FOREWORD

Abstract

These proceedings include the invited papers plus a few contributed papers from the Eighth International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas (ASOS 8). The meeting was held from 8 to 12 August 2004 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. ASOS meetings bring together basic and applied atomic spectroscopists, including some astronomers, from across the globe. The triennial ASOS meetings provide important opportunities for interaction between “consumers” and “producers” in the field of atomic spectroscopy.With new orbiting facilities extending astronomical observations into the infrared, extreme UV, and x-ray regions, and with new greatly improved ground-based telescopes, there is widespread recognition that we are living in a “Golden Age” of astronomy. The increasing availability of very large aperture, ground-based telescopes has made it possible to record high spectral resolution data with a high signal-to-noise ratio on a rapidly growing number of stars in the disk and halo of our Galaxy. Recent progress in x-ray astronomy, some of which is described in these proceedings, has been breathtaking. High red-shift studies using both large ground-based and orbiting observatories are changing our understanding of the Universe. Profound questions about the origins of the chemical elements, about stellar evolution, and about the origins and fate of the Universe are being addressed today. Atomic spectroscopy has a central role in many of these astrophysical explorations.Atomic spectroscopy of laboratory plasmas continues to be important in plasma R&D efforts to meet urgent needs of our society and all of humanity. This is particularly true of plasma R&D in lighting science and in the area of thermonuclear fusion research. The energy and environmental problems that we are now discussing will be much more serious in a very few decades.The impact of atomic spectroscopy in energy conservation is illustrated by work on Metal Halide High Intensity Discharge (MH-HID) lamps as discussed in these proceedings. MH-HID lamps have the potential to reduce energy consumption for roadway and other outdoor lighting by a factor of 2 to 3 using current technology. It is now widely realized that the extra “red” lumens provided by High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps over old fashioned “blue” mercury HID lamps are not useful in reducing the reaction time of drivers with dark adapted eyes. Indeed, we could replace existing HPS lighting in North America with half as many Watts of MH-HID lighting and achieve the same safety levels for drivers. The improved color rendering provided by MH-HID lamps has additional security advantages in many applications.Atomic spectroscopy continues to play a key role in diagnosing fusion research plasmas as described in these proceedings. A few decades ago heavy refractory elements, especially tungsten, were leading candidates for use in fusion research devices. Tungsten and other heavy elements fell out of favor because line radiation from partially stripped tungsten ions represented a serious power loss from the plasma core. New reactor design concepts involving limiters and divertors have renewed interest in the use of tungsten in fusion machines, and have restored interest in heavy element spectroscopy from the fusion community.The ASOS 8 meeting had 63 registered participants. The relatively small size of the conference provided enhanced opportunities for interactions and discussions, but eventually the small number of students entering our field will adversely impact astronomy and other fields. The talks and poster sessions were held at the Pyle Center on the shore of Lake Mendota in the heart of the UW campus. A special session was held to honor Professor Charles R (Chuck) Cowley of the University of Michigan and to recognize his many contributions to stellar spectroscopy. The conference excursion included a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural school, Taliesin, followed by dinner at a historic restaurant and a Shakespeare play at the American Players (outdoor) Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin.We thank: Dr Elizabeth A (Betsy) Den Hartog for her outstanding efforts on local arrangements, the staff of the Pyle (conference) Center for their excellent service, the International Organizing Committee for suggesting invited speakers, NASA for providing travel support to encourage the participation in ASOS 8 of international and domestic graduate students, and the US Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, for providing partial support for the publication of these proceedings.