Ventspils
International Radio Astronomy Center - VIRAC
Scientific Advisory Council - SAC
Minutes from the Fourth meeting: May 23-24, 2002, Riga, Latvia
Organizations represented:
Belgium:
Free University of Brussels
Latvia:
Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, University of Latvia
Institute of Astronomy, University of Latvia
Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, University of Latvia
Institute of Physical Energetics, Latvian Academy of Sciences
Institute of Radioelectronics, Riga Technical University
Latvian Academy of Sciences
RIXC, Riga Centre for New Media Culture
Ventspils College
VIRAC
The Netherlands:
Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe, Dwingeloo
Russia:
United Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Moscow
Astro Space Center, Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow
Sweden:
Lund Observatory
Onsala Space Observatory, Chalmers University of Technology
Total number of participants: 33
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First session:
Thursday, May 23, 2002
(held at the University of Latvia, Raina Bulvaris 19)
General theme of first session: VIRAC antenna properties
and performance, current projects
1.
Welcome. Appointment of functionaries for the meeting; Changes or additions
to the Agenda; Confirmation of the minutes from the previous SAC meeting
Dainis
Dravins (SAC chairman) welcomes all participants and describes the general
aims and purposes of the Meeting. Appointments of secretary for this meeting
- Dinara Gershinkova, and of persons to verify the written minutes - Karlis
Berzins and Benita Kikuste. The chairman conveys greetings from Tonu Viik
(Tartu, Estonia) and Kees van't Klooster (ESTEC, the Netherlands) who
are unable to attend. The minutes from the previous Third SAC meeting
are confirmed. After a change in the order of presentation, and some minor
addition, the Agenda is accepted.
2.
Recent VIRAC activities: Determining technical parameters of the 32-m
antenna; Preparations for the methanol maser program. Pointing & tracking
system
(Abele, Balodis, Bervalds, Bezrukov, Bezrukovs, Ekmanis, Ozolins, Paupere,
Rakitko, Sika)
Dmitrij
Bezrukov presents recent VIRAC activities, and an update of the pointing
& tracking system. The system of antenna movement control exists since
about 2 years. The angular resolution of the system is about 20 arcseconds.
Such a system provides various modes of performance with programmed tracking
and pointing. The software is written in C++, uses operating systems Windows
and Linux as platforms. The precision of the system is limited by the
angular sensors, but the performance is adequate for the VIRAC requirements.
Maris
Abele describes a determination of the technical parameters of the 32-m
antenna, using schemes and graphics during the presentation. These describe
the ways of measurements completed last year. The main problem, still
in need to be solved, is a shift of the secondary mirror away from its
correct position (by approx.9.5 mm). Measurements are being made to determine
the deviations of the dish from an ideal shape, including identification
of some zonal errors.
Question:
- Can one mechanically adjust the reflector dish? - Yes, it is possible,
because the mirror panels are mounted on screws, and so are moveable according
to our needs.
Guntis
Ozolins continues the presentation. A series of experiments were made,
verifying that there is a slight displacement in the relative position
of secondary and primary mirrors. A third-order phase error causes a slight
sidelobe looking down. A task for this summer is to find out the reason
for this and then make the necessary corrections. The antenna efficiency
at 22 GHz is estimated to between 0.48-0.53. Future plans include a number
of receiver updates and conversions, the use of digital storage oscilloscopes
operating under Windows, an increase of the transfer rate to hard drives,
etc.
Discussion
about the mirror's axis shift. D.Bezrukov adds come comments, and shows
a graphic with the measured antenna side lobes obtained during the observation
of Venus in 2001.
3.
Solar radio observations with the RT-32 at Ventspils (Ryabov, Bezrukov)
Dmitrij
Bezrukov makes the presentation (since Boris Ryabov is just now attending
a conference on solar radio astronomy at the National Radio Astronomy
Observatory in the USA). These types of observations (at 11 GHz, 2.7 cm)
were started 3 years ago. The old system was upgraded to be able to provide
solar observation for solar radio-map scanning, and long-term monitoring
of the solar corona. A scheme presented explains the main principles of
the process, many things are linked and performing automatically. To record
one solar image takes 20-25 minutes. In the future, says Dmitrij, it will
be possible to guide the observations from our own homes directly, via
Internet. The data are cleaned of the "dirty" antenna patterns
and stored in FITS format (same as from SIBIZMIR or Nobeyama). There has
been participation in the support program for the Ulysses spacecraft,
and such observations were also made during last year's Nordic-Baltic
summer school in radio astronomy. Main scientific goals are studies of
eruptive prominences and large-scale coronal streamers though polarization
observations of the coronal magnetic field.
Discussion:
It is possible to directly compare the Ventspils observation with ones
from the Metsähovi antenna near Helsinki. Since both the Finnish
dish and their wavelength are about three times smaller, the angular resolution
is about the same.
4.
Experiences from using RT-32 in the low-frequency VLBI network (Abele,
Bervalds, Bezrukov, Bezrukovs, Dementyev, Ekmanis, Lipatov, Molotov, Ozolins,
Rakitko, Sika, Shmeld)
Ivars
Shmeld presents experiences gained from two low-frequency VLBI campaigns
carried out at 327 MHz (92 cm wavelength), using Mark II equipment. The
first runs, jointly with antennas distributed from Poland to China, were
in November 1999 and July 2000. These runs have given valuable experience,
verifying the working of the antenna and the equipment. However, they
have not yet produced scientific results due to a technical oversight
in one case and, in another case, a general difficulty of finding interference
fringes at the data reduction correlator in Nizhny Novgorod. One basic
limitation is that the antenna effective area at these very low frequencies
is very small (only 65 square meters with the setup used), although this
could be improved in the future.
Discussion:
Igor Molotov informs that another 3-year grant for continuing the low-frequency
VLBI has been awarded by INTAS. Other discussions arise about the use
of the correlator in Nizhny Novgorod. Guntis Ozolins adds comments about
possible future improvements in the antenna's effective area.
5.
Listening to a recording of the symphony "Little star began to sing",
composed about the VIRAC radio telescopes by the British composer Michael
Omer
Coffee
break with presentation of a poster by Boris Ryabov: "Coronal magnetography
using the quasi-transverse propagation of microwaves"
6.
Searches for non-thermal radio emission from the Moon with Ventspils,
Pushchino and Simeiz radio telecopes: First stage of lunar radioseismology
(Berezhnoi, Khavroshkin, Tsyplakow, Smirnov, Bervalds, Ozolins, Paupere,
Bezrukov, Sika)
Oleg
Khavroshkin: Radio seismology is a new branch of fundamental physics.
In Moscow a number of lunar observations were made for research in radio
seismology using the 64-m radio telescope in Pushkino (near Moscow). Observations
took place in three areas on the Moon: a polar region, an "active"
region, and a "passive" region. Graphs and schemes were shown
of the experiments and results. It was suggested that lunar seismology
signals might correlate with other periodic astronomical phenomena.
Question:
- How stable is the radio beam, and how does one segregate lunar signals
from other fluctuations? - A two-beam telescope is preferable, as it compensates
atmospheric noise.
Guntis
Ozolins continues the presentation, describing Ventspils observations
of the Leonid meteor shower impacting the Moon (made in collaboration
with Russian teams during November 2001). This year we could again make
similar observations, although the Leonid shower intensity is expected
to be lower. Ozolins also describes a theory about the origin of the Leonid
radio meteor phenomena.
Discussion
about Leonid observations; it was concluded that it would be a good idea
to make observations simultaneously from different places.
7.
New project with participation of Ventspils RT-32: VLBI radar for research
of solar-system bodies (Molotov, Sika, Shmeld, Lipatov)
Igor
Molotov presents a project recently approved by INTAS: "Optical and
radar ecological monitoring of near-Earth space environment for the control
of technogenic pollution and natural hazard assessment due to asteroids".
This is a planned collaboration with several institutes in Russia, Ukraine
and Italy, and involves the use of the Evpatoria planetary radar (on Crimea)
to probe man-made and natural objects in near-Earth space, and to observe
them with VLBI techniques. An acquisition of a 6-cm receiver and a modern
frequency standard (rubidium maser + GPS receiver) are planned, in order
to allow RT-32 to participate in this project. High-speed Internet connections
are desirable to set up a real-time correlator. In addition, it would
be valuable if also an analogous network of optical telescopes could be
set up.
Discussion
of some technical issues addresses the question whether near-Earth objects
are sufficiently far away for standard VLBI reduction techniques to be
applicable.
8.
Experiences from student use of RT-32 during the Nordic-Baltic summer
school in radio astronomy (Dravins)
Dainis
Dravins recalls that, during the summer school held in Ventspils in July
2001, student groups made their own observations of the solar radio emission,
and its daily changes. The evaluation made after the school showed that
most students had identified this possibility of making these their own
observations as a main highlight of the school. The experience could be
used for future uses of the VIRAC antenna in qualified (domestic or international)
education.
9.
Geophysical GPS measurements at the VIRAC Irbene site (Zagars)
Juris
Zagars described the geophysical station at the VIRAC antenna site. Besides
continuous GPS measurements of terrestrial coordinates, occasional measurements
with a gravimeter are made. In Latvia, there is only a limited number
of sites with a history of continuous GPS observations. Among these, Riga
is number 1 but VIRAC/Irbene is now number 2.
10.
Converting a military establishment into a radio astronomy institute:
Experiences from Pisgah, North Carolina (Platais)
Imants
Platais reports from a recent visit at the Pisgah Astronomy Research Institute
in the USA. Similar to VIRAC, this is an institute being developed upon
previously military antennas (in their case, the main are two 26-m ones).
Current and planned research projects include: spectroscopy of H I at
21 cm; pulsar timing; methanol masers; Jupiter/Io; Earth-atmosphere monitoring;
and others.
Some
questions and comments were made about this report.
11.
VIRAC and the general public: Presentation of "RIXC, The Centre for
New Media Culture", and about media artists' potential interest in
VIRAC (Smite)
(Added item on the agenda)
Using
computer sounds and graphics, Rasa Smite presents activities of the "RIXC"
organization (www.rixc.lv), a group of Riga artists carrying out "projects"
oriented at a broader public. In August 2001 the "Acoustic Space
Lab" event was carried out at VIRAC, where artists (from also so
remote places as Mexico and New Zealand) had hired the radio telescope
during some days in order to record "sounds" from space and
incorporate these into musical compositions, later broadcast over radio
in different countries. These activities received broad media coverage
and further activities along these lines are being planned.
The
discussion noted the professionalism of the RIXC group and underlined
the need for scientific institutes to be open for contacts also with the
broader public.
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In the evening after the first session, most participants take part in
the joint dinner hosted by VIRAC, held at the LIDO restaurant complex
in Krasta iela.
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Second
session, Friday May,24, 2002.
(held at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, Zellu iela 8)
General
theme of second session:
Future plans and possibilities. Outlook to activities elsewhere
12.
Conclusions from the current EU-Phare "CoFMI" project on the
planned development of the RT-32 and RT-16 radio telescopes for scientific
and technical applications; scientific popularization & plans for
a tourism information centre (Booth, Bervalds)
Roy
Booth evaluates different possible scientific programs to be carried out
at VIRAC. Among single-dish observations methanol masers are especially
promising. Why study them? - Because they are detectable in star-forming
regions. Methanol seems to be the first signature arising during the early
star formation. One could correlate observations with others made during
an ongoing Onsala survey. The VIRAC site probably has an advantage of
lower radio-noise background at 6.7 GHZ, where Onsala suffers some noise
from neighboring large cities (this is a TV-satellite frequency). Also
OH masers are interesting. Frequency scans to find new molecular species
would explore "the molecular Universe". Can we see big molecules?
- Yes, the 32-m telescope is large enough to see them. Pulsar timing might
perhaps also involve the 16-m antenna. For VLBI work, Ventspils is a very
important link to EVN observation as a point of connection between Russia,
West Europe, Japan and India. Copies of an extensive written report were
distributed to the participants.
The
discussion concerned the scientific program and various expenditures needed
for this purpose.
Edgars
Bervalds continued the presentation with a slide show illustrating the
various improvements (running water, sewage, heating) recently made in
the 32-m antenna building. Thanks were expressed to the sponsors Latvian
Mobile Telephone (http://www.lmt.lv) and Junkers (http://www.bosch.lv).
However, further improvements in the infrastructure at the antenna site
are urgently needed. The aim is to eventually raise 2.5 M EUR for such
needs. Hopes are co-financing from EU bodies, with co-financing from local
communities. VIRAC is included in the national development plans of the
Latvian finance ministry, and of the Baltic Sea Coast Development Agency.
The
discussion again noted the need for renovating the antenna buildings,
and to clear up the former military village.
13.
The coming EU 6:th Framework Programme: Perspectives of a European research
area
(Silins)
Arnolds
Ubelis (Latvian Contact Point for the EU 5th Framework Programme) was
unable to attend due to conflicting schedules, but had distributed copies
of his extensive presentation to all participants via e-mail. Andrejs
Silins supplemented this information with comments about results in the
5th Framework Programme. Grants of 12.7 M EUR have been approved for Latvian
proposals, with a success rate of about 30% which is somewhat better than
the EU average. For the new 6th Programme, to be adapted soon, relevant
themes include "Aeronautics and space" and "Information
technology".
The
discussion pointed out the possibility to combine IT projects with such
in astronomy and space projects. It was also clarified that such grant
money cannot be used for renovation of the infrastructure, which is thus
up to each individual country to handle.
Coffee
break
14.
VIRAC as a future component of EVN, the European VLBI network (Berzins)
Karlis
Berzins summarized the equipment still needed: an accurate maser clock,
and EVN data storage. There is no point to set up a now aging Mark-IV
system, but rather one should aim directly at Mark-V or equivalent personal-computer
based systems for data handling. A major future step would be a real-time
connection to a central correlator via high-speed digital data lines (GRID
or equivalent), to take part in European-scale e-EVN, i.e. real-time VLBI.
The main problem here appears to be the local connection from the Irbene
antenna site to Ventspils city (to where high-speed optical-fiber links
are being established. The situation at other European observatories was
reviewed. With a fully operational VIRAC 32-m telescope, there will be
significant benefits for the EVN, seen by the improved uv-plane coverage
for several radio sources, taken as examples for possible future VLBI
experiments. Among baselines contributing to this EVN enhancement, the
one to Effelsberg, Germany, was especially noted.
The
discussion conveys information from the major telecommunications companies
active in the Baltics as to their plans for high-speed digital links in
the area.
15.
VIRAC and EVN: The view from JIVE on behalf of EVN (Gurvits)
Leonid
Gurvits: The activities and organization of EVN and JIVE is presented.
The scientific program is open, and observing proposals are welcome. The
EVN Technical and Operations Group is an important contact body. The main
thing is to have a good scientific idea, independently from other institutes,
especially for such a new group as VIRAC. According to this it is possible
to apply for a financial support from the other EVN members. Priorities
for VIRAC should include to create a local group of VLBI users; to focus
the technical efforts to achieve at least a minimum compatibility of the
RT-32 (in terms of at least one EVN frequency), a hydrogen maser, and
a (disk-based) data acquisition systems. One should explore the potential
VIRAC involvement in the further EVN development, and look for entries
in EU-sponsored projects.
The
discussion targets the compatibilities and relative priorities between
the proposed Mark-V systems, and other personal-computer based systems
currently studied. It is noted that some other new radio telescopes (Sardinia,
Italy & Yebes, Spain) will need similar equipment as Ventspils. EVN
is planning to submit proposals to the EU 6th Framework, primarily under
the heading "Information technology".
16.
Involving students at various universities: How to raise saplings (Viik);
Potential for student projects (Balodis, Vilks, Zagars)
Tonu
Viik was unable to attend, but had sent a report on the activities and
experiences of engaging students at Tartu University in Estonia. These
include excursions to Tartu Observatory, lectures to science teachers,
open-door days, and scholarships to astronomy students (including an annual
one named for the late Estonian astronomer Ernst Julius Öpik).
Guntars
Balodis described the study programs at Riga Technical University, and
the possibilities for students to get involved in outside projects. Ilgonis
Vilks noted that a master's program in radio astronomy is foreseen in
the plan of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics at the University of
Latvia. There are tentative plans for an international summer school for
astronomy teachers (European Association for Astronomy Education) to be
held in Ventspils, possibly in 2005 or 2006. Juris Zagars told that Ventspils
College will start its faculty of Information Technology this year, with
the first course of students beginning in September 2002.
The
discussion pointed at the possibility of using the development of technical
equipment at VIRAC as project themes for Bachelor or Master's theses.
Also the need to train engineers was noted.
17.
General discussion: Possible coordinated grant applications; Defining
the need for renovating technical infrastructure; Future "Mark V"
and/or other software facilities; High-speed fiber communications for
the World Wide GRID; Relevance of EU 6th Framework Programme; Experiences
from recent grant applications (INTAS, EU-Phare, etc.); Future applications
for new facilities
(Booth, Gurvits, Silins, Bervalds, Zagars, Dravins, et al.)
The
discussion summarized and elaborated on points raised already previously,
and led into the next point on the agenda:
18.
Resolutions and recommendations to be adopted
The
chairman had summarized the views expressed and presented draft texts
for the resolutions. Following some discussions as to the exact wordings,
and following some amendments, the following resolutions were adopted:
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Resolutions and recommendations
The
following statements and resolutions were discussed and unanimously adopted
at the Fourth Meeting of the VIRAC Scientific Advisory Council:
General:
(a)
The SAC notes, with satisfaction, the involvement by VIRAC in several
international radio astronomy projects together with partners from different
countries.
(b)
The SAC is also pleased to note that a number of activities are now receiving
support from international programmes such as EU-Phare, INTAS, and others.
(c)
Given that the local physical infrastructure (i.e., the living and working
conditions at the Irbene antenna site), are essential both for developing
further projects, and for attracting domestic and international collaborators,
SAC, on one hand, notes that it has been possible to make certain small
improvements but, on the other hand, also regrets to note that, because
of funding shortage, it has not yet been possible to more significantly
improve this local infrastructure.
As
priorities for the near future, the SAC recommends:
Instrumentation:
(d)
Coordinate and submit funding applications with an aim to acquire equipment
for VLBI operations with the new generation of disk-based recording systems.
Given that an aim for VIRAC is to become a full member of the European
VLBI network, joining groups seeking support by the EU 6th Framework Programme,
does appear suitable.
(e)
Plan for the possibility of e-VLBI, i.e. a real-time connection of radio
telescopes across (at least) parts of Europe. Since high-capacity fibre
optics communication links are being established to the city of Ventspils,
attention has to be paid as to how these can be extended to the Irbene
antenna site.
(f)
Acquire a set of receivers for standard VLBI frequencies, in order to
fully exploit the potential of the 32-m antenna.
Scientific
Programme:
(g)
SAC supports the continuation of the single-dish and interferometric scientific
programmes already started at VIRAC.
(h)
SAC encourages the scientific participation in international VLBI programmes
by scientists associated with VIRAC and other institutes.
Infrastructure:
(i)
SAC notes that it remains of very high priority to improve the local and
technical infrastructure at the antenna site.
(j)
SAC also notes the need for a high-speed Internet connection to the antenna
site, in view of foreseen joint observing programmes and, ultimately,
e-VLBI operations.
Education
and outreach:
(k)
In view of the challenging and interesting technical and scientific tasks,
which can be addressed at VIRAC, an increased collaboration with universities
and colleges of higher education is recommended; this will be of mutual
benefit.
(l)
SAC notes, with satisfaction, the several contacts and visits by groups
of school pupils, science teachers, and others. These contacts are successful
and should be further developed.
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19.
Terms of reference for the SAC
The
chairman presented reasons why there now is a need to more clearly specify
the terms of reference of the VIRAC Scientific Advisory Council. These
reasons are spelled out in the Preamble below. Following some discussions,
the Terms of Reference for the future work of the SAC were then adopted,
as specified below. A wish was expressed to also have a listing available
on the web of all current "formal members" of the SAC, complete
with their addresses.
**********************************************************************************
VIRAC Scientific Advisory Council
Terms
of reference
**********************************************************************************
Preamble
An
international "Agreement on co-operation in radio astronomy"
was signed at The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm on February
12, 1996, with the aim to develop science and technology at the Ventspils
International Radio Astronomy Center (VIRAC), which was then in a state
of formation. This "Stockholm Agreement" was signed by representatives
from the Latvian Academy of Sciences, from The Royal Swedish Academy of
Sciences, and from the KOSMION organization of the Russian Federation.
The
Stockholm Agreement has been valuable in stimulating the formal creation
of VIRAC as an independent institute by the Latvian government soon thereafter
(in April 1996); in offering a framework for collaborative projects involving
institutes in Latvia, Sweden, Russia, and elsewhere; and in setting up
the VIRAC international Scientific Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC meetings
have brought together astronomers from different institutes in Latvia
and from neighboring countries and - since the meetings have been open
to the scientific community - has exposed numerous persons to these activities.
However,
several developments have taken place since 1996 which now require some
reformulations and specifications regarding the future activities of the
SAC.
Some
of the institutes represented in the original SAC have changed their character
during these years. VIRAC itself did not exist as a separate institute
at that time (then being a unit within the Latvian Academy of Sciences);
the Radioastrophysical Observatory has since merged with another institute
to form the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Latvia; collaboration
with colleagues in Russia has developed, but mainly with other institutes
in Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, and elsewhere, while participation is growing
from colleagues in Estonia, and from the European VLBI Network with its
Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE), based in the Netherlands.
During
the same time, VIRAC and its partners have gained access to other cooperation
programs such as INTAS, the EU 5th Framework, EU-Phare, VLBI networks,
and others. These now offer various possibilities to develop and support
joint activities, and have already led to collaborations with several
other institutes, besides those involved in the original Stockholm Agreement.
In
order to continue fruitful activities of the VIRAC Scientific Advisory
Council (SAC) in the spirit of the 1996 Stockholm Agreement, some clarifications
and reformulations of the tasks of the SAC are therefore required. Such
are given in the following document, adopted at the 4th meeting of the
VIRAC Scientific Advisory Council, held in Riga on May 23-24, 2002.
**********************************************************************************
VIRAC Scientific Advisory Council
Terms
of reference
Continuing
the ambitions expressed in the international "Agreement on co-operation
in radio astronomy" signed at The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
on February 12, 1996, the following guidelines for the work of the VIRAC
Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) are adopted:
(a)
PURPOSE: SAC is a scientific advisory body to VIRAC, charged with evaluating,
recommending and advising on programs for the scientific and technical
work at VIRAC, with special emphasis on elements that include international
collaboration.
(b)
RESPONSIBILITY: SAC has no part in any administrative, nor any other internal
matters of VIRAC and, in particular, has no financial responsibility towards
VIRAC and its research facilities. Nevertheless, SAC may seek to identify
national and international resources which could be used to promote the
activities.
(c)
MEETINGS: The SAC aims at organizing meetings about once per year. Date
and venue for these meetings is decided by the Chairman and the Scientific
Secretary, after consulting with the VIRAC management, and the SAC members.
A call for attendance at these meetings shall be distributed by the Chairman
at least 90 days in advance. Minutes from recent meetings shall be kept
by the Scientific Secretary, and be made publicly available on the Internet
or otherwise.
(d)
ATTENDANCE: At the SAC meetings, a broad attendance by scientists and
research students should be aimed at. Since a main task is to discuss
future scientific projects, it is desirable that such discussions involve
as many potential future collaborators as possible.
(e)
FORMAL MEMBERSHIP: The SAC may express its opinion through, e.g., discussions
(as recorded in the minutes from meetings) or by adopting resolutions.
In case there is a need to vote on specific issues, the voting shall be
made by the SAC "formal members", composed of one representative
from each organization which has established scientific contacts with
VIRAC, and who is also personally represented at the meeting. In case
of doubt which person is to represent an organization, the selection is
to be made by that particular organization. In case of doubt whether an
organization is eligible for membership, the decision rests with the VIRAC
director.
(f)
FUNCTIONARIES: The SAC appoints amongst its formal members a Chairman
and a Scientific Secretary, both elected for a period of five years (or
until the first SAC meeting which takes place following such a five-year
period).
The
above Terms of Reference for the VIRAC Scientific Advisory Council were
unanimously adopted at the fourth meeting of the VIRAC SAC, held in Riga,
May 23-24, 2002.
**********************************************************************************
20.
Election of chairperson and scientific secretary for the coming years
With
the end of this meeting, the terms of office of both the chairman and
the scientific secretary were coming to an end, and invitations to propose
names were made. After some deliberations, Dainis Dravins and Juris Zagars
were re-elected as respectively chairman and scientific secretary,
for a period of five years, i.e. until May 2007 (or until the
first SAC meeting which takes place following such a five-year period).
21.
Close of meeting
The
chairman expressed thanks for the interest shown in the meeting, and declared
it closed.
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Minutes signed:
Dinara Gershinkova
(meeting secretary)
Dainis Dravins (SAC chairman)
Minutes verified:
Karlis Berzins
Benita Kikuste |
