FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT First Workshop on Binaries in the Solar System to be held 2007 August 20-23 Steamboat Springs, Colorado USA The year 2008 will mark 30 years since the discovery of the first KBO binary, Pluto, unknown at the time to be the first member of a new population of objects, much less the first member of a new population of binaries. It will be 15 years since the discovery of the first definitive binary asteroid, from the Galileo flyby of Ida, and about 10 years since the start of a wave of discovery of companions to members of many populations of small bodies, from the NEAs, to main-belt, Trojans, Centaurs, and TNOs. The list of binaries is now over 100. Beyond binaries, even multiple systems are now seen among main-belt asteroids, as well as Pluto and other TNOs. The rich diversity of observed systems has fostered a resurgence of theoretical and computer-simulations of models of formation. We are now at a point where a workshop to bring together various ideas on detection, characterization, and formation is particularly worthwhile. To this end, we propose this first workshop in which we will work to understand where we are in this exciting field and where we should focus in future years. More details will be forthcoming in the next announcement. Here, we request feedback on the level of interest. Please respond by April 15 (see paragraph on INTEREST below). Soon after that, we will need tentative commitments for hotel. FORMAT The planned format is expected to depart a bit from what is traditional at scientific meetings, and to push more toward a true "workshop" style. We expect all talks will be "invited", more in a review style, with plenty of opportunity for discussion of each topic. The idea is to have these talks be more wide-ranging, all inclusive, summaries of the assigned topic. Our target is to have approximately 15 minutes per talk, with 15 minutes for discussion. Our goal will be to cover all aspects of the field. The coverage would include all of the many modes of observation, in all of the dynamical populations, as well as theory and numerical modeling. Whether we will also want to include the realm of giant-impact modeling (Pluto/Charon, Earth/Moon, as an end-member of the modeling of binary production) will depend on the interest shown among potential participants. However, with the new satellites of Pluto and new planet-sized TNOs showing satellites, this mechanism may be relevant to TNO binaries as a whole. At this time, and space permitting, we plan to have contributed poster papers, which would be summarized by the authors in ~2-minute oral presentations at the start of the workshop, so that everyone would be given an introduction to the posters and participants would be more likely to seek out the posters/authors for discussions throughout the workshop. These papers would be the place for more specific, recent results. At this time, we expect the workshop to cover about 2.5 days. We would expect a rather substantial registration fee that would include meeting room, facilities and equipment, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and coffee for the meeting. Evening meals can be taken at one of the many fine restaurants in the village. We are working toward a banquet for one night. We are also attempting to get limited support for students who with to attend. NOTICE OF INTEREST Here we request that anyone interested in attending the workshop, please notify us as soon as possible. We also solicit topics for the workshop presentations and whether you would wish to give such a presentation. Respond to binary-mtg@boulder.swri.edu . VENUE We have chosen a venue that is off-the-beaten-path for scientific meetings -- a small, quiet, relaxing ski resort in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, but at a time of year that is affordable. Steamboat Springs is a village of about 9400 people (2003 estimate), with an area of 10 sq miles (26 sq km). The setting is in an open valley, surrounded by mountains, rivers, and ranch land. It has one of the lowest elevations for a ski resort at 6732 feet (2050 m), and therefore the elevation should generally not be a concern for those who suffer altitude sickness. The town is perhaps most famous as an Olympic ski training site. Although skiing is the most popular outdoor activity in winter, the area offers many opportunities for summer activity, including river rafting, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, hot-air ballooning, horseback riding, camping, rock climbing, golfing, fishing, concerts, and rodeos. The area is also well known for its waterfalls and many natural springs, some featuring pools maintained year-round at 104 deg F, with complete darkness for sky viewing. The meeting hotel will be the Sheraton Steamboat Resort and Conference Center. The hotel offers an "upscale western decor, representing Colorado to a tee". Guest rooms have been recently refurbished or renovated and include "Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Beds". The hotel is in the heart of the small mountain village only a few minutes from the Gondola to access the ski mountain (also open in summer). The hotel has a Starbucks, complete health club, and 7 roof-top hot tubs. POST-MEETING FIELD TRIP After the meeting, we expect Dan Durda to lead us on a field trip to southern Colorado where we will visit an exposure of the K-T boundary impact layer. This trip will involve driving/sharing private or rental vehicles and will cover perhaps 1.5 days with an overnight stay (hotel/camp). GETTING THERE Steamboat Springs has summer air service into the Yampa Valley / Hayden Regional Airport (code HDN), 25 miles from town. Several daily flights connect from Denver and there is one daily direct flight from Houston (Continental). For those who would like to take in the scenery and/or who may wish to participate in the field trip, another option is to fly into Denver International Airport (code DEN) and enjoy a beautiful drive (180 miles) through the Colorado Mountains (said to be 3 hours, 3 CDs, and 3 turns, although it might be better to plan 4 hours). Airport shuttles are provided by Alpine Taxi, Black Diamond, or Storm Mountain Express. These companies service either airport. Approximate cost is $47 per person RT from HDN or about $150 per person RT from DEN. SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Keith Noll, STScI Bill Merline, SwRI Dan Durda, SwRI Al Harris, Space Science Inst. WORKSHOP ORGANIZERS Bill Merline Keith Noll Dan Durda =======================================================================