March 25, 1998 Dear Participant, Please, find below the information about the BLACK HOLE Workshop in Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen, Sweden (June 29 - July 4, 1998). We would appreciate if you can send us the registration form by e-mail (attached at the very end of this announcement) before ######### April 15 ######### so that we can plan the scientific sessions. We now request the titles of your talks (except invited review talks) and posters. We will try to incorporate all requests for oral presentations, but some may be moved to the poster session. We are planning to distribute the program by May 1. If you are planning to bring your spouse along, please also fill in the appropriate information in the registration form. If you do not know the exact time of your arrival/departure to/from \"Ostersund by April 15, please let us know as soon as you know. If you are not able to get a cheap ticket for the Stockholm-\"Ostersund flight, please, let us know by April 30, so we can book a ticket (~900SEK) for you on flights marked RECOMMENDED (see below). Updated information will appear on the home page of the workshop http://www.astro.su.se/groups/head/BH98.html If you need a hotel in Stockholm before or after the workshop, please let us know. We have booked a cheaper hotel (~400 SEK, including breakfast) in the most beautiful suburb of Stockholm - Saltsj\"obaden - located in the Stockholm archipelago and where Stockholm Observatory is located. Of course, you are welcome to make your own arrangements. In case we missed something, misspelled somebody's name, mentioned wrong affiliation, forgot some important information, please, send a polite e-mail to juri@astro.su.se, and we will try to accommodate your wishes, corrections, etc. Best regards, Juri Poutanen, Roland Svensson (on behalf of the organizing committee) ************************************************************************** BLACK HOLE WORKSHOP ************************************************************************** HIGH ENERGY PROCESSES IN ACCRETING BLACK HOLES: OBSERVATIONAL AND THEORETICAL ADVANCES DUE TO ONGOING SPACE MISSIONS ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* Location: Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen, Swedish Mountains Time: June 29 - July 4, 1998 ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************* Sponsored by Anna-Greeta and Holger Crafoords Fund NFR (Swedish Natural Science Research Council) NORDITA (Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics, Copenhagen) NorFA (Nordic Academy for Advanced Studies) TAC (Theoretical Astrophysics Center, Copenhagen) Wenner-Gren Center Foundation for Scientific Research ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* Scientific Organizing Committee: Igor Novikov Theoretical Astrophysics Center, Juliane Maries Vej 30, 2100 Copenhagen O, Denmark Phone: +45-353 25901, Fax: +45-353 25910, E-mail: novikov@tac.dk Juri Poutanen Stockholm Observatory, SE-133 36 Saltsj\"obaden, SWEDEN Phone: +46-8-164468, MobilPhone: +46-70-3139531 Fax: +46-8-7174719, E-mail: juri@astro.su.se Roland Svensson Stockholm Observatory, SE-133 36 Saltsj\"obaden, SWEDEN Phone: +46-8-164445, Fax: +46-8-7174719, E-mail: svensson@astro.su.se Andrzej Zdziarski N. Copernicus Astronomical Center, ul. Bartycka 18, PL-00-716 Warsawa, POLAND Phone: +48-22-410041-29, Fax: +48-22-410046, E-mail: aaz@camk.edu.pl ************************************************************************** Local Organizing Committee: Juri Poutanen, Roland Svensson ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************** HOME PAGE http://www.astro.su.se/groups/head/BH98.html ************************************************************************** ****************************************************************** ******** PRACTICAL INFORMATION ********************************* ****************************************************************** ****************************************************************** INFORMATION ABOUT Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen ****************************************************************** Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen is a tiny mountain resort on the eastern slope of the Oviken mountains out in the wilderness. It is located approximately 600 km NNW of Stockholm. It is quite far north (lat. 63^o), but it may surprise you that it is indeed very close to the geographic center of Sweden. It is still quite a bit south of Arctic circle, but close enough that we shall have daylight around the clock at the time of the Workshop. Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen is located about 700 m above sea level just at the tree line. It has a central building with a restaurant, a small store, sauna, solarium, etc. Spread around the central building there are a number of small cottages, each having a bathroom with shower, a small kitchen with refrigerator, electric heating and a color TV. Most cottages also have a nice front porth for basking in the afternoon sun. All meals will be served in the restaurant in the central building. The restaurant is licensed for wine and liquor, but it should be mentioned that prices for alcoholic beverages are high in Sweden. There is a Laplander native population in the area and they keep reindeer herds on the mountain side. There are also a variety of wild animals. The surroundings are very scenic and great for outdoor activities. The nearest mountain is "\"Ostfj\"allet", 1200 m above sea level. The peak is only 4 km from Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen. Other mountains are within easy reach and there are several marked routes. Our hosts at Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen are Annika and Tommy Hagstr\"om, who will make everything possible to make our stay a pleasant one. ****************************************************************** Mail and telephone service ****************************************************************** The mailing address during the Workshop is Black Hole Workshop Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen Fj\"allanl\"aggning Box 129 S-840 44 Oviken Sweden Phone: +46-(0)643-52010 Fax: +46-(0)643-52335 46 is the code of Sweden, 0643 is the area code (skip 0 when calling from abroad). Since there are no phones in the cottages, it is recommended that outside callers simply leave a message asking for a call back. E-mail will NOT be available during the workshop. Juri Poutanen can be reached by: Phone: 46-8-164468, Fax: +46-8-7174719 (when in Stockholm, before the workshop) or dialing his mobil-phone: +46-70-3139531 (070-3139531 in Sweden) ****************************************************************** Recommended clothing and some tourist information ****************************************************************** June is early summer in this area - the snow will be gone, but the terrain can be wet. The afternoon temperature will usually be in the range of 15-20^o C, but may be lower in the case of rain and strong winds. The weather is usually clear and sunny in June and we shall have daylight around the clock. You will have use for practical heavy sport clothes such as a rain- and windproof jacket, sweaters, heavy sport shoes. RUBBER BOOTS are recommended for walking in the mountains as it will be quite wet. A small back pack will be useful to carry small things for those who will make short excursions. Mittens or gloves and a cap or hat will also be useful. Some of the items may be bought in the local store together with maps, route descriptions, and mosquito repellents. Mosquito repellent with the most effective but poisonous substances are no longer for sale in Sweden, so you may want to buy the repellents in your home country. Do not forget to bring sun glasses and sun lotion. There will be no point in bringing formal clothes - you cannot use them up there! For participants who plan a longer hiking trip there are cottages open for overnight stops along the recommended mountain routes. You are requested to bring your own sheets or sleeping-bag, since beds with blankets and pillows are permanently available in these cottages. It is also a good idea to bring a small compass. Our hosts can provide the necessary equipment (e.g. tents) and maps. There is a possibility to rent mountain bikes (at 100 SEK/day). The area is great for fishing both in the lakes, rivers, and small streams. Bring your own fishing equipment if you like to try. It will also be possible to borrow the equipment. ****************************************************************** TRAVEL INFORMATION ****************************************************************** The nearest town is \"Ostersund 70 km away from Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen. \"Ostersund can be reached from Stockholm by airplane or train. There will be organized transportation to Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen from \"Ostersund airport and railway station (see below). There are 6-8 daily flights in each direction between Stockholm and \"Ostersund. Flying time is about 1 hour. There are two air-companies flying to \"Ostersund - SAS and Transwede. The SAS flights leave Stockholm from the domestic terminal (terminal 4) at the Arlanda International Airport. There are daily and overnight trains between Stockholm and \"Ostersund. Travel time is about 6 hours (day train). There are also train connections between \"Ostersund and Trondheim in Norway. The trains are good and can be recommended because of the beautiful scenery. Participants arriving in Stockholm on an international flight must pass through the immigration control there, bring their luggage through the customs, and transfer to the domestic terminal, which is 200 m away. In order to get cheaper air-tickets from Stockholm to \"Ostersund, you need to make your reservations much in advance. If you choose to take a train to \"Ostersund, you will have to first take a bus from Arlanda airport to the City-Terminal in Stockholm. The bus takes about 40 min and costs 60 SEK. Taxi is much more expensive (~350 SEK, and always check the price before the trip). The central railway station is just across the street from the City-Terminal. Participants from the US should know that the air-ticket will be much less expensive if one stays in Stockholm for at least 8 days. We can recommend a short stay in Stockholm after the workshop. Stockholm is a nice city on the water (called Venice of the North) with a number of museums. Cheaper hotel alternatives can be found in the most beautiful suburb of Stockholm - Saltsjobaden (only 30 min by commuter train from the center of Stockholm), where Stockholm Observatory is located. ****************************************************************** TIME TABLE and PRICES FOR TRAINS ****************************************************************** Stockholm - \"Ostersund (prices and departure times are preliminary and can change by the end of June) 10.23 - 16.18 RECOMMENDED 15.53 - 21.39 21.00 - 5.35 (night train, sleeping compartments) We marked RECOMMENDED on what we think is the best alternative, since there will be organized transportation from/to the railway station for people arriving/departuring with these trains. \"Ostersund - Stockholm 8.07 - 14.15 (Monday-Friday) 10.00 - 15.43 (Sat., Sunday) RECOMMENDED 14.43 - 20.43 (every day) RECOMMENDED 21.52 - 5.50 (every day, night train, sleeping compartments) Normal prices: 1st class, one way ticket: 850 SEK 2nd class, one way ticket: 500 SEK Price in the 2 class night train compartments is higher (~800 SEK). There is also a possibility to travel cheaper. If one buys the so called "reslust" card (150 SEK), the price is 380 SEK one way. One needs ONE reslust card per family or two passengers. Total cost for a return trip in that case is 910 SEK for one person, and 835 SEK/person for two people travelling together. NOTE: The number of seats available for this price is limited. One has to buy the ticket at least 7 days in advance. ****************************************************************** TIME TABLE FOR AIRPLANES (Stockholm - \"Ostersund flight takes 1 hour) ****************************************************************** There are two air-companies flying between Stockholm and \"Ostersund: Transwede and SAS. Here is a preliminary time table for the SAS flights. SAS June 29, Stockholm - \"Ostersund 9.00 12.00 RECOMMENDED 15.00 RECOMMENDED 18.15 July 4, \"Ostersund - Stockholm 6.25 10.25 RECOMMENDED 16.00 RECOMMENDED July 5, \"Ostersund - Stockholm 13.30 16.30 We marked RECOMMENDED on what we think is the best alternative, since there will be organized transportation from/to the airport for people arriving/departuring with these flights. The cheapest (return) ticket costs 685 SEK (in Sweden). This ticket should be bought at least 14 days before departure. The number of seats for this price is limited (10-15 on each flight). This ticket requires you to make your reservations earlier. Normal APEX ticket price varies between 1100 and 1800 SEK (should be paid at least 7 days before departure). We have booked a number of seats for 900 SEK (return ticket) at the flights that we marked RECOMMENDED. These tickets should be booked before ##### April 30, 1998 #####. Participants wishing to buy them should send an e-mail to Juri Poutanen. You will pick up the tickets at the ticket counter at Terminal 4 at Arlanda airport. ****************************************************************** TRAVEL to and from Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen ****************************************************************** There is no public transportation between Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen and the nearest town, \"Ostersund. The distance is approximately 70 km. We will bring the participants from the airport or the railway station by buses and cars. ################################################ It is therefore essential that we have accurate information about your arrival time. ################################################ If something goes wrong, please check with the information desk at the airport or call Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen (dial 0643-52010), or Juri Poutanen's mobil-phone 070-3139531. In the worst case, the best thing may be to take a taxi to Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen. The fare is of the order of 1000 SEK ($120). We expect that participants will arrive to \"Ostersund during the day of June 29. The departure is on July 4. The scientific sessions are from 9.00, June 30 to 18.30, July 3. Participants interested in staying longer at Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen (e.g. for hiking), arriving/departing NOT by the train/flight marked RECOMMENDED, should inform the organizers as much in advance as possible. Our hosts informed us that people can stay at Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen as long as they want (before and after our workshop, they are not completely booked) for hiking, fishing, etc. ****************************************************************** SOCIAL PROGRAM ****************************************************************** June 30, evening dinner (with local food) in a meadow, riding Icelandic horses, other local attractions July 1, after lunch hiking into the mountains, sightseeing tour in \"Ostersund (if there will be enough interested people) July 2, evening further local attractions (undecided at the moment) July 3, evening banquet dinner ****************************************************************** PROGRAM for ACCOMPANYING PERSONS ****************************************************************** We can offer the following activities: 1) Visit to a local handicraft workshop. 2) Visiting the Zoo in \"Ostersund, tour on a steam boat on Stor Sj\"on (Big Lake). 3) hiking in the Oviken mountains with a guide. 4) 1/2 day tour on Icelandic horses (~400 SEK) 5) fishing, canoeing Please, fill in the registration form below. ****************************************************************** RENTAL CARS ****************************************************************** There is, of course, car rentals at the \"Ostersund airport. Since the airport is very small, advance reservations are strongly recommended. You have a choice between Avis, Budget, Hertz and Europcar. The phone numbers are\\ Avis : 063-101250 or 020-788200 Budget : 063-104410 or 020-787787 Hertz : 063-102112 or 020-211211 Europcar : 063-574750 or 020-781180 Normal price per day is about 1000 SEK, weekend - 600 SEK. It is generally much cheaper to rent a car from a STATOIL gas station (~1500 SEK/week). Telephone in \"Ostersund 063-123975. The address is Krondikesv\"agen 97. ***************************************************************** CURRENCY EXCHANGE ****************************************************************** We recommend you to bring a modest amount of cash in Swedish crowns(SEK) for minor expenses at Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen (beer, drinks, souvenirs, etc.) and for the registration fee. There is NO currency exchange service at the airport or the railway station in \"Ostersund. Please note that traveller's checks can only be cashed in banks and major hotels and travel agencies. The hotel at Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen accepts major credit cards (except American Express) and American Express traveller's checks. The banks at the international terminal at Arlanda airport (Stockholm) are open from 7 am until 10 pm and there is also a money exchange at the City-Terminal and the central railway station in Stockholm. Regular bank hours are 9.30 am to 3.00 pm, Monday through Friday. The closest bank is about 30 km away from Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen. ****************************************************************** VISA ****************************************************************** Citizens of most Western countries do not need visas to Sweden. But, please, check with the Swedish embassy in your country. We will send invitations by request. ****************************************************************** SPECIAL REQUESTS ****************************************************************** Let us know in advance if you have any special needs or wishes as regards diet, health, medical, or other problems, so we can make the appropriate arrangements. ****************************************************************** TOURIST INFORMATION ****************************************************************** About Sweden http://smorgasbord.navigo.se/ http://smorgasbord.navigo.se/sweden/provincial/ About Stockholm http://smorgasbord.navigo.se/sweden/provincial/stockholm/index.html http://smorgasbord.navigo.se/sweden/provincial/stockholm/information/#tourist About Museums in Stockholm http://www.stoinfo.se/england/museum/index.html We can recommend to visit: The Vasa museum (Vasamuseet, a well preserved war ship from 1628 that sank after a few minutes on its maiden voyage) Skansen (open air museum, zoo, aquarium) Milles Estate Museum (Millesg{\aa}rden, Carl Milles works and art collection) National Museum of Fine Art (Nationalmuseum) Royal Palace Museum of Modern Art (newly inaugurated) Some tourist info about \"Ostersund and J\"amtland (the name of the province where \"Ostersund is located) you can find here http://smorgasbord.navigo.se/sweden/provincial/jamtland/ http://smorgasbord.navigo.se/sweden/provincial/jamtland/sights/ http://smorgasbord.navigo.se/sweden/provincial/jamtland/nature/ On this page you will find an interactive map (and the map where Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen is marked). http://smorgasbord.navigo.se/map?compass=0&s=0&t=SFLA&geo.x=7008500&geo.y=1400584&lang=en ****************************************************************** Hotel in Stockholm ****************************************************************** There are hundreds of hotels in Stockholm at various prices, and you are welcome to make you own reservations. See http://smorgasbord.navigo.se/searchdb/searchdo.html?table_id=lodging&province=60586&kind=1 or http://www.stoinfo.se/england/accommodation/index.html for information about hotels. You can book most of the hotels by calling the Tourist Centre at the Stockholm Central Railway Station (HotellCentralen), phone: +46-8-7892425, fax: +46-8-7918666 We can recommend a cheaper alternative in the most beautiful suburb of Stockholm - Saltsjobaden - close to Stockholm Observatory (but, on the other hand, quite far away from the airport). We have booked a number of rooms for the nights June 28- June 29, and July 4 - July 6 in the hotel "V{\aa}r G{\aa}rd" which is just 100 meters from the commuter train station "Saltsj\"obaden". See Stockholm Observatory's home page http://www.astro.su.se/ for a description of how to get to Saltsj\"obaden. Prices per day including breakfast: Single room - 395 SEK Single room with extra bed - 545 SEK Double room (bed and sofa) - 595 SEK Prices for a single room in the city usually starts at 500 SEK. ****************************************************************** LOCAL COSTS ****************************************************************** The registration fee - 800 SEK (about 100 USD, to be paid in cash during the workshop in any major currency, preferably in SEK) - covers proceedings, organized local transportation from Ostersund to Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen on days before and after workshop, banquet dinner, activities, etc. (Note: private transportation could be ~300 SEK, or in the worst case ~1000 SEK by taxi). Registration fee for students - 550 SEK. Full board (June 29- July 4, 1998) 650 SEK/day X 5 full days = 3250 SEK (about 410 USD) to be paid directly to the hotel at Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen. Major credit cards (except American Express) and American Express traveller's checks are accepted. Accompanying persons (staying in the same room): Full board - 325 SEK/day X 5 = 1625 SEK (about 205 USD) Registration fee - 550 SEK (includes the same benefits as for participants except the proceedings). ****************************************************************** SCHEDULE ****************************************************************** June 29, Monday: arrival Welcome dinner at 19.00 with local specialties. This is meant to be a real welcome gathering, so please plan to arrive at Gr\"aft{\aa}vallen in time (using RECOMMENDED trains/flights) for the party. June 30 - July 3 : scientific sessions July 4, Saturday: departure ****************************************************************** PROCEEDINGS ****************************************************************** We are planning to publish proceedings. We are currently investigating different possibilities. ****************************************************************** CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS ****************************************************************** Marek Abramowicz Gothenburg Univ., Sweden Eric Agol Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, USA Cecilia Albertsson Stockholm Observatory, Sweden Robert Antonucci UC Santa Barbara, USA Julia Artemova IKI, Moscow,Russia Mitch Begelman JILA, Boulder, Colorado, USA Andrei Beloborodov Stockholm Obs., Sweden Gena Bisnovatyi-Kogan IKI, Moscow, Russia Gunnlaugur Bj\"ornsson Univ. of Iceland, Reykjavik Omer Blaes UC Santa Barbara, USA Markus Boettcher Rice Univ., Houston, USA Luis Borgonovo Stockholm Observatory, Sweden Niel Brandt Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, USA Annalisa Celotti SISSA, Trieste, Italy Paolo Coppi Yale Univ., New Haven, USA Wei Cui MIT, Boston, USA Bozena Czerny N.Copernicus Astr.Center, Warsaw, Poland Chuck Dermer Nav. Research Lab., Washington D.C., USA Tiziana Di Matteo IoA, Cambridge, UK Chris Done Durham Univ., UK Ken Ebisawa GSFC, Greenbelt, USA Andy Fabian IoA, Cambridge, UK Marek Gierlinski N.Copernicus Astr.Center, Warsaw, Poland Gabriele Ghisellini Breda Obs., Milano, Italy Joachim Greiner Astron. Inst., Potsdam, Germany Eric Grove Nav. Research Lab., Washington D.C., USA Diana Hannikainen Univ. of Helsinki, Finland Igor Igumenschev Gothenburg Univ., Sweden Andrei Illarionov Astro Space Center, Moscow, USA Julian Krolik Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, USA Stefan Larsson Stockholm Obs., Sweden Hui Li LANL, USA Edison Liang Rice Univ., Houston, USA Greg Madejski GSFC, Greenbelt, USA Pawel Magdziarz Durham Univ., UK Rohan Mahadevan IoA, Cambridge, UK Kirsi Malmivaara Univ. of Helsinki, Finland Giorgio Matt Univ. Roma III, Italy Shin Mineshige Kyoto Univ., Japan Paul Nandra GSFC, Greenbelt, USA Sergei Nayakshin Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, USA Igor Novikov Theor. Astroph. Center, Copenhagen, Denmark Mike Nowak JILA, Boulder, Colorado, USA Tanja Nymark Stockholm Observatory, Sweden Juri Poutanen Stockholm Observatory, Sweden Dimitrios Psaltis CfA, Harvard Univ., Cambridge, USA Chris Reynolds JILA, Boulder, Colorado, USA Eliot Quataert CfA, Harvard Univ., Cambridge, USA Felix Ryde Stockholm Observatory, Sweden Marek Sikora N.Copernicus Astr.Center, Warsaw, Poland Boris Stern Inst. for Nucl. Research, Moscow Roland Svensson Stockholm Observatory, Sweden Ulf Torkelsson IoA, Cambridge, UK Osmi Vilhu Univ. of Helsinki, Finland Mika Vuori Univ. of Helsinki, Finland Grzegorz Wardzinski N.Copernicus Astr. Center, Warsaw, Poland Paul Wiita Georgia State Univ., USA Andrzej Zdziarski N.Copernicus Astr. Center, Warsaw, Poland Piotr Zycki Durham Univ., UK ********************************************** REGISTRATION FORM (to be submitted by E-mail) ********************************************** Name: FirstName LastName Affiliation: Address: Phone: Fax: Accompanying persons (if with a child, please, specify age): Title of presentation (specify whether oral or poster): Short abstract (4-5 lines): Special request (video, slide projector, etc): Date and time of arrival to \"Ostersund (specify air or train): Date and time of departure from \"Ostersund: Dietary requirements: Do you need a hotel in Saltsj\"obaden: dates Do you need an air-ticket (~900SEK) Stockholm-\"Ostersund-Stockholm on RECOMMENDED flights Stockholm-\"Ostersund: time, date \"Ostersund-Stockholm: time, date Do you need a formal invitation: YES NO ***** Free time after lunch on July 1. Would you be interested in organized hiking YES NO or visiting a local handicraft workshop YES NO or fishing and canoeing YES NO or riding hourses (~400 SEK) YES NO ***** Social program for accompanying persons. Would you be interested in: 1) visiting a local handicraft workshop: YES NO 2) visiting the Zoo in \"Ostersund: YES NO or attending a tour on a steam boat on Stor Sj\"on (Big Lake) in \"Ostersund: YES NO 3) hiking in the Oviken mountains with a guide: YES NO 4) 1/2 day tour on Icelandic horses (~400 SEK): YES NO 5) fishing, canoeing: YES NO