Science with the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX2016)

Schloss Ringberg, Tegernsee, Germany, from 6 - 9 March 2016.

Meeting overview and goals

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Continuing on the success of the 2012/14 Ringberg meetings on APEX science where about 70 participants discussed exciting APEX results ranging from our Solar system to distant galaxies in the Early Universe, APEX2016 aims at presenting new science results and to looking into new science opportunities for the next years. Now more than 10 years in operation, the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) 12 m submillimeter telescope has significantly contributed to a wide variety of submillimeter astronomy science areas, ranging from the discoveries of new molecules to large and deep imaging of the submillimeter sky.

Among the partners the next extension of APEX operations is being prepared, new instruments are being commissioned and in the planning, including new large cameras for wide-field imaging of
continuum emission and new heterodyne instruments highly complementary to ALMA.

While ALMA is maturing, APEX is strengthening its role not only as pathfinder for studying large samples and preparing for high angular resolution detailed imagining with ALMA but, vice versa, it also has fast response instruments to follow up new results from ALMA. Furthermore, APEX ensures southern hemisphere access for submillimeter projects complementing archival Herschel research as well as new SOFIA science.

The conference venue Ringberg Castle provides a unique setting for in depth discussions on current and future science with APEX. In particular, sessions on new scientific results, on synergies with
other observatories and on APEX beyond 2017 are envisioned. The castle can accommodate about 60-70 participants. A second announcement in a month from now will have further details on the
workshop and will ask for a registration together with a request for scientific contributions.

Updates will also be given on the workshop website: https://events.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/indico/event/8/