27th INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR YOUNG
ASTRONOMERS
Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane,
Morocco
July 02 - 23, 2004
The International School for Young Astronomers (ISYA) is one of the essential educational activities of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). It seeks the participation of young astronomers mainly, but not exclusively, from astronomically developing countries.
Objectives of ISYA 2004:
- Our main goal is to implement in Al Akhawayn University and other Moroccan institutions several areas of Astronomy, encouraging young people to get involved in them by discussing current research topics with experienced professionals from Morocco and abroad.
- We will give to the students the possibility of getting familiar with the use of several powerful astronomical facilities, from small telescopes and software to the large archives of public data produced for by space experiments such as HIPPARCOS, WMAP and HST or ground based observatories as VLT.
- This ISYA would be of great interest to strengthen the links between astronomy groups working in Morocco as well as with other countries in the area.
Course Structure:
- The language of the ISYA is English.
- Among the topics to be covered are: Galaxies, Stellar Populations, Cosmology, Dynamics of the Solar System, Stellar Astrophysics, Binaries, Extra solar Planets and High Energy Astrophysics.
- Practical exercises will be organized with data handling and reductions, using some of the usual packages (IRAF, AIPS, MIDAS). As some observing with a 20 cm telescope is also planned, among the ISYA activities, the students will have the opportunity of reducing their own data. For this purpose, a computer room with at least 26 PCs equipped with the major data reduction packages will be prepared at Al Akhawayn University
- Online bibliography will be accessed using the NASA Astrophysical Data System ADS and the SISSA preprint archive BABBAGE .
- Students will also have an opportunity to present short talks about their own research. Also a certain number of public lectures are planned in the city of Ifrane and the neighboring city of Fez.
Students and Financial support:
- The school will only accept a limited number of qualified students from various countries.
- The participants are expected to be graduate students holding a Master degree (or equivalent) in Science, in Astronomy or related fields, or undergraduate students close to graduation (in the last year of their studies).
- Accommodation for all participants will be provided by Al Akhawayn University.
- Travel grants for participants are also available. Those interested are encouraged to apply. They should mention the estimate of the cost for a round trip to Fes (Morocco), at the cheapest fare available at the time of travel.
Applications: (Download
application form here)
- Applicants should include their achieved level of studies in physics and astronomy and any topic of special interest.
- A letter of recommendation is required, evaluating academic standing and proficiency in English.
- Applications and letters of
reference should arrive at the latest by , preferably by e-mail to the following persons:
|
Dr. MICHELE
GERBALDI, |
Dr. HASSANE DARHMAOUI |
Dr. KHALIL CHAMCHAM |
Visa, Health and Insurance:
The organizers of the ISYA will provide all the necessary support to the participants but:
- Prior to their travel, participants should contact the Moroccan Embassy in the country of their residence for information about VISA to enter Morocco.
- The organizers will not be held responsible for any participant traveling to Morocco without a valid VISA (if required) or without a valid passport.
- Before traveling, participants should enquire with the health authorities of their own country whether they need any injections to travel to Morocco.
- Participants should make their own arrangements for insurance.