IAU S304: Multiwavelength AGN Surveys and Studies


AGN surveys are the source for the most interesting objects in the extragalactic Universe: QSOs, Seyfert galaxies, blazars, radio galaxies, LINERs, etc. They are important for understanding the variety of extragalactic sources and their interrelationship, as well as understanding the evolution of the Universe. Recent ground-based and space missions give vast amount of new multiwavelength (MW) data, which are being put together to discover many new AGN. Virtual Observatories (VOs) help in accomplishment of complex research programs using all these data. A combined study of these data also gives the overall picture of the AGN and answers some of the most important questions:
  • understanding the possible evolutionary and/or physical connection between the different classes of AGN, i.e. their consistency with the unification model,
  • the relation of AGN to their host galaxies,
  • understanding the true fraction of heavily obscured AGN in order to determine the true AGN luminosity function and its variation with redshift.

    The Symposium will provide a good opportunity to elaborate a strategy, based on the acquired experience, to plan future surveys best fitted to fulfill the needs, and to coordinate follow-up observations with the new large ground-based and space telescopes.

    IAU Symposium 304 is dedicated to B.E. Markarian’s 100th anniversary. Benyamin Markarian (1913-1985, http://markarian.aras.am/) was the first to conduct and accomplish a large-area (17,000 sq. deg.) spectroscopic survey to search for active galaxies. Markarian survey is until now the largest objective-prism spectroscopic survey, it was the first systematic search for active galaxies using a new method of UV-excess, it resulted in the discovery of 1515 UVX galaxies (Markarian galaxies), including many AGN and Starbursts, first classification of Seyferts into Sy1 and Sy2, and definition of Starburst galaxies.

    A number of outstanding scientists are invited to give talks on various matters related to AGN surveys and studies. Many young participants have registered as well. Altogether, some 160 participants are expected from 35 countries.

    A number of important astronomical meetings have been organized in Armenia, mostly in the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) (http://aras.am/BAO/meetings.html): the IAU Symposia: #29 in 1966 (Non-Stable Phenomena in Galaxies), #121 in 1986 (Observational Evidence of Activity in Galaxies), #137 in 1989 (Flare Stars in Star Clusters, Associations and Solar Vicinity), and #194 in 1998 (Activity in Galaxies and Related Phenomena), the IAU Colloquium #184 in 2001 (AGN Surveys), as well as the all-European JENAM meeting in 2007. Moreover, the Byurakan International Summer Schools (BISS) are being organized since 2006, and four successful schools have been held in 2006, 2008, 2010 (combined with the 32th IAU ISYA), and 2012.

    The IAU Symposium #304 will be held at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA, http://www.sci.am/). The NAS RA big hall will be used for the scientific sessions. Posters will be displayed in the NAS RA foyer and coffee breaks will be organized in the same area. Lunches will be served in the NAS RA canteen, just at 2 minutes walking distance from the meeting hall.