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SOFIA @ AAS 2019
September 2018

Here’s a snapshot of SOFIA-related events planned for the 233rd American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting held on January 6–10, 2019 in Seattle, Washington.
30 Doradus 89 microns
SOFIA Workshop for FORCAST and HAWC+ Data Analysis   

Sunday, January 6, 2019
8:30 am - 5:15 pm PST
Washington State Convention Center, Room 201
Fee: $35

Astronomers interested in learning how to analyze SOFIA data are invited to enroll in the upcoming SOFIA workshop at the AAS. Participants will have the opportunity to work directly with SOFIA scientists on recently obtained, publicly available data sets from polarimetry observations using the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera-plus (HAWC+) and imaging and spectroscopic observations from the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST). 

The workshop will begin with guided tutorials on working with and analyzing public data using SOFIA data analysis recipes. The tutorial will be followed by an interactive session where participants can analyze SOFIA data independently, with assistance readily available from SOFIA scientists. Public datasets like the polarimetry maps of 30 Doradus, recently obtained by HAWC+ will be made available to follow along with the tutorial and for the interactive session.

Horsehead Nebula
Special Session: The Role of Magnetic Fields and Filaments in Star Formation

Monday, January 7, 2019
2:00 - 3:30 pm PST

Understanding the role of magnetic fields in the star formation process is evolving from a theoretical to empirical approach thanks to the development of polarimetric capabilities in the infrared at major observatories and dedicated missions. Polarization observations are needed to connect the processes associated with star formation, from the smallest to the largest scales, and effectively test current theories. Recent observations have established that molecular filaments are ubiquitous in the interstellar medium and are the preferred sites of star formation. 

SOFIA is organizing this special session to highlight recent advances in observing and understanding magnetic fields and filaments in star formation. It is intended to bring together the latest studies of magnetic fields in star forming regions and the galactic environment. The goal is to better understand the role of magnetic fields shaping interstellar matter into the observed filaments, funneling atoms and molecules to enhance star formation efficiencies, and supporting clouds against collapse.

Astronomers presenting a poster at the AAS with magnetic field, filament, or star formation data are invited to present their poster in this special session. When submitting your abstract to the AAS, make sure to indicate your request for inclusion in this event. The deadline to submit abstracts is Wednesday, October 3, 2018 6:00 pm PST.

SOFIA telescope
Town Hall

Tuesday, January 8, 2019
6:30 - 7:30 pm PST

The Town Hall is a venue for the astronomical community to learn about important new SOFIA programmatic developments and to ask questions about current operations and future plans. The agenda of the Town Hall will include the following:

  • implications and preparations the observatory is undertaking for the five-year Flagship Mission Review scheduled for 2019
  • overview of the fully reduced, publicly available datasets through Strategic Director’s Discretionary Time program
  • review of the SOFIA Legacy Program, which offers 100 hours of observations over two years to encourage enhanced data products
  • report on the Next Generation Science Instrument Call proposal selection and the status of the subsequent implementation of Instrument Concept Studies

Awards for the 2018 Best SOFIA Paper and Best SOFIA PhD Thesis will also be announced at the event.
SOFIA in New Zealand
Tour

SOFIA is excited to offer….

…tours of the observatory! SOFIA will be on hand for the AAS meeting and will be based at nearby Boeing Field. Buses will depart the Seattle Convention Center at regular intervals on Monday morning, January 7, and throughout the day on Tuesday, January 8 and Wednesday, January 9. Guests will tour the interior of the observatory while learning more about SOFIA’s recent science observations. There is no cost for the tours, however, space is limited. SOFIA tours are extremely popular, so keep an eye on your inbox for the announcement of the opening day of tour registration!
SOFIA at AAS flyer
Executive Editor: Joan Schmelz
Content: Raquel Destefano
Design: Leslie Proudfit

Please feel free to direct questions and comments to the SOFIA Science Center help desk: sofia_help@sofia.usra.edu.