Announcing: The Fifth COMPTON Symposium on Gamma-Ray Astrophysics September 15-17, 1999 at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA HOSTED by The University of New Hampshire and The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Science Support Center Scientific Program The scientific program and format for the 5th Compton Symposium will generally follow the format for the previous Compton symposia. A mixture of invited talks, contributed papers, and poster presentations will cover the current status of observational and theoretical gamma ray astrophysics. Observational results from CGRO, and results from XTE, SAX, AXAF, ASCA, ROSAT, ground-based VHE gamma-ray and radio observatories, and other ground-based and space missions related to astrophysical sources with emission greater than 10 keV are solicited. A session devoted to the GLAST mission is also planned. Gamma ray bursts and solar flares will only be summarized in invited reviews. The planned program includes the following topics: Galactic Astronomy: Pulsars, X-rays binaries and other energetic stellar systems, novae, supernovae and remnants, molecular clouds, unidentified galactic gamma ray sources, interstellar medium, cosmic rays and galactic structure, nucleosynthesis. Extragalactic Astronomy: Active galactic nuclei, Seyfert galaxies, blazars, high latitude unidentified sources, cosmic gamma-ray background, nearby normal galaxies. Summary talks on status of gamma ray bursts and energetic solar flares. Future requirements, instruments and missions for gamma ray astrophysics. Scientific Organizing Committee: Local Organizing Committee: (tentative listing) J. Ryan, Chair M. McConnell, Co-Chair M. Baring C. Shrader, Co-Chair M. Cherry R. Pendexter, Secretary E. Chupp C. Kustra G. Fishman S. Barnes N. Gehrels L. Pentecost K. Hurley J. Kurfess P. Michelson V. Schoenfelder H. Voelk T. Weekes If you wish to be placed on our mailing list, PLEASE complete the following electronic form and return it by e-mail to: compton5@unh.edu REPLY FORM: Last Name: First Name: Title: Institution: Address1: Address2: City: State: ZIP Code: Country: Telephone: Fax: E-mail: Attendance: I'm interested in attending the 5th Compton Symposium. ____ I will probably not attend, but keep me on the mailing list for circulars and program. ____ Papers/Posters: I plan to contribute a paper. ___ I plan to contribute a poster. ___ Lodging Requirements: Anticipated number of single rooms at conference hotel. ____ Anticipated number of double rooms at conference hotel. ____ I anticipate extending my stay before/after the meeting (yes/no). ____ Number of accompanying persons. ____ This form is also available via the World Wide Web and can be submitted directly using your forms-compliant web browser. The URL for this announcement is: http://wwwgro.unh.edu/compton5/ Alternatively, you may send this information by U.S. mail or by FAX to: Ms. Robbin Pendexter Space Science Center Morse Hall University of New Hampshire Durham, NH 03824-3525 Phone: (603) 862-1061 Fax: (603) 862-4685 Please distribute this announcement to your colleagues and post it at your institutions. PROCEEDINGS & FEES: The Conference Proceedings will be published. There will be a conference registration fee for all participants. The amount will be announced in the Second Circular, as will banquet plans and other conference details. PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Portsmouth, N.H., a city of 23,000, sits near the mouth of the Piscataqua River, a short, wide river that divides New Hampshire and Maine. It is the principle town of the seacoast region of New Hampshire. Billed as the "smallest seacoast in America", the New Hampshire coastline is only 18 miles long, but the region encompasses 25 towns between Maine and Massachusetts. It is a region rich in history and culture. Settled in 1623, Portsmouth itself lays claim to being the nation's third-oldest city. It served as a focal point on the Eastern seaboard until the late 1800s when rail travel did in the shipping industry. John Paul Jones' ship The Ranger was built in Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (which lies across the river in Maine) was established in 1800 as the country's first Naval shipyard. Many historic homes have been preserved, and there are several notable museums in the Portsmouth area, including the Strawbery Banke Museum and the American Independence Museum. The geographic location, historic past and cultural strength of the area regularly lands it on various "best places to live" lists. The region is noted for its many restaurants, attractions and shopping opportunities, which include outlet malls in North Hampton and in Kittery, Maine, as well as major malls in Newington, New Hampshire. (Shopping within the state of New Hampshire is tax-free.) There is much to do in and around Portsmouth. We encourage attendees to extend their stay and take advantage of the many available activities. We have arranged to make conference rates available for a limited number of hotel rooms before and after the conference. TRANSPORTATION : Portsmouth is accessible by air, bus, or automobile. There are 3 airports serving the Portsmouth area. The following airports are each within 60 miles of Portsmouth: Boston's Logan International Airport; Manchester Airport (Manchester, NH); Portland International Airport (Portland, ME). Limousine, shuttle or taxi services are available. Bus services to Portsmouth are also available from Boston's South Station bus terminal. Given the close proximity of the conference hotel to the downtown Portsmouth area, car rental will not be necessary. HOTEL: The Sheraton Harborside Hotel in Portsmouth will be the conference hotel. The Sheraton is located on the Portsmouth waterfront. Numerous restaurants, shops, historic sites and recreational activities are within easy walking distance from the Sheraton. Room blocks have been reserved for conference participants at both the Sheraton Harborside and at the Hampton Inn of Portsmouth, located about 2 miles from the Sheraton. Shuttle bus service (including evening service for those who wish to remain in the downtown area) will be provided for those staying at the Hampton Inn. ACCOMPANYING PERSONS PROGRAM: A packet of local information will be provided for each registrant. In additon, should there be sufficient interest, a program of activities for accompanying persons will be organized. Given the variety of activities in the Portsmouth area, this would be a great place to bring along friends and family! CHILD CARE: We plan to arrange for the availability of child care for the families of meeting attendees. POST-CONFERENCE EXCURSION: For those who plan to stay in the area for the Saturday following the conference, an excursion (or excursions) may be organized. The list of possible excursions includes a whale watch, a harbor cruise or a trip to the White Mountains. Exact plans will be based on the interests of the conference registrants. (A selection of activities will be made available on the conference registration form.)