2009 has been declared by the UN as the International Year of Astronomy. The members of the Astronomical Institute ‘Anton Pannekoek’ at Amsterdam will make every effort to make this year’s conference a scientific and social success. The program will include poster prizes, outdoor activities on Thursday afternoon and a non-astronomical evening lecture.

As prices for conference accommodation have been rising substantially during the last years we have done our very best to find a place with reasonable prices. We kindly request you to help us to keep prices at this low rate by registering earlier than you are used to. We offer ‘early-bird’ subscribers a discount of 10% if registration takes place before February 9, 2009. Discounts are already taken into account on the registration form. After February 9, the standard prices will be requested. Registration will be open until March 10, 2009! After that date, we will do our best to accommodate you at an additional cost of €50, although no guarantee of a room can be given.

The ‘Anton Pannekoek’ Institute is scheduled to move to the new FNWI building at the Science Park on April 27, 2009; one reason more to ask you to be helpful and register early.

Thank you for you cooperation and we hope to welcome you all!

Also this year the NAC will attribute grants for conference participation at a reduced price. These grants can be used by participants, such as scientific journalists or job-seeking PhD students. If you think you qualify for a NAC grant, you can write a request before March 1, 2009 to: Dr. G. Hammerschlag-Hensberge, Astronomical Institute, Science Park 107, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, e-mail: