25th International Astronomical Union general assembly

[Kettle]

About 2,000 professional astronomers from around the world are gathering in Australia for two weeks of debate about the state of the universe.

 

Their meeting, which begins in Sydney on Sunday, is the 25th general assembly of the International Astronomical Union.

 

Much of the conference will deal not so much with what lies in the stars, but what lies between them - the so-called dark matter of outer space which makes up the biggest proportion of the universe that can't be seen with normal telescopes.

 

Closer to earth, scientists will discuss progress in exploring the planets, the search for inter-terrestrial life and the European projects to build what could become the world's biggest optical telescope in the mountains of Chile and a giant radio telescope in western Australia.

 

The future of Antarctica will be given special attention because scientists believe the cold dry air above the continent and its unique magnetic characteristics provide ideal conditions for astronomical observation.

 

There's no better place on earth, they say, to explore the effects of exploding stars and the make-up of the sun.

 

http://www.astronomy2003.com/

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3061925.stm