Brussels (Belgium), 19-20 December 2003

Preliminary scientific programme

Friday 19, 14h

Arnould M.	Welcome	5
Arenou/Lattanzi	Introduction	10
Mignard F.	"Status of missions"	15

	- DMS Detection capabilities session -
Nurmi P.	"Imaging DMS in AF11"	15
Dollet C.	"Combination of ASM or AF11 windows for the imaging of structured objects"	15
Mignot S.	"On-board detection and selection of DMS"	20

	- Statistical properties session -
Söderhjelm S.	"Census of binaries"	20
Sozzetti, A.	"Planetary systems: statistical properties, theoretical efforts,and future prospects"	25

	- Simulation session -
Babusiaux C.	"SWG report, introduction to simulations"	15
	* Discussion *

Social dinner

Saturday 20, 9h30

	- DMS and photometry session -
Halbwachs J-L.	"Variable unresolved binaries"	10
Dischler J.	"Eclipsing binaries from population-synthesis"	15
Söderhjelm S.	"Census of eclipsing binaries"	10

	- Algorithms session -
Arenou F.	"Doubles stars with GDAAS ASM data handling"	15
Pourbaix D.	"Astrometric binaries in GDAAS"	15
Soderhjelm S.	"Visual binaries in GDAAS"	5
Sozzetti, A.	"Post-mortem T0: fine tuning fitting procedures"	15
	* Discussion *

Meeting venue

The conference will take place at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), in the Solvay Room, located on the 5th floor of the NO building, on Campus Plaine, Boulevard du Triomphe (1050 Bruxelles - Ixelles).

The easiest way to reach Campus Plaine is with metro line 1A connecting downtown (e.g., Gare Centrale) to Hermann-Debroux. Get off at Delta, and follow the long tunnel which leads you directly to Campus Plaine. From there, follow the signs to the NO building (Mathématiques-Physique). More information about the Brussels public transportation system (STIB) can be found at http://www.stib.irisnet.be/. Alternatives to metro 1A are bus 71 (direction Delta) or local trains (Etterbeek station).

When finding your way to the conference, do not confuse Campus Plaine with the main ULB campus, named `Solbosch', and located about 1 km to the West.

From Brussels airport, there are frequent trains connecting to Brussels Central Station (Gare Centrale). The journey takes about 20 minutes with trains every 15 minutes. To go from Gare Centrale to hotel Atlas, take metro lines 1A or 1B and get off at Sainte Catherine (5 minutes).

For those coming by train, be aware that not all international trains stop at Gare Centrale (especially not the high-speed trains Thalys, TGV and Eurostar). Those stop at Gare du Midi (South Station).

Accomodation

Because there is a strong demand for hotel rooms in Brussels during the holiday seasons, we have prebooked 10 rooms in hotel*** ATLAS which is very conveniently located near the historic heart of Brussels (Grand-Place) and in one of the most trendy part of the city (St-Gery square). The very interesting rate we have negociated with the Atlas hotel is just 60 EUR per night for a single room, 65 EUR for a double room. Although participants are of course free to do their own reservation in the hotel of their choice, the above rates are the best Price/Quality ratio one may hope for. Please note that this rate can only be guaranteed for rooms booked before the November 15, 2003 deadline and for dates encompassing the conference.

The deadline for hotel registration at the reduced rate was November 15, 2003 !

Booking after November 15th should be done individually by each participant, using the form available on the hotel webpage. Please mention in the comment field "GAIA DMS-PS" We also encourage you not to send your credit card data through the web but instead to send them by fax (+32 2 502 69 35).

Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, 30
Brussels 1000 - Belgium

Voice : +32-2 502 60 06 Fax : +32-2 502 69 35

Weather and tourist information

Home to several international organisations (European Union, NATO...), Brussels has developed a rich cultural life.
It has a long history at the heart of Europe, as reflected by its many rich museums and architectural buildings. All tourist-related information may be found on the web site of the Brussels tourist bureau.
Here is another site of great interest. And here or here.

The belgian weather is temperate with oceanic influence, and as a matter of fact is very unstable.
Weather forecasts may be found here.

Contact address

Institut d'Astronomie et d'Astrophysique
Office 2.N4.205 (building NO)
Université Libre de Bruxelles
Campus de la Plaine - CP226
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: 32 2 6503571
Fax: 32 2 6504226
E-mail: pourbaix@astro.ulb.ac.be