ESO Workshop on High Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy

High Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy in Astronomy

High resolution spectroscopy, i.e. approaching a dispersion of few km/s per pixel, in the infrared is a unique tool to study rotational-vibrational transitions of many abundant molecules in a multitude of astrophysical environments. It may serve as a tool to directly detect the atmospheres of extrasolar planets (hot Jupiters). Infrared atomic transitions provide for an invaluable complement to optical spectroscopy, ranging from observations of embedded objects (extinction) to the study of active stars (better sensitivity to magnetic fields).

At the VLT observatory there will be two infrared spectrographs working in this regime:

• CRIRES a dedicated adaptive optics fed 1-5µm spectrograph with a
  spectral resolution of 3km/s
• VISIR having a spectroscopic mode between 8-13µm, with a spectral resolution of <8km/s

• provide information about the infrared high-resolution spectroscopic
  capabilities of the VLT and other observatories
• bring together the community interested in the use of high resolution
  infrared spectroscopy and to foster new collaborations
• provide ESO with feedback in the phase when operating and data
  reduction software are being defined and coded

The workshop will consist of seven sessions, spanning over four days. It is planned to have several invited speakers for each session, oral contributions of 15min + 5min discussion each and a poster session with approximately 30 posters.

Topics to be addressed in this workshop are the following:

• instrumentation and observational highlights
• planetary atmospheres
• comets
• extra-solar planets (reflex motion and direct detections)
• brown dwarfs
• HII-regions
• Young Stellar Objects and ultra-compact HII-regions
• stellar activity and magnetic fields
• astero-seismology
• abundances and isotopic ratios, chemical evolution
• Red Giant and Asymptotic Giant Branch stars, pulsating stars
• cataclysmic variable stars
• Novae, Supernovae and SNRs
• interstellar medium in Milky Way and other galaxies
• galaxy kinematics
• any other application the organizers may have overlooked

The number of participants for this workshop has to be limited to 110.

Scientific Advisory Committee:
Bengt Gustafsson (Uppsala, chair), Catherine de Bergh (Meudon), Ewine van Dishoeck (Leiden), Artie Hatzes (Tautenburg), Ken Hinkle (Tucson), Ulli Käufl  (ESO), Alan Moorwood  (ESO, co-chair)

Local Organising Committee: P. Bristow, H.U. Käufl, R. Siebenmorgen, C. Stoffer, N.N.