Public Is welcome To Interact With Astronomers At AAS Meeting In Indianapolis.

The Indy 500 happens twice this year: once in late May, when the world's elite auto racers converge on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and again a week later, when more than 500 professional astronomers, educators, journalists, and guests converge on downtown Indianapolis for the 222nd meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), June 2-6, at the Indiana Convention Center.

For the first time ever, the AAS is opening its meeting to amateur astronomers and other interested members of the public, who may take advantage of a special one-day registration rate of $50 per day on Monday, 3 June, or Tuesday, 4 June, or both days for $100. Registration includes access to all scientific sessions, including invited and prize talks, oral and poster presentations, and public-policy "Town Hall" meetings with representatives from the National Science Foundation (Monday) and NASA Headquarters (Tuesday).

The registration also provides access to the exhibit hall, where participants can meet scientists working on major ground- and space-based telescopes, check out some of the newest astronomy books and products, and even immerse themselves in a digital planetarium experience. In addition to the regularly scheduled science talks, there will be numerous presentations and an evening "star party" designed especially to appeal to amateur astronomers and the public.

The AAS, established in 1899 and based in Washington, DC, is the major organization of professional astronomers and planetary scientists in North America. Its membership of about 7,000 also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers, and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy. The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity's scientific understanding of the universe.

FMI: www.aas.org