Stellar/AGN photometric astronomy in the era of SDSS Phase V

This is a by-invitation-only informal workshop focused on stellar astronomy made possible by highly cadenced photometric observations as well as photometric observations that span over a decade (or more) in the era when SDDS Phase V becomes operational. The thesis is that SDSS can undertake dynamic spectroscopy (i.e. observe stellar sources at specific orbital or rotational phases, observe AGN which have brightened or dimmed dramatically) of interesting and large samples. A second goal is for TDA surveys to provide well sampled light curves of AGNs and complemented by SDSSV spectroscopy. We cannot but help note the photometric "resonance" centered around 20 mag between ongoing TDA surveys (e.g. ZTF & ATLAS), the non-pareil Gaia and SDSS Phase V. At the brighter end ASAS-SN and TESS provide a unique combination of all-sky coverage and precision.

The workshop will be compact (<35) to foster discussion. All participants are encouraged to mail, their bios (focusing on their work and interests) and a presentation of their work or their facility (for PIs) ahead of the meeting. Participants are expected to read and digest these "pre-meeting" presentations as a condition to attending the meeting. A few weeks before the meeting the organizers will announce discussion topics and assign one or two leads for each such topic. The leads are expected to consult interested participants and prepare a presentation. These presentations will be available before the meeting and form the corner stone of the meeting. There is no registration fee. The meeting costs have been underwritten by the Directors of the Carnegie Observatories and the Caltech Optical Observatories.

Location: Carnegie Observatories, 813 Santa Barbara St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Dates: May 3 & 4, 2019 (Friday & Saturday)
Practical details: Map  |  Airports & Train Station  |  Ground Transportation  |  Hotels

The SOC is J. Fuller (Caltech), J. Kollmeier (Carnegie; co-chair), S. Kulkarni (Caltech; co-chair) and T. A. Prince (Caltech).

List of Participants    |     Bio-sketches
Preceedings (Pre-meeting contributions)     |     Anna Ho's "cheat sheet"     |     Argelander Stars: Prize & Pedagogy (a light & droll reading)

Program     Proceedings (200MB)

Release of MSIP data (images, light curves) from ZTF (May 9, 2019)

      
Plenty of opportunities for all kinds of indoor & outdoor activities in Southern California/Pasadena area for those who are arriving a day early or staying an extra day. Some options: walk up Lake Avenue and visit the newly inaugurated Bunny Museum or feed the feral Pasadena peacocks or take a pleasant stroll through the Huntington Gardens (where flowers are almost always in bloom) or visit any of the over 100 restaurants, bars or cafes in "Old Town" Pasadena .