Press Release

Nobel Laureate Dr. Riccardo Giacconi Headlines 40th Space Congress Science Session

By SpaceRef Editor
April 22, 2003
Filed under ,

Astronomer Showcases Breakthrough Discoveries Of NASA’s Great Observatories

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 22, 2003–The 40th
Space Congress will kick off Monday, April 28, 2003, at the Radisson
Resort in Cape Canaveral with the first day dedicated to space
science. Dr. Riccardo Giacconi, Nobel Laureate and Research Professor
with Johns Hopkins University, will open the day with a discussion on
the many breakthrough discoveries of NASA’s observatories, including
the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, Hubble and Chandra. “The great
Observatories of NASA have been at the forefront of astrophysical
research in the last decade. From their combined results, a new and
deeper understanding of the universe has emerged. They have changed
every field of astronomy.” Giacconi, principal investigator for the
ultra-deep survey with Chandra, has already obtained one of the
deepest X-ray exposures to date with a million-second observation, and
is participating in the follow-up optical work in this field.

An astronomer with a long history and expertise in deep surveys,
Giacconi was the principal investigator of the program which
discovered the first X-ray stars and the X-ray background in the 1960s
and conceived of and led the implementation of the Uhuru and Einstein
X-ray Observatories in the 1970s. An expert in the analysis and
interpretation of astronomical data, he has authored books on X-ray
astronomy as well as over 200 articles on astrophysical topics. He
shared a prestigious Wolf Prize in Physics for his pioneering research
in X-ray astrophysics and in 2002, was awarded the Nobel Prize in
Physics for pioneering contributions to astrophysics, which have led
to the discovery of cosmic X-ray sources.

“We are honored to have such a distinguished panel of scientists
for Space Congress this year,” said Kevin Hoshstrasser, Chairman of
the 40th Space Congress. “Dr. Giacconi’s 40+ years of experience
offers a wealth of information for the attendees and brings to life
the evolution of many of the current observatory programs and the
benefits derived from them.”

Panel and Paper sessions at the 40th Space Congress will emphasize
this year’s theme “Linking the Past to the Future: A Celebration of
Space” and will focus on the space program’s scientific achievements
that have lead to upcoming MARS and (SIRTF) missions. The forum also
examines other space program issues such as life in space, research,
transportation, and the International Space Station.

The event includes exhibits, a student science fair, black-tie
Gala, and evening with the Astronauts. All events are open to the
public. To register, visit http://www.spacecongress.org or call
321/452-3068.

About Space Congress

The Canaveral Council of Technical Societies (CCTS) created Space
Congress in 1962 to give space professionals a forum to meet and share
their knowledge of technical areas and issues facing the space
program. Space Congress is organized in cooperation with NASA, the
Department of Defense, industry and academia. CCTS uses Space Congress
proceeds to present annual achievement and technical awards, conduct
an annual Career Night to expose local students to scientific,
engineering and related careers, and to sponsor or support many local
educational programs offered by schools and groups in the Space Coast
area. For more information visit http://www.spacecongress.org or call
321/868-1623.

SpaceRef staff editor.