Cosmology on Safari, 26-30 January 2015

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H. Cynthia Chiang
Posts: 5
Joined: July 04 2013
Affiliation: University of KwaZulu-Natal

Cosmology on Safari, 26-30 January 2015

Post by H. Cynthia Chiang » September 29 2014

Cosmology on Safari: 26-30 January 2015
Bonamanzi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for Cosmology on Safari at http://www.acru.ukzn.ac.za/~cosmosafari. The conference will focus on the interplay between cosmological models and data, with emphasis on the challenges that remain in cosmology. Topics covered will include constraints on primordial perturbations, dark radiation, gravitational waves and inflationary models from the cosmic microwave background, constraints on dark energy, dark matter, and theories of gravity. Invited speakers include Markus Boettcher, J. Richard Bond, Neal Dalal, Romeel Dave, Dan Eisenstein*, Henk Hoekstra, Jack Hughes*, Marc-Antoine Miville-Deschenes*, Lyman Page, Joe Silk, Eva Silverstein, and Rashid Sunyaev* (*=to be confirmed).

Cosmology on Safari will take place at Bonamanzi Game Reserve (http://www.bonamanzi.co.za/), a private game reserve in the heart of the Zulu kingdom, two hours north of Durban on the east coast of South Africa. Bonamanzi is home to elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebra, hippos, cape buffalo, leopards, impala, nyala, kudu, crocodiles, wildebeest, and warthogs, along with many other species as well as countless birds. It is also a short 20 minute drive from the world-class Hluhluwe-iMfoloze game reserve which also hosts all the big cats and the endangered African wild dog. The park spearheaded rhino conservation efforts, and is now home to about 10% of the world's rhino population. We will arrange an outing to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi as part of the conference. The weather on the east coast of South Africa is moderated by the Indian Ocean and in January daily highs average 30/86 (C/F) and daily lows average 20/68.

Registration and abstract submission close on December 1, 2014. The registration fee is 4000 ZAR (approximately 360 USD/280 EUR) and covers the conference facility, tea breaks, lunches, bus transportation between the Durban airport and Bonamanzi, a river cruise and conference banquet. Room rates are at Bonamanzi are 1200 ZAR pp (single) and 1100 ZAR pp (sharing). This includes dinners and breakfasts. There are also a limited number of dorm-style rooms for students at a reduced rate. There is also some funding to partially support local students - interested parties should contact the conference organizers. While we strongly recommend participants stay at Bonamanzi, there are a number of other lodging options in the vicinity.

Local organizing committee: H. Cynthia Chiang, Matt Hilton, Kavilan Moodley, Adam Moss, Jonathan Sievers, and Amanda Weltman. Logistical questions can be directed to Vicki Hooper: [Log in to view email]

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