Around 500 astronomers and space scientists will gather at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Wales, from 5-9 July, for the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2015). The conference is the largest regular professional astronomy event in the UK and will see leading researchers from around the world presenting the latest work in a variety of fields.

A bizarre cosmic rarity NGC 660Polar-ring galaxy NGC 660. Credit: ESA / HubbleNAM 2015 will be held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the UK Solar Physics (UKSP) and Magnetosphere Ionosphere Solar-Terrestrial physics (MIST) groups. The conference is principally sponsored by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

Sessions at NAM 2015 will cover a diverse range of topics, including new models for the origin, evolution and fate of the universe; results from recent planetary missions like Rosetta and MESSENGER, and what New Horizons might tell us about Pluto during the first-ever flyby on 14 July; the habitability of planets around other stars; giant surveys carried out by Gaia and similar projects; and public engagement.

Alongside the formal meeting a suite of events will run for schools and the general public. Highlights include a science show with UK Slam Champion Deanna Rodger and astrobiologist, broadcaster and author Lewis Dartnell, and a lecture by the Astronomer Royal, Lord Rees of Ludlow.

A day for teachers will be an integral part of the conference, funded by the National Schools Observatory, ESERO-UK and the Ogden Trust, and leading outreach experts will be working with schools in the area. Monday will see a ‘hack day’, sponsored by GitHub, where delegates will develop virtual and physical tools to help researchers with their work.

Meeting arrangements and a full and up to date schedule of the scientific programme can be found on the official website and via Twitter.

Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the Meeting and can register at no cost. Press room facilities will be available for the duration of the conference – from 0900 BST on Monday 6 July to 1430 BST on Thursday 9 July. A series of releases, issued under embargo, will cover key scientific results presented at the meeting.

Full details of the conference can be seen on the main website and for the media on the press release page.

• For free registration please contact the NAM 2015 Local Organising Committee via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• From the end of this week (2 July onwards) embargoed releases will be available in advance via the protected press area of the website. For username and password details please contact a member of the conference press team below.

 


Media contacts

 

Dr Robert Massey
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)794 124 8035
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Ms Anita Heward

Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)7756 034 243
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Dr Sam Lindsay
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0) 7957 566 861
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Notes for editors

 

The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. The RAS organises scientific meetings, publishes international research and review journals, recognizes outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 3800 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others. Follow the RAS on Twitter

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC, www.stfc.ac.uk) is keeping the UK at the forefront of international science and tackling some of the most significant challenges facing society such as meeting our future energy needs, monitoring and understanding climate change, and global security. The Council has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise in materials science, space and ground-based astronomy technologies, laser science, microelectronics, wafer scale manufacturing, particle and nuclear physics, alternative energy production, radio communications and radar. It enables UK researchers to access leading international science facilities for example in the area of astronomy, the European Southern Observatory. Follow STFC on Twitter

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