========================================================================== SECOND BULLETIN 09 August 2003 ========================================================================== THE KAVLI-CERCA CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF COSMOLOGY Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio USA October 10-12, 2003 Web Site: http://www.phys.cwru.edu/events/cosmol03.php Email Contact for Conference Secretariat: cerca@cwru.edu ========================================================================== OVERVIEW: This is the second bulletin regarding the October Conference. We have been actively planning the conference and it is shaping up to be quite exciting. Recall that the aim of this meeting is to stimulate thinking about the future of cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics over the next 25 years. Will the "standard model" of cosmology be like the "standard model" of particle physics during the 80's and 90's, with open-ended questions that persist but little experimental direction provided, or can we expect dramatic hints of new physics and explanations of existing puzzles? This Second Bulletin gives some logistical information, describes the preliminary scientific program, and most importantly, requests your input on that program. We shall shortly be sending out information on travel and accomodations. ========================================================================== STUDENT AND POST-DOC SUPPORT Space for up to 10 graduate students and postdocs, as well as financial support for travel and local expenses, is available. Individuals must be nominated by their supervisors. These nominations are due by August 21, and can be completed online at: http://www.phys.cwru.edu/cgi-bin/cercafellow ========================================================================== PROGRAM The first conference session begins on the morning of Friday 10 October at 9am in Strosacker Auditorium, adjacent to the Physics Department on the campus of CWRU. The conference sessions extend through Sunday morning 12 October, and we will end with lunch on Sunday afternoon. Transportation back to the airport will be available following lunch. A detailed description of the program will be available on our web page in early September, and a copy will be emailed to all participants at that time. The format of the conference will consist of plenary talks and panels. We will assign topics and panels to participants during the last week of August, and we will be drafting a final program at that time. Questions we expect to focus on include: * Inflation: How can we connect it to fundamental physics? Can we test it? Are there viable alternatives? * Dark Energy/Vacuum Energy: What directions seem promising for the cosmological constant problem? Can we probe for a cosmological constant directly? Is Dark Energy Physics or phenomenology? What can supernovae offer? * Dark Matter: Is there a future beyond direct detection? Is there a future without direct detection? What do galaxies and large scale structure tell us about dark matter? What can we learn? * Gravity/String Theory/Extra Dimensions: Will String Theory do for observational cosmology what it has done for experimental particle physics? Can string theory impact on cosmology and vice versa? Is there an alternative? Extra Dimensions: epicycles or physics? * Anthropic Principle and Eschatology: Physics or Philosophy? * Structure Formation: Can we rule out WIMP Dark Matter? When can we believe numerical simulations? What can we learn from studies of the high redshift universe? Galaxy formation: physics or magic? * Observational Cosmology: Which observations will provide the best constraints on cosmological models? How long will the CMB remain interesting? How can the next generation of observational projects best contribute to cosmology? Gravitational Waves -- Astrometry for the 21st Century? Can we detect cosmic neutrinos? Can we rule out Topology? * Baryogenesis: Beyond Proton Decay? WE NEED TO KNOW, BY AUGUST 21ST, YOUR PREFERENCES FOR PARTICIPATING IN PANELS AND OR MAKING A PRESENTATION ON ANY OF THESE TOPICS OR ANY OTHERS THAT YOU THINK WE HAVE MISSED HERE!!! OVER THE WEEK FOLLOWING THIS DATE WE WILL BE FINALIZING THE FORMAT OF OF LECTURES AND PANELS. PLEASE SEND EMAIL TO program@phantom.cwru.edu (rather than the main conference address) WITH YOUR REQUESTS BY AUGUST 21ST. This important feedback will be used as guidance by the organizers to assemble the program and we will do our best to accommodate your preferences. In addition to the regular conference program there are several other events associated with the conference: 1. Steven Weinberg will present a Public Lecture entitled "The Origin of the Universe" at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History at 7:30 PM on Thursday October 9th. The CMNH is in University Circle adjacent to the Case Western Campus. There will be a reception at the museum after this talk, from approximately 8:45 pm-10 PM. All participants are invited to attend either or both events. Tickets for Prof. Weinberg's lecture are being held for all participants. 2. On Friday Oct 10th there will be a banquet at the Gwinn Estate overlooking the Lake for conference participants. 3. On Saturday Oct. 11th there will be a banquet at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Following that we have obtained tickets for all participants to a concert of the world famous Cleveland Orchestra in Severance Hall, one of the most beautiful concert halls in the United States, located in University Circle adjacent to the University. 4. Stephen Hawking will present a Public Lecture entitled "Brane New World", at Severance Hall at 8 PM on Monday October 13th. 5. The conference will be webcast, and we hope also to have at least one national webcast session with students from around the country. National Public Radio's Science Friday will also air a one hour session with some of the conference participants on Friday afternoon. =========================================================================== CONFERENCE LOCATION: All scientific sessions will be in Strosacker Auditorium on the Case Western campus. In addition, several rooms will be setup with computers for email use. Wireless connection will be available to the internet for all participants with appropriately equipped laptops. ========================================================================== FUTURE BULLETINS: We will be sending out travel and housing information soon, and a detailed draft program at the end of August. At the beginning of October we will send out a final bulletin containing program, directions, and final details. ========================================================================== LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Lawrence Krauss (CERCA Director and conference chair) Dan Akerib Craig Copi Corbin Covault Peter Kernan Chris Mihos John Ruhl Richard Schnee Glenn Starkman Tanmay Vachaspati ========================================================================== FOR MORE INFORMATION Web Site: http://www.phys.cwru.edu/events/cosmol03.php Email Contact for Conference Secretariat: cerca@cwru.edu Address: CERCA Case Western Reserve University Physics Department 10900 Euclid Avenue Cleveland Ohio 44106-7079 Phone: (216)-368-4257 ==========================================================================