TUESDAYS 11:00AM, 3RD FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, VARIAN HALL

FRIDAYS 10:30AM, 3RD FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, FRED KAVLI BUILDING, SLAC

The regular astro-ph coffee times (both on campus and at SLAC) consist of a discussion of recent hot papers and a short talk from a member of the group. The aims of this exercise are to raise awareness of each other's activities, and provide a stage for the presentation of interesting new results, an upcoming conference paper, or a particular problem that would best be tackled with help from other members of the group. By keeping the atmosphere friendly and informal, these talks hopefully help to improve communication across the group. The carrot is finding out what others are up to (and hopefully being entertained in the process). The stick is that everyone is expected to contribute at some point.

The rules are as follows:

• Talks are to last NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES, and the question time afterwards will be similarly restricted
• Talks should be aimed at the level of a first-year graduate student
• EVERYBODY has to take their turn: we'll probably get through the whole group in a single quarter before starting again. Volunteers will get first pick of the dates, but you only get one slot per quarter
• There are no rules about presentation style so don't feel obliged to prepare a fancy powerpoint presentation. There are blackboards in both locations if you prefer to 'talk and chalk'

• An interesting or amusing aspect of your current research or reading that others would benefit from hearing about ("The Titbit")
• A thorny problem that you'd like to explain and then get help with ("The Poser")
• A presentation you've put together for a short conference talk ("The Run-through")
• A recent result that you are particularly excited about ("The Champion")
• A short summary of your recent work and your future directions ("The New Kid")

The teatime talks are organised and regulated by a benign dictatorship - this job is fairly taxing so the current incumbents will step down at the end of the 2006-2007 financial year. Until then, you can volunteer for a slot by emailing Steven at any time, otherwise you'll be hearing from him shortly. David, as deputy dictator, will fill in from time to time.

In addition, the speakers and their colleagues are formally invited to join Pierre Schwob for lunch at the Faculty Club on Friday at 12:00. You should sign up yourself and your colleagues before Thursday evening.

Finally, this webpage contains the current schedule.