European week of astronomy, space research opens in St Pete Mon

ST PETERSBURG, July 4 (Itar-Tass) - A large-scale international
conference on the theme of "European Week of Astronomy and Space
Research", the JENAM-2011, opens here on Monday, with more than 500
eminent scientists and specialists participating.
Professor Alexander Stepanov, chairman of the organizing commitee and
Director of the Main (Pulkovo) astronomical observatory of the Russian
Academy of Sciences, has told Itar-Tass, "The European astronomical
society, since 1991, has been annually holding large-scale world-level
scientific conferences -- Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting
(JENAM)".
"These forums are held as a rule in the capitals of European countries
and they are an outstanding scientific and cultural event to each
country," Stepanov pointed out. Such conferences were held in Yerevan,
Vienna, London, and Lisbon. In Russia, it was Moscow that played host to
JENAM in 2000, he said.
Speaking of the key purposes of the forum, the Director of the Pulkovo
astronomical observatory mentioned "the coordination of the work of
national astronomical societies and committees for the accomplishment of
fundamental and applied tasks in the field of astronomy and space
research".
Review reports are to be presented by leading astronomical researchers
at sittings to be held within the scope of plenary sessions. Symposiums on
fundamental areas of astronomy and space research with the presentation of
reports on modern problems in science development in these areas are to be
held as well. Rapporteurs, who are recognized by the world scientific
astronomical community as leading specialists in a given field are invited
to each symposium.
The holding of a conference of such a level in St Petersburg,
particularly in the year of the 50th annversary of man's first-ever-
space flight, "will attract special attention of the world scientific
community to our city as a scientific and cultural center of world
importance," an organizing committee official emphasized.
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