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Our Forthcoming Event
Guillermo Haro 2011 workshop on High Energy Astrophysic
July 6-15, 2011, Tonantzintla, Puebla, Mexico
 The
Programme |
Guillermo
Haro |
| Getting
to Puebla |
Local
information |
| Past
events |
Contact
addresses |
This Programme is in honor of the remarkable Mexican astronomer Guillermo Haro and will take place at INAOE, an institute founded by Haro, where he carried out most of his astronomical research.
Introduction
Astrophysics is an interdisciplinary science of increasing complexity. Understanding the nature and evolution of astronomical objects and phenomena leads to interrelations between diverse theoretical fields such as high energy physics, nuclear and plasma astrophysics, general relativity, physics of rarefied gases and chaotic dynamic systems, as well as observational techniques spanning the complete electromagnetic spectrum. The study of elementary particles of extremely diverse energies is accomplished by a variety of numerical simulations techniques as a partial substitute to direct experimentation.
Thus, advances in modern astrophysics usually demand interaction
amongst researchers of many fields. The collaborations established amongst
scientist coming from different fields of astronomy lead to new working
procedures enriched by the diversity of ideas from experts with all sorts
of astronomical backgrounds. These constitute the basis of any step towards
the frontiers of knowledge. Such philosophy can not be alien to the surroundings
where it is developed. Experience proves that locations of natural beauty
with intense and lively cultural traditions are an incentive towards a
wholesome expression in human spirit. The region of Cholula combines its
rich cultural tradition with
INAOE's presence, outgrowth of the former Tonantzintla-Tacubaya
Astrophysical Observatory which was a cornerstone in the modern history
of Mexican Astronomy.
Stimulated by these ideas we propose to create a research programme in advanced astrophysics with the following goals.
Objectives
1.To create a working atmosphere that favours research
in specific topics of Astrophysics, encouraging collaboration amongst
researchers and advanced students.
2.To promote the development of Astrophysical research
at INAOE.
Structure
1.A Panel will be responsible for the setting of the
Programme.
2.The Panel will carry out the Programme objectives
through workshops, conferences and postdoctoral fellowships oriented
towards high standard current astronomical topics.
3.The Programme will provide the conditions needed
for researchers, students and postdoctoral fellows to meet at INAOE
to develop advanced research activities. The Programme will guarantee financial
support, computing and library facilities and offices for the efficient
work of simultaneous participation of about 20 scientists.
4.Participants are expected to stay for a period of
not less than 3 weeks.
The Panel
1.The Panel will consist of internationally renowned
scientists.
2.The Panel functions will be to establish the Programme
norms, to choose the topics to be developed within the framework of an
annual schedule, to nominate the members to a scientific committee responsible
for the annual schedule, to evaluate periodically the Programme results,
to appoint new members to the Programme and to revise and update the Programme
objective and policies.
3.The Panel will appoint one of its members to act
as the Executive Secretary who will carry out the Programme policies. His/her
functions are detailed below. The Executive Secretary will be in office
for 2 years and will be alternated by the Panel members.
4.The INAOE Director General will be a Panel member.
The Coordinator
The Coordinator's duties are the following:
1.To represent the Programme.
2.To solve the logistic and organisative problems related
to the workshops and postdoctoral fellowships.
3.To guarantee that the Panel agreements are meet.
4.To organise the Panel meetings.
5.To present an annual report.
Programme Development
1.The scientific committee appointed by the Panel will
design the programme of each event. The scientific committee will be formed
by one or more members, and will be responsible for inviting experts in
the chosen subject as well as selecting the participants. The Panel will
issue partial evaluations about the workshop development suggesting to
the Executive Secretary measures neccesary to guarantee the event's success.
2.The postdoctoral fellowships will span the interval
between two consecutive Programme events, never lasting for less than a
year. The postdoctoral researchers will participate throughout a complete
programme and will be expected to work on the chosen subject.
3.The programme of each event will include at least
one Public Lecture.
Guillermo
Haro
He was a remarkable Mexican intellectual and
is best known internationally for his important contributions in the field
of Astronomy. In particular, his name is linked to the discoveries of Herbig-Haro
objects and blue galaxies, but he also contributed to the growth of other
areas of science and technology in Mexico. His professional studies were
not in science; rather, he obtained degrees in Law and Philosophy. A lawyer
by training, but an astronomer by heart, he devoted great effort to the
creation and development of the most important astrophysics research institutes
in Mexico today. First, during the fifties and the sixties, he was Director
of the Instituto de Astronomía-UNAM, and of the Astrophysical Observatory
of Tonantzintla, Puebla. Later, in 1972, he founded and was the first Director
of INAOE, located right next to the Observatory in Tonantzintla. With this,
he gave a solid push to the fields of Optics and Electronics and, for the
first time in the recent history of Mexico, a research and graduate studies
center was established outside Mexico City. INAOE has grown steadily, first
in Optics and later on in Electronics and Astrophysics, in these 25 years.
At present, it is a very active and world renowned center in the three
fields.
Professor Haro became member of the prestigious Colegio Nacional in 1953, and was a co-founder of La Academia de la Investigación Científica. These institutions are the most important national academic societies and gather the most important intellectuals of Mexico in all the areas of Science, Technology, Humanities, and Arts. Also, he was one of the main promoters for the transformation of the old Instituto Nacional de la Investigación Científica into the new Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, the organization that distributes federal government grants for basic and technological research, graduate studies programs, and scholarships for Mexican students in foreign countries. Prof. Haro was also a key person in the creation of two important publishing companies originated in Mexico: Fondo de Cultura Económica, and Editores Siglo XXI.
Transportation from the Mexico, D.F. airport to Puebla: there is a comfortable bus service by "Estrella Roja" which runs from Mexico City airport to the city of Puebla every 30 minutes. These leave from the airport zone D, next to International Arrivals (zone E). The fare is 198 Pesos (as of June 2010) and is paid in a kiosk located in front the bus departing zone. The ride takes about two hours. Those wanting to see the landscape (once outside Mexico City!) should sit on the right hand side of the bus. Buses departes at several hours arriving at Puebla major bus station (known locally as CAPU) and Terminal 4 Poniente. Please check an update timetable at www.estrellaroja.com.mx. Both Taxis at Terminal 4 Poniente and CAPU have regulated prices, so, after pick up your luggage from the bus, buy the taxi tickets in the designated area (look for the TAXIS sign). From CAPU to INAOE the rides take about 30 minutes and cost about 120 pesos. Tell the taxi driver to drop you at "El Observatorio" in Tonantzintla. If you go to the center ("Puebla centro") just tell the taxi driver the hotel's name. Similar prices and times from the "Terminal 4 Poniente". This terminal is better connected with the Airport, nearer to Puebla's downtown, more peaceful and we highly recommend.
We strongly advise you against taking taxis from Mexico City airport to Puebla as the fare will be astronomical (at least 1000 pesos). If you are highly adventurous and insist on driving to Tonantzintla, the basic instruction is to go to the city of Puebla (120 kms East), then after entering town head to Cholula (8 kms West) and from there to Tonantzintla (5 kms South). Simple, isn't it? To make life easier, exiting the airport you have to take "boulevard aeropuerto" to the south, after some 3 to 5 kms take "Calzada Ignacio Zaragoza", a wide kind of freeway road, towards the East. After some 15 kms it leads to the beginning of the motorway. Mind: take "Puebla cuota" and NOT" Puebla libre" (a rather bad road).
Local
informationMoney:The Mexican currency is the peso ($). The present exchange rate with the U.S. dollar is about $12.0 = 1.0USD, but this changes more rapidly than we would like. Please make sure you have some pesos with you BEFORE leaving the Mexico City airport, where there are plenty of currency exchange offices. Once in Mexico, not all places take US dollars or traveler's checks. Foreign credit cards are accepted in major restaurants, stores, and hotels. Best exchange rates are found in CASAS de CAMBIO (exchange houses) open only on weekdays, usually from 9 am to 5 pm. Most banks open only on weekdays, also from 9 am to 5 pm. The airport has 24 hour money exchange counters. USA cash or travelers checks are easier to change into pesos than other types of currency. Weather: Puebla is located at an altitude of 2200 meters (7100 feet). There is usually no rain during the spring, but it gets rainy during the summer and about the middle of autumn. The temperature varies from some 30 C (85-90 F) in the daytime to about 10 C (50 F) in the night/morning. Note that the air is thin, and it can get cool at night. Language: Spanish is the official language in Mexico. Because Puebla is not overly frequented by tourists, very few people speak English. We advise you to have a good dictionary and a phrasebook when you venture out.
Past
Events
Contact
Addresses
Last update by danrosa @ inaoep.mx on May 3, 2010