Scientific motivation

It is 40 years since the polarisation of X-rays from the Crab was measured by an instrument flown on the OSO-8 satellite. Since then, X-ray polarisation has been heralded as opening a new observational window in high-energy astrophysics. To date, the window remains stubbornly closed and few new measurements have materialised. Recently, measurements using INTEGRAL and results from the IKAROS-GAP mission have been much discussed. A number of balloon-borne missions have made their maiden flights or will soon do so. Several new observational initiative are also being pursued for balloon-borne, satellite and space-station platforms. The aim of this meeting is to review current and proposed missions for X-ray polarisation and the current theoretical and instrumental state-of-the-art. The entire X-ray band will be addressed for point sources, gamma-ray bursts and solar flares. As well as invited review talks and contributed presentations, the meeting will include plenty of time for discussions and reflections - including a social dinner.


This meeting is organised as a part of the European Union COST Action MP1104 "Polarisation as a tool to study the Solar System and beyond" (www.polarisation.eu). Limited financial support from COST is available for eligible participants. Requests for financial support must be stated during registration and will be evaluated by the Scientific Organising Committee.


We gratefully acknowledge support from the Swedish Research Council, the Wenner-Gren Foundations and the Extreme Objects Work Package within the Oskar Klein Center.

Venue

The meeting will take place at the AlbaNova University Center in Stockholm, Sweden, on August 25 to 28 (lunch to lunch), 2014. Stockholm is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges. The city is known for its beauty, its buildings and architecture, its abundant clean and open water, and its many parks. The weather in August is usually fair, with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius.