15^th  Course: "Astrophysics at Ultra-high Energies"

 
20-27 June 2006
Ettore Majorana Centre
Erice, Sicily, Italy

 
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
 

I. THE "ETTORE MAJORANA" FOUNDATION AND CENTRE FOR SCIENTIFIC CULTURE

The "Ettore Majorana" Foundation and International Centre for Scientific Culture (EMFCSC) is named after an outstanding Italian physicist. Born in Sicily in 1906, Ettore Majorana's breadth of vision and exceptional contributions to theoretical nuclear physics moved Enrico Fermi to the following comment: "There are many categories of scientists, people of second and third rank, who do their best, but do not go very far. There are also people of first-class rank, who make great discoveries, fundamental to the development of science. But then there are the geniuses, like Galileo and Newton. Well, Ettore Majorana was one of them."

 

Embracing 110 Schools, covering all branches of Science, the Centre is situated in the old pre-mediaeval city of Erice where three restored monasteries (one of which was the residence of the Viceroy of Sicily during the XIV and XV Centuries) provide an appropriate setting for high intellectual endeavor. There are living quarters in all three Institutes for people attending the Courses at the Centre The contact address for participants attending this course is:
 

Participant Name

Intl. School of Cosmic Ray Astrophysics

Ettore Majorana Centre

Via Guarnotta, 26

I-91016 ERICE, Italy

Telephone: +39.0923.869133

E-mail: hq@emcsc.ccsem.infn.it

Telefax: +39.0923.869226 Cable: CCSEM ERICE

Web page: http://www.ccsem.infn.it

 

The three renovated monasteries that comprise the Centre are now named after prominent scientists who were strong supporters of the "Ettore Majorana" Centre.

The San Francesco Monastery (former Viceroy's residence) is now the Eugene P. Wigner Institute with the "Enrico Fermi" Lecture Hall. The San Domenico Monastery is now the Patrick M.S. Blackett Institute with the "Paul A.M. Dirac" Lecture Hall.

The San Rocco Monastery is now the Isidor I. Rabi Institute with the "Richard P. Feynman" Lecture Hall. It also houses the directorate and the main offices of the Centre.

In addition, the Erice Station of the World Laboratory Seismological Network is located in the I.I. Rabi Institute. The "Daniel Chalonge" and the "Paul A.M. Dirac" Museums are situated at the Patrick M.S. Balckett Institute.

 

All participants will be issued a badge upon arrival. This must be worn/displayed to gain access to the institutes and for meals.
 

II. MAP OF ERICE

(click on map for larger version)
 

On the lone mount (750 m high) in far west Sicily, stands Erice, a medieval town which has been kept intact until today. It is an artistic center and the main tourist resort of the district. The Majorana Centre for Scientific Culture offers an opportunity for a relaxed informal exchange of ideas among students and faculty, enhanced by the charm of this old mountain-top city.
 

Finding your way in Erice can be initially very confusing. If you become lost the centre can be found again by remembering that one has to walk up hill to it and so any route that takes you upwards will eventually bring you there.

The course "fee" covers housing, meals, airport transfers and all activities associated with the Institute during your stay in Erice. The EMFCSC is organized to help the local economy in Erice. Thus, in addition to the rooms in the three institutes, some participants may be housed in local hotels, depending upon the size of the group, and whether there are parallel activities taking place. Meals are taken at a variety of local restaurants. Most restaurants can provide vegetarian meals. Anyone with specific dietary requirements should contact the Director of the School for guidance.

    A. Breakfast: Residents in the I. I. Rabi, Eugene P. Wigner and Patrick M. S. Blackett Institutes will have breakfast on a self-service basis in the "coffee room" in the I. I. Rabi Institute (in the back of the courtyard on the right-hand side under the staircase). Participants housed in the hotels will have breakfast at their hotels. 

    B. Lunch and Dinner: A selected list of recommended restaurants is displayed in the entrance hall of the I. I. Rabi Institute, along with a map. (The closing day of each restaurant is given.) Participants order from a special Centre menu provided by the proprietor. At the end of the meal, participants sign a form on which the appropriate activity is indicated (in this case, Intl. School of Cosmic Ray Astrophysics). Please sign legibly; accompanying persons must sign as well. Beverages (including bottled water) are not included and must be paid for separately.
 

At lunch and dinner, it is advisable for participants to distribute themselves in small groups in order to avoid too many people crowding into the same restaurant, and in order to have faster service. Please wear your badge.

At the conclusion of the school, participants will be asked to evaluate/rate the restaurants. Try them all, as you are able -- A delightful way to sample the local cuisine!

    C. Snacks: Coffee, tea, milk, mineral water, fruit and sandwiches are available (free of charge) in the "coffee room" at the I. I. Rabi Institute at any time.

    D. Coffee/Tea Breaks: There will be coffee/tea breaks during both the morning and afternoon sessions. Breaks will be at the Institute where the lectures are being held.

    E. Informal Gatherings: There is a "piano room" (the small central room under the arches at the back of the courtyard at the I. I. Rabi Institute) with a piano, guitar (?) and a keg of Marsala wine (free). This "piano room" can also be used for working groups. The "piano room" must be closed before midnight.
 

    F. Computer Access: The computer room is located off the left-hand side of the I. I. Rabi courtyard. Participants can arrange to check e-mail. The connectivity can be slow and even intermittent. Do not plan on downloading large files through the net - - bring copies of what you need with you. If your host institute has a strong security policy, you may find it easier to sign up for one of the free web based email accounts provided by companies such as Yahoo and Microsoft as these are readily accessed by the PC and Mac computers at the centre.  There is wireless access in the courtyard.

   G. Water: The local tap water is drinkable. In addition, you will find bottles of mineral water in your room (unless you are staying in one of the hotels). Empty bottles will be replaced by the room maid, free of charge. Extra bottles are available for all participants in the storage room at the I. I. Rabi Institute and in the "coffee room" refrigerator.

   

    H. Laundry: Self-service washing machines (two) and dryers (two) are available in the storage room at the back of the courtyard in the I. I. Rabi Institute for use by participants.
 

    I. Telephone: The public telephone (and an automatic magnetic telephone-card dispenser) in the I. I. Rabi Institute is located on the 1st floor at the back of the courtyard. There is also a public telephone in the Eugene P. Wigner Institute (ground floor). Public telephones are also available at the "Tabacchi" shops in Piazza Umberto I and in Via Generale G. Salerno not far from the Elimo Hotel. Magnetic telephone cards can also be purchased at the "Tabacchi" shops. If you have an international mobile phone please make sure you are aware of the right access codes.

    J. Post and Bank Offices: The Post Office is in Via Guarnotta, 100 metres away from the I. I. Rabi Institute's entrance (on the way to the Eugene P. Wigner Institute).

The Bank is in the main square (Piazzo Umberto I) facing the Nuovo Edelweiss restaurant. Bank hours are from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Currency exchange can also be done at the Post Office (until 1:00 pm). Pigeon holes for incoming mail or messages to participants are located in the entrance hall of the I. I. Rabi Institute.
 

   K. Shops: The shops in Erice are open from 9:00 am (or 10:00 am) to 1:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. We recommend the shops which give a discount to the participants: please ask before paying. The Pharmacy is in Via Cordici off the main square (Piazza Umberto I).

IV. ACCOMPANYING PERSONS:

It is necessary for those participants who would like to be accompanied by members of their families to contact the Organizers well in advance of their arrival. Accommodation is limited and priority will be given to the first-comers.

The names of the accompanying persons must be communicated to the Centre Secretariat well in advance of the beginning of the course/institute.
 

V. WEATHER and DRESS:

As Erice is situated on top of a mountain at an altitude of 750 metres, it is much cooler than at sea level. Therefore, we would advise you to bring some warm clothing, and a windbreaker, even in the Summer. In June it is generally nice, but it can be chilly, foggy, and rain is possible. Bring an umbrella. The streets of Erice are old-fashioned cobblestones. Bring comfortable walking shoes. The weather is rather unpredictable in Erice, and the temperature and precipitation conditions can change suddenly. We may have an excursion that will allow access to the beach. Bring swimming gear and sunscreen.

For the sessions the dress is casual. We are hoping to have a formal course dinner. Long pants, nice shirt, skirt or dress are recommended. (Coats and ties are not required.) Note: For those wishing to visit/tour some of the churches/cathedrals in the area, shorts may not be allowed and women should have a scarf to be used as a headpiece if necessary.  
 

VI.    PAYMENT OF FEES:

The fee can be paid in Erice, upon registration: i) in cash; ii) with travellers cheques; iii) with Eurocheques or alternatively, by bank transfer into the FEMCCS account at the Banco di Sicilia. If you desire to use a bank transfer, contact the organizers. (No credit cards are accepted.)

V. OTHER INFORMATION

    A. Presentations: We may have nearly75 participants and will be using a large lecture hall. If you are giving a presentation, you will need to have slides whose print must be large enough (including labels on figures and tables) to be read from the back of the room. (Standard Power-Point is too small!) There are actually two overhead projectors, one computer projector and two screens. Thus, you can plan to put mix transparencies and slides if you so desire.  
 

Lectures may also be presented by computer via a projector. The centre computer used for this is a PC. It is possible to connect your own laptop to their projector. However, there is plenty of scope for problems with such arrangements.
 

Remember that this is an International School. While everyone will be conversant in English, the proficiency will vary among the participants. Keep your slides simple and try to talk slowly and clearly. Everyone must use the microphone. (If you can give the talk in your native language in your local Seminar room in 30 minutes, plan on it taking 40 minutes in Erice and reduce the number of figures accordingly.)
 

Bring finished presentations with you. Do not plan on making them in Erice. There is a copy machine, but color capability is limited to non-existent. Do not plan on being able to download significant material from the WWW. If you think you will need it, bring it with you!
 

Following a lecture it is common for several students to request a copy. If the lecture is made available on your home institution server such requests can be easily accommodated.
 

    B. Copying: The Centre maintains a copying facility in the I. I. Rabi Institute. This can be used, when not occupied with Centre business, to make limited numbers of copies. If you need to have such copies made, please coordinate this with the Course Secretary, Arthur Smith, rather than dealing directly with Centre personnel.

   

    C. Proceedings: Published proceeding are likely. However, not all presentations made during the Course can be included in the Proceedings. Each manuscript must be reviewed and edited. A decision about inclusion will then be made by the Editorial Committee.  

Draft manuscripts may be brought with you to Erice (two copies, if possible) to initiate the reviewing/editing process. Instructions for preparation of 'camera-ready' manuscripts will be provided to those who plan to submit a manuscript. As a guideline, plan on no more than 10 - 12 manuscript pages per hour lecture. This includes figures, tables and bibliography. The typing area is 15 cm x 21.5 cm using 12 point type. (The publisher will reduce these by 15%.) Alternately, if producing final copy on a laser printer, the typing area is 12.5 cm x 19 cm and the font must be 10 point 'Times'. Figure captions, axis labels and symbols (also Tables) must be no smaller than the above or they will be (a) returned to you for re-drafting, or (b) rejected for publication. Take note: the above is the most frequent problem found with the manuscripts!!!
 

No Color. All figures must be black and white. Colored curves should be converted to dot, dot-dash, dash etc. curves before submission. All figures must have figure captions; all tables must have table headers (titles). Text should not wrap around Figures and Tables.
 

 

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