Second Circular

Dear Colleagues,

The 16th International Workshop on Laser Ranging is organized by the Committee on Space and Satellite Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, International Laser Ranging Service, Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the A.Mickiewicz University in Poznan and will be held in Poznan, Poland, at Andersia hotel (http://www.andersiahotel.pl/index.php?lang=en_EN") from 13 to 17 October 2008.

We would like to invite you to visit the Workshop website for more information and registration details:
http://www.astro.amu.edu.pl/ILRS_Workshop_2008/index.php

Programme of the Workshop (sessions):
Scientific Achievements, Applications and Future Requirements
Satellite Laser Ranging in Global Geodetic Observing System
Network and Station Performance
New and Upgraded Stations, Extended Facilities
Lunar and Interplanetary Laser Ranging
High Repetition-rate Systems
Lasers, Detectors, and Timers
Software and Automation
System Calibration Techniques and onsite Quality Control
Atmospheric Corrections: Theoretical and Experimental Approaches
Operational Issues and New Missions
Targets, Signatures and Biases
Advanced Systems and Techniques: Transponders, Altimeters, and Time Transfer

Please note that the program and timetable on the website is preliminary and will be updated as details become finalized.

The Organizing Committee invites all colleagues interested in realization and scientific applications of the laser measurements to the satellites, Moon and beyond. The contributions can be oral or poster presentations. Please submit an abstract according to the abstract form on the Workshop website. Abstract can be a maximum of 1500 characters in length. The Abstracts Book will be available at the Workshop. In case of too large number of presentations the Program Committee may ask the authors to change the oral contribution to a poster presentation.
Deadline for abstract submission: September 10, 2008. The Workshop Proceedings will be published in the next year.

Registration:
A registration for the Workshop is open. We propose two registration forms:
- online registration by filling and submitting the online registration form,
- fax registration by download of the registration form in MS Word or PDF format, complete, sign and fax it to the Organizing Committee (Fax: +48-61-8170-219),
(details and registration forms are in the Workshop website)

A registration fee:
- participant: EUR 350.00 (payable prior to the Workshop) [includes abstracts, proceedings (distributed after Workshop), coffee/tea breaks, reception in Andersia hotel, Borowiec Observatory tour and reception, banquet dinner and administrations fees],
- accompanying person: EUR 150.00 (payable prior the Workshop) [includes reception in Andersia hotel, Borowiec Observatory tour and reception, banquet dinner and administrations fees].

You can select one of two payment methods:
- by credit card (will be accepted via Visa, MasterCard, or American Express)
- by bank transfer - details for bank transfer are given in the registration form
Please note the registration deadline: September 10, 2008.

Hotels/Accommodation:

*Andersia hotel*
The preferred hotel for the Workshop is four stars ibb Andersia hotel. Andersia hotel will be also venue of the Workshop (first floor). The block of rooms has been reserved at the Andersia hotel for the nights of October 12-18, 2008, at a discount for the Workshop participants rate EUR 100/single or EUR 125/double per night, including taxes and breakfast. You can also booking the rooms two days before (Oct. 11-12) and two days later (Oct. 18-19) under the same conditions. The block of rooms will be held for Organizing Committee until September 12, 2008. The hotel is located in the center of town, 10 minutes walking distance from the Old Town. Andersia hotel is convenient to many restaurants and attractions in a large cultural and shopping centre (opposite hotel). Two underground parking areas are available in hotel (EUR15/day) or in the centre.
A pre-reservation is required, no later than September 10, 2008. We propose two reservation forms:
- online reservation by filling and submitting the online reservation form,
- fax reservation by download of the registration form in MS Word or PDF format, complete, sign and fax it to Andersia hotel (Fax: +48-61-6678-001)
(details and hotel reservation forms are in the Workshop website)
Reservations will only be confirmed if credit card details are fully supplied; alternatively please forward a deposit of two nights accommodation per room by bank transfer (details in the Hotel Reservation form).

*Guest Rooms*
We also recommend Guest Rooms in the Polish Academy of Sciences Center offering in discount price good standard rooms within 20 minutes walking distance from Andersia (trams are possible) and 10 minutes from the Old Town. The Guest Rooms has been reserved for the nights of October 12-18, 2008, at a discount for the Workshop participants rate PLN 120-180/single or PLN 200-230/double per night, including taxes and breakfast. You can also booking the rooms two days before (Oct. 11-12) and two days later (Oct. 18-19) under the same conditions.
*** The reservations will be fulfilled on a first-come, the number of rooms is limited. ***
A pre-reservation is required, no later than September 10, 2008. We propose two reservation forms:
- online reservation by filling and submitting the online reservation form, - fax reservation by download of the registration form in MS Word or PDF format, complete, sign and fax it to Organizing Committee (Fax: +48-61-8170-219)
(details and hotel reservation forms are in the Workshop website)
The block of rooms will be held for Organizing Committee until October 03, 2008.
Payment method : at on-site registration in hotel by cash in Polish Złoty (PLN). If the guaranteed reservation has not been cancelled by 03.10.2008 or the guest has not arrived, the guarantee holder will be charged for the first night.

*Jowita hotel*
We also recommend University Hotel "Jowita" offering in discount price good standard rooms within 20 minutes walking distance from Andersia (trams are possible) and 15 minutes from the Old Town. The Jowita hotel has been reserved for the nights of October 12-18, 2008, at a discount for the Workshop participants rate PLN 85-190/single or PLN 130-190/double per night, including taxes and breakfast. You can also booking the rooms two days before (Oct. 11-12) and two days later (Oct. 18-19) under the same conditions.
*** The reservations will be fulfilled on a first-come, the number of rooms is limited. ***
A pre-reservation is required, *no later than June 30, 2008. *We propose two reservation forms:
- online reservation by filling and submitting the online reservation form,
- fax reservation by download of the registration form in MS Word or PDF format, complete, sign and fax it to the Organizing Committee (Fax: +48-61-8292-772),
(details and hotel reservation forms are in the Workshop website).
The block of rooms will be held for Organizing Committee until June 30, 2008.
Payment method : at on-site registration in hotel by cash in Polish Złoty (PLN). If the guaranteed reservation has not been cancelled by 26 September 2008 or the guest has not arrived, the guarantee holder will be charged for the first night.
Please note that reservation of the Jowita hotel is required no later than June 30, 2008.

Important information: *** We strongly advise all participants to reserve hotels accommodation as soon as possible. The Organizing Committee will not be able to guarantee rooms after September 12, 2008. Due to international tourist fairs in Poznań in the same week we highly recommended to do reservation as early as possible. ***

All additional information about travel, social events, excursions you can to find on the Workshop website:
http://www.astro.amu.edu.pl/ILRS_Workshop_2008/index.php

All sponsors interested in supporting this important meeting, are much welcome.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Poznan in October 2008,
with the best regards,

Stanislaw Schillak
Head of the Local Organizing Committee

Contact:
Stanislaw Schillak
Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences
Astrogeodynamic Observatory
Borowiec
ul. Drapalka 4
62-035 Kornik
POLAND
Phone: (48)61-8170-187
Fax: (48)61-8170-219
E-mail: sch@cbk.poznan.pl