Prague 14 – 18 March 2016, Vila Lanna
NEW: ASTROPLATEII 2016 Proceedings are now online here:
https://www.astroplate.cz/proceedings
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The 3rdA STROPLATE conference will be,
according to the decision of SOC,
organized in Bamberg in March 2019,
and the 4th ASTROPLATE in Prague in March 2021.
IMPORTANT DATES
Abstracts and payment 31st January
FEES:
• Regular full-time registration = 270€/$294/7300CZK
• Regular one day registration = 80€/$90/2160CZK
• Students full-time registration = 150€/$165/4050CZK
payments – add message 980 10 5001
accounts and bank info in conference fee section
Submission of conference papers 10th February
There are more than 7 million astronomical photographic plates and/or negatives around the globe, containing huge amounts of unique scientific data. The wide use of various digitization methods, together with development of dedicated software tools, allows effective and complete evaluation of these data for the first time.
However, a large fraction of these plates and negatives were found to be stored in non-adequate conditions, with consequences of negative/plate damage or even loss. A large number of damaged plates were identified and analyzed by chemical methods, indicating the pressing need for preservation. It is very evident, that, if we want to fully exploit this scientific, cultural, and historical heritage, we need the close cooperation of astronomers, physicists, chemists, archivists, and individuals with expertise in preservation of photographic materials.
The idea of the workshop is to gather specialists in the use, digitization, archiving, and restoration of astronomical photographic archival plates and negatives, and in a nice environment of beautiful and historical Villa Lanna in Prague discuss in detail all aspects related to the above.
Although we plan to focus on astronomical photographic records, we are aware that analogous problems are solved in other areas where archival photographic negatives play a role such as national archives, and non-astronomical photographic records, and so we welcome colleagues from these communities to join us as well.
The areas to be covered:
- all aspects of astronomical photographic plate and negative archives
- scientific use and investigation
- digitization hardware and techniques and data storage and handling
- software and tools for data analyses
- proper storage of photographic negatives and plates
- restoration of plates and negatives
- related chemical analyses and processes
- historical and cultural aspects
The workshop is organized by:
- Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic in Prague
- Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague
- Czech Technical University in Prague
- Dr Remeis Observatory, University Erlangen-Nurnberg