronomers. These practical exercises will be complemented by lectures on general observational techniques. The observing school at the telescopes on La Palma will concentrate on the skills required to execute an observing programs (imaging and spectroscopy) and instrumental developments. LocationThe 2008 NEON school will be hosted by the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes and the Nordic Optical Telescope. The observations will be carried out with the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope and the 2.5-m Nordic Optical Telescope. |
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The telescopes are located on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands,
and form part of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory that hosts many other
telescopes as well and is Europe's prime observatory in the Northern Hemisphere.
Key dates and scheduleFor the latest detailed programme see this link.The original preliminary programme can be found here. Travel to/from and on La PalmaSome useful hints about traveling to La Palma can be found here. Note there is no need to complete the bookings form, as local transport and hotel bookings will be arranged for you.Upon arrival at La Palma airport there will be a taxi or minibus waiting for you to take you up to the observatory. It is therefore essential that you let us know when you arrive. After having picked up your luggage, look out for someone with a "NEON" sign just outside the luggage collection area, and make yourself known. The trip to the observatory takes just over one hour on a very nice but windy road. Once you have made the arrangements for your flight to La Palma please send your travel details to Monica Abreu (email: mar@ing.iac.es) so that we are informed about your arrival and departure dates. In the unlikely event that you arrive not at the planned time please contact Monica Abreu by email or telephone (+34 922 425410). AccommodationThe first week will take place at the Roque de los Muchachos observatory. Sleeping quarters will be arranged for everyone in the "Residencia" at the observatory site. Students will have to share rooms with a colleague. The Residencia also provides a basic catering service. Note that the observatory is quite isolated, so make sure that you bring everything you need with you for the duration of the stay at the mountain top.Don't forget to bring warm clothes, good shoes and a flash light, as nights can be cold and will certainly be dark. The second week will take place in Santa Cruz, the main town on La Palma. Accommodation will be booked in Hotel Castillete in town. During the day we'll work at the Mayantigo building where the observatory has its offices. The Mayantigo building is at walking distance from the hotel. Here is a map. The cost of all accommodation and transport during the NEON school will be paid directly by the organizers. If you have a (potentially) serious medical condition or need special requirements then please let Monica Abreu (email: mar@ing.iac.es) know before you arrive. Finally, a useful entery point for preparing the visit to La Palma can be found here, but remember that accommodation bookings will be taken care of for you. Please pay particular attention to the section on Health and Safety. ParticipantsThomas BrozekAlessandra Candian Catia Cardoso Denija Crnojevic Istvan Dekany Marek Husarik Jonas Johansson Jean-Christophe Leyder Smriti Mahajan Ingo Misgeld Maria Monguio Boyke Rochau Marilena Sapvone Dorota Szczygiel Krisztian Vida Emma Walker Tutors and lecturersMaria Jesus Arevalo, IAC, TenerifeRomano Corradi, ING, La Palma Michel Dennefeld, IAP, Paris Richard Hook, ST-ECF/ESO, Munich Johan Knapen, IAC, Tenerife Heidi Korhonen, ESO, Munich Tapio Pursimo, NOT, La Palma Contact points and useful linksFor all practical queries related to the organization of the NEON school the primary contact person is Monica Abreu, email: mar@ing.iac.es Some useful links for background information: |