Cart

Meta Research Bulletin ©2007

2008 Conference: “Challenges to Consensus Cosmology and the Quest for a New Picture of the Universe”

(2008 September 7–11, Port Angeles, Washington, USA)

** NOTIFICATION AND CALL FOR PAPERS **

         The Alternative Cosmology Group, in collaboration with the International Academy for Cosmological Studies and with Meta Research, cordially invites everyone interested in the history and nature of the universe to attend this conference, and invites qualified colleagues to participate in the talks, panels, and discussions. Registration and participation forms are available at http://metaresearch.org or http://www.cosmology.info/2008conference/.

Scientific Program

         The conference will be opened Sunday evening, 2008 September 7, with Halton Arp as our keynote speaker.

         Monday through Thursday, CCC2 will continue the theme successfully established at CCC1 in 2005. The conference will consider the present state of understanding of the universe in light of the increasing number of observations that challenge the conventional cosmological model, the Big Bang.

         The conference seeks to:

·       Assess key observational challenges and problems confronting the existing “consensus cosmology” to ensure the scientific community is aware of them and can contribute to their solution.

·       Assess the state of alternative cosmologies in general and innovative theories for various particular phenomena, including the Hubble relation, cause of redshift, light element abundances, microwave radiation, large-scale structure, “missing matter”, and “dark energy”.

·       Promote more dialogue between Big Bang advocates and alternative cosmology advocates so that the best cosmology for representing nature emerges.

         As papers are contributed, conference sessions will be organized into panels, one per session. Each member of the first set of panels will focus on specific observational challenges to or problems with the consensus cosmology. Examples are the lack of Gaussianity or isotropy in the microwave radiation, the excessive apparent ages of high-z galaxies, the early formation of large-scale structure, discordant results for light element abundances, the surface-brightness / redshift relation, etc. Each member of the second set of panels will focus on a particular alternative cosmology, or on alternative explanations for the key phenomena of the universe, such as the origin of redshift, the microwave radiation, large-scale structure, gravitational forces, light element abundances, quasars, dark matter, and dark energy. Each session’s panel will present its papers; an informed responder will review them; and general discussion among the conference participants will ensue. This structure will encourage the preparation of multi-author review papers for publication, based on each of the panels.

         Prospective participants are encouraged to plan their contribution early to assist in organizing the program optimally. A conference banquet will be held on Wednesday evening, 2008 September 10. This will feature an invited speaker (TBA).

         We seek to bring together as wide a range as possible of researchers in Cosmology and related fields with the aim of furthering our understanding of astrophysical phenomena, and the chronology and evolution of the Universe, particularly in the light of ongoing, growing challenges to the current model. We invite presentations and discussion from both sides of the debate that address some challenge to contemporary Cosmology, from those who do and those who do not perceive a current crisis.

         Attendees wishing to present a paper are invited to submit to the Conference Committee a title, a short abstract of < 60 words for the program preview, and a full abstract of 200–500 words with citations giving a complete overview of their planned presentation and conclusions (to be distributed to participants about a month before the conference). Participants may present only one invited and one contributed paper, but may be a co-author on other papers. The Conference Committee reserves the option to admit a second contributed paper for presentation by one participant, but would allow this only in compelling circumstances and not as a ploy to get more time for a single presentation.

         The deadline for submissions is 2008 July 25, but might be cut off sooner for topics that are already well-covered. Session organizers and responders will be selected from among early submissions. Late papers will be accepted only as a replacement if someone else's scheduled paper is cancelled. The Conference Scientific Committee will review the full abstracts and include those that qualify in the final on-line program. Participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the full abstracts in advance, especially those in their own session, to improve the quality of the exchanges. Authors are encouraged to join multi-author submissions to a major journal. They may also submit a full-paper version of their presentation for publication of the proceedings on a DVD that will be sent to all registrants. The closing date for submissions for the DVD will be 2008 December 12.

         Authors may elect oral or poster presentation as their preferred choice. In either case, their full abstracts should provide citations. All presenters are encouraged to prepare self-explanatory, quality graphics and to minimize equations and technical concepts, which should appear only in the technical paper written for publication. Speak as you would to the public rather than to a colleague. In fact, many non-colleagues, including media reps, teachers, and members of the science-interested public, will attend as Observers. Non-technical oral and poster presentations are consistent with successful communication with participants in other areas of specialization, as well as Observers. Use of a presentation graphics program is encouraged. Avoid reading bullet points or text from the screen, and use those as one would use an outline.

         Please use the abstract submission form to provide title, authors & affiliations, short abstract, and full abstract.

         Another category of participation is "Observer". These will be primarily media representatives, local teachers, and some members of the science-interested public. They will not be participating in the formal discussions. Observers will mingle with participants during breaks, where they might have the opportunity to engage the scientists in one-on-one conversations.

         Please forward this information to interested persons and colleagues.

         Port Angeles is located on the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula in Western Washington State. A small city of about 15,000, its climate is relatively dry, sunny, and mild in the summer months compared to much of the rest of Western Washington because it is near a climate anomaly known as the “blue hole”, the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. It is within a few miles of both magnificent mountains and scenic seashore, yet only 70 miles from the world’s northernmost rain forest. Wildlife is still present in abundance outside city limits. For example, nearby Sequim has a resident elk herd. And it is just 22 miles across the Straits of Juan de Fuca (100 minutes by ferry) to the beautiful city of Victoria, Canada with its famous gardens and historic Victorian architecture.

         We anticipate that all participants will be accommodated in the Red Lion Hotel, where the conference will be held. Several nice restaurants are within walking distance. We have arranged a special hotel accommodation rate for conference participants at a substantial discount: Water-view rooms are $119 per night for double occupancy plus $10 per additional person. Regular rooms are $109 plus $10 per additional person. We recommend arrival on Saturday 2008 September 6 and departure on Friday September 12 to minimize travel stress and get the most out of your time at the conference. Side trips to scenic locations will be planned for the morning and afternoon of Sunday, September 7.

         Travelers from most locations will opt to fly initially into Seattle-Tacoma ("Sea-Tac")International Airport (SEA). At Sea-Tac, you will still be about 90 miles from your destination, with several options for getting there. One of the easiest is to take a free ground Shuttle to nearby Boeing Air Field, then a Kenmore Express commuter flight to Port Angeles, which has a small airport for flights to and from Boeing Field. It is best to allow at least two hours between scheduled arrival at Sea-Tac airport and departure on Kenmore Express because of baggage collection, shuttle time, and the possibility of late-arriving flights. The commuter flight to Port Angeles takes about 30 minutes and is quite scenic on a clear day, with marvelous views of the Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and Olympic Mountain Ranges. Costs range from about $40 (internet fare) to about $90 per flight. Our travel agent (see below) can find the best match between these and your Sea-Tac flights. We will help arrange ground transportation via limo and ferry as an alternative.

         One alternative option to the commuter flight is to travel by automobile. Cars can be rented at the Sea-Tac airport. It takes about three hours to reach Port Angeles by auto, but one hour of that is waiting for and transiting on the automobile ferry across Puget Sound. So the actual driving time is about two hours (if Seattle rush hour is avoided) and is scenic.

         In addition to the banquet, we will organize side trips for our guests on Sunday, 2008 September 7 to view some of the uniquely beautiful areas on the Olympic Peninsula while perhaps recovering from travel and jet-lag. This is also a chance to meet your colleagues, or perhaps to share quality time with spouses. Among the numerous possibilities are Hurricane Ridge and its Nature Center, the Hoh Rain Forest via beautiful Lake Crescent, or the Olympic Game Farm (wildlife) near Sequim. Your choice of one of these is included in a full-conference registration fee.

         Conference registration will be $90 USD per day, or $245 for the full conference. The full-conference registration includes a shuttle between the conference hotel and the Port Angeles airport for your particular flight; local transportation, refreshments and snacks at breaks, one side trip on Sunday; the banquet; access to the facilities for the entire conference; and A/V projectors and materials as needed for presentations. The daily fee excludes side trips and banquet and allows access and participation for just that day.

         The full-conference registration fee is reduced by $50 to $195 for those attending but *not* presenting a paper, and who register with the conference and with the hotel before 2008 June 15. For those giving a paper, the same discount is available by registering early with both conference and hotel before 2007 December 15; or $25 discount (to $220) if before 2008 March 15. (This allows us to plan the conference program and hotel space reservations better. It is costly to reserve too much or too little space.) Although the conference registration fee is due with registration, the hotel requires only a credit card to hold your room, and does not charge you until you check out.

         Travel to the conference, local accommodations, and meals (except as included in the full-conference registration) are at your own expense. Registration fees should be paid in USD by Visa / MasterCard / Amex / Discover credit card, on-line by PayPal, or by mailed cheque payable to "CCC2”.

         If you register but cannot attend and cancel before 2008 September 1, your registration fee is refundable except for $25 to cover administrative costs and credit card fees. Fees are non-refundable for later cancellations.

         Presentation titles and abstracts may be revised or completed at a later date.

         The fee for non-participating Observer badges is $25 USD for the entire conference, which requires registration. Observers do not participate in the program or discussions, However, they may meet and speak with the scientists at the breaks. Observers who register by 2008 August 31 will receive badges with conference insignia and their name and (optional) affiliation or city/state. The fee for registering accompanying persons for the Social Program, and for Observers adding the Social Program (banquet, a side trip, and local transportation), the total fee (including Observer badge) is $145. Unregistered Observers may also receive a generic admission badge at the door by paying a $10 fee each day attended.

         E-mail inquiries may be sent to ccc2@wavecable.com. Registration payments by PayPal should be directed to this account: <tomvf@metaresearch.org>. Surface mail should go to

Meta Research / PO Box 3604 / Sequim WA 98382-5040.

         Credit card payments will show as a charge by MetaResearch/EclipseEdge on your statement. Hotel reservations require a credit card to guarantee your room reservation and qualify for the conference rate, but no actual payment until you settle your bill.

         The conference Red Lion Hotel is at 221 N Lincoln / Port Angeles WA 98362; phone 360-452-9215 or 800-RED-LION from within the U.S; fax 360-452-4734. Be sure to mention the "CCC2 conference" to get the special rate we have negotiated for attendees. Click here to see the view from one of the Hotel conference rooms' water-view windows.

         Media inquiries may be directed to Dr. Tom Van Flandern at Meta Research, 360-504-1169 (9-6 Pacific Time).

         We have retained Paula Foggo, a travel agent with Blue Ridge Travel, to assist participants with their flight, accommodation, rental car, and side trip reservations. Because airlines no longer pay travel agents, the cost of her services must be charged to the participants: $30 per person for as many service calls as are needed. Unless you are familiar with searching the internet for the best deals, we recommend you use her services.

         For Paula's assistance, please make the initial contact with your basic information and needs via email, and include the your phone number and the best time to call you. Her email is: <pafoggo@yahoo.com>. Her USA (Eastern Time Zone) cell phone is 828-768-2244. Be prepared to leave a voicemail message.

         Registration and participation forms are available at http://www.cosmology.info/2008conference/.

###