The Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IAA), Dept. of Physics, University of Malta is organising the first professional astronomy conference to be held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard.

MAGPOP (multiwavelength analysis of galaxy populations) is a Marie Curie Research Training Network funded under the sixth Framework Programme of the EU and runs from December 2004 to December 2008.

The conference brings together about 40 astronomers/astrophysicists from various departments and institutes in Europe (Spain, France, UK, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Netherlands) and the USA (H.A. Rowland Dept of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland) and runs from Monday till Wednesday.

Professor Simon White, a world-renowned British astronomer who is currently director of the Max-Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany will be giving a talk to the general public at Stella Maris College, Gzira on Friday at 6pm. The talk will be entitled Out of the Big Bang: how our universe got its structure and the speaker will be introduced by Prof. Charles V. Sammut, head of the Dept of Physics at the University of Malta. A small exhibition will also be featured.

Immediately after the talk, Prof. White will be taken to Bay Street Complex, Paceville, St Julian’s to leave a permanent handprint on one of the floor tiles in Celebrity Street, alongside those of other distinguished celebrities who have visited Malta over the years. This occasion will be the first time that a renowned scientist does so.