24th July – 13th August,

Supporters of the IAYC

The International Workshop for e.V. (IWA) wishes to thank the people, organisations, institutes and companies that supported the IAYC 2015:

• Fördergemeinschaft für naturwissenschaftliche Jugendarbeit e.V., Berlin, (FNJ) • Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg • Leopold Figl-Observatorium für Astrophysik, Instituts für Astrophysik der Universität Wien • Physik-Department E15, Technische Universität München (TUM)

And the people, organisations, institutes and companies that will be supporting the IAYC 2016:

• Fördergemeinschaft für naturwissenschaftliche Jugendarbeit e.V., Berlin, Germany (FNJ) • Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) • British Astronomical Association (BAA) • Faulkes Telescope Project IAYC: The International Astronomical Youth Camp

The International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) is a three-week long summer camp aiming to promote the knowledge of astronomy and astronomy-related sciences in a unique and international atmosphere. Each year the IAYC takes place in a different location in . About sixty-five people from all over the world live and work together for the duration of the camp. Participants are between 16 and 24 years old (16 and 24 included) and all share a common interest: astronomy.

The IAYC is different from other astronomical camps for two reasons: (1) the international atmosphere and (2) the fact that you will carry out your own small research project. You will not just accept facts, but you will discover them yourself while working together with other people. The IAYC is not like a typical astronomical summer school.

Every participant, with his or her own cultural background, forms an integral piece in the complex puzzle that is camp life. Therefore the success of the camp will also depend on your contribution!

IWA – The Organisation Participants behind the IAYC To participate in the IAYC you must be 16 to 24 years old (16 and 24 included). The IAYCs are organised by an inter- English is the camp language, so you will national team of students and young need to speak English not only during scientists. They are all volunteers who working group activities and the non- started as participants and were then astronomical programme, but also selected to join “The International throughout the entire camp. The aim of Workshop for Astronomy” – IWA for this is to encourage those from different short – as leaders. As the association countries or language groups to spend responsible for organising the IAYC, IWA time together. The IAYC offers a great has around 4 decades of experience with opportunity to make friends from many the camp. IWA is registered as a non- different countries, and no need to profit organisation in Germany and worry, your English does not need to be therefore has no interest in commercial perfect. You should just be able to gain from the IAYC. have a normal conversation without a dictionary.

The IAYC is an astronomy camp, therefore you should obviously be interested in science and astronomy. You should also be willing to carry out a small research project on your own, though your leader will always be there to support and help you.

About the IAYC 2016

The IAYC 2016 will be taking place in the Camp house: Nettlecombe Court UK for the first time. It will be at Address: , , Nettlecombe Court, a 16th century manor TA4 4HT house located in the National Coodinates: Latitude: 51° 7’ 51.6” N Park, . This area was also Longitude: 3° 21’ 0” W named the first International Dark Sky in Altitude: ~ 100 m Europe!

The nearest small town is Williton (3 miles/5 km) and the largest nearby town is Taunton (16 miles/26 km) where there is a train and a bus station. The nearest cities include Bristol (55 miles/90 km) and London (167 miles/270 km). More information can be found using maps.google.com or by contacting [email protected]. A few facts about England Nettlecombe Court serves as the Leonard Area: 130,395 km² Wills Field Centre, as a part of the Field Population: ~53 Million (2011) Studies Council. There are 15 dormitory Capital: London rooms, and four well-equipped teaching Official Language: English rooms. In addition, there is a student Currency: Pound (GBP) £ common room which has a pool table, a piano, arcade games, and table football. There is also plenty of space outside for games and activities, an observation field, as well as a stream, woodlands, grasslands, and a river only a short walk away.

Travelling in Europe in general (and in England in particular) is very safe.

The IAYC Experience Daily Schedule: 11:30 Waking up service 12:00 Breakfast Free time 13:00 - 15:30 1st working group session Observing Free time 17:30 Lunch Nettlecombe Court is located in an area Free time of very little light pollution. These 19:30 NAP conditions will be ideal for observing, 22:00 - 24:00 2nd working group session which takes place during working group 24:00 Dinner time as part of your project, or outside Observations / Free time after midnight meal when the telescopes are available for everyone. Catch a An IAYC day starts with breakfast at glimpse of a celestial object through a noon (12:00), allowing for enough sleep telescope or lie down in your sleeping after a long night out on the observation bag and enjoy the view. field. After breakfast, the first of two daily working group sessions starts at It’s not a problem if you don’t have any one o’clock (13:00). experience observing, the leaders and other participants are always happy to During working group sessions, you will help. It doesn’t matter if it’s about work on a project of your choice. There constellations, how to use a telescope or will be 8 different working groups with how to take astro-pictures. At the around nine participants each, plus a beginning of the camp we will offer a leader. Collaboration is encouraged as telescope introduction to help you get a projects aren’t usually carried out alone. feel for the basics of how to use a You will read up on the topic by telescope on your own. yourselves, explain things to each other, Furthermore, there’ll be a Dark Room carry out necessary observations and available. This means that you can take calculations, and take measurements etc. analogue (film) photos and develop them In short, you should not expect a school- yourself. You are also welcome to bring like environment where a teacher your own telescope or binoculars. We provides all the information and tells you will have available several telescopes what to do. But don’t worry, even though and CCD cameras suitable for observing you’re working on your own your leader and the taking of astro-pictures. For will still always be there to guide you if further information, contact you get stuck. [email protected] or [email protected]. Projects are offered at all levels, from Participation high school to university level, and you will also write a report. The reports will The participation fee for timely be compiled together into a book, and applications is 690 EUR. This applies to sent to you after the camp. applications sent before the

Free time is for astronomy lectures, 10th of April 2016 sports activities or workshops. These are often organised by other participants, so The post stamp date counts! Later feel free to organise your own! Free time applications will be considered if places ends with lunch at half past five (17.30). are still available, with an increased fee of 750 EUR. Timely applicants will be Doing nothing else but astronomy for notified about the outcome of their three weeks would be too much. This is application at the end of April. If what the Non-Astronomical Programme accepted, you will need to transfer the (NAP) is for. NAP is a time where applicable participation fee within 7 days anything-but-astronomy activities are of receiving the acceptance e-mail. organised for the entire camp. If financial reasons keep you from After NAP, the second working group applying, then we encourage you to seek session takes place (22:00). This is support from our limited grant followed by the final scheduled event of programme. Write to [email protected] to the day, a light meal served at midnight. obtain a grant application form. Grant After this, if the sky is clear, it’s time to applications will only be accepted go out to the observation field and do together with the normal application what everyone at this camp loves to do: form (i.e. you cannot apply for a grant observe! after you have already been accepted to There are also two special days: attend the camp). The deadline for Excursion Day - visit local attractions and sending in a grant application is the learn something new! (This is included in th the participation fee.) And the Free Day – 27 of March 2016 a day to be spent in any way you wish. (post stamp date counts). There will be a short 10 minute Skype interview for those who apply for a grant.

See the following pages for information about the different working group choices, as well as the General Coordinator and NAP roles.

2016: An IAYC Odyssey

Tags: science-fiction, theoretical physics, conceptual physics

Dear Sci-Fi lovers, I have an offer that you simply cannot refuse! Did you see the latest movie about the legendary adventures of that guy in Space? Afterwards, did you spend hours discussing with your nerdy friends about all the things which were physically wrong? Did you ever wonder if time-travel is feasible under Einstein's theory of general relativity? Or if quantum mechanics can really account for those inexplicable dualities in the last Super-Duper-Heroes saga?

Then, my friend, this working group is just for you! If you can see a person Science and science-fiction have always been closely related. The latter walking down a hall, always pushes science to its limits, and can often predict inventions and theories decades before science has even had a chance. Take novels smiling, chatting with written by Jules Verne or Isaac Asimov, for example, which have people and hugging them, anticipated many discoveries before their time. There are tons of then you have found Eli! mysteries in that have been addressed by science-fiction and sometimes this gives birth to real science works. To mention a Eli is currently completing recent one, have a look at this paper produced after her Master’s degree at the the famous Interstellar movie (http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0264- TU Munich and if all goes 9381/32/6/065001). But it does not end just there, science-fiction well she will be finished by provides an insight to present astronomical issues, such as space ships and space travel; dramatic problems faced by astronauts; the dynamics the time the camp starts. At and physical conditions on other planets… see for example The the moment she is focusing Martian, another very recent stimulating movie. And perhaps her research on improving you have also heard about the physics behind Star Trek! the light detectors of the (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Physics_of_Star_Trek) “Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Science, physics, astronomy, cosmology... all can be studied in the Superconducting amazing world of science-fiction. It will be our aim to entertain the Thermometers” (CRESST) most fascinating questions in this field from this fantastic perspective! We will push the boundaries of science using our own imagination. We for the direct detection of will study the real phenomena scientifically, and compare them to their dark matter. descriptions in your favourite movies and novels. This idea of approaching science is, nonetheless, not new at all – Professor James She really knows her stuff Kakalios from the University of Minnesota has successfully done this in and if you ever fancy a chat his book, The Physics of Superheroes. He made the dull subject of about , Classical Mechanics far more exciting through studying the boots of she is the girl you want to Superman and other heroes! (http://www.physicsofsuperheroes.com/) talk to. Be sure you greet her with a smile and an If you want to participate in this IAYC Odyssey, be ready to spend three weeks sailing between the boundaries of what is and what could be “Hola Eli!” to get the real. We will have the most epic of films and novels at hand to guide conversation started! If you us, and by the end, you will have unraveled the physics and are in her group, you are behind them. Time will pass us by as though we had only going to have an amazing been reading and watching movies! Of course, I will provide popcorn, three weeks! tea, cookies and blankets so that our particular space-ship journey will be the coziest ever!

Eli [email protected] AARDVARK - Ancient Asterisms, Retrograde Data & Very AstRonomical Kultures

Tags: cultural astronomy, historical astronomy, astrometry

Since ancient times man has gazed up to the sky and looked for patterns to keep track of time or use as a calendar. These patterns have changed over millennia, and the constellations we see today have been known in many different forms and names throughout the ages. It would be handy to have some kind of time travelling device in order to travel back and talk to these people of the old times and listen to the fascinating stories they could tell. Since, sadly we have not invented such a device (if we did it would have to be blue and box-shaped of course ;) ) our primary sources of Klaus? Klaus is awesome! information are stone arrangements, stories and lore that have Originally from , he been passed on by countless generations. works at the Planetarium of Vienna. He is about to In Aardvark we are going to look at some of the asterisms that have complete his Masters in been devised by different cultures all around the globe (perhaps the Astronomy on “Star Charts cultures of the Inca, Maya or the Aborigines just to name a few) and and implications for what we can learn from that, astronomically speaking. Ethnoastronomy” at the University of Vienna. As you might guess, he loves Thinking of ancient cultures and their astronomical heritage we can archeoastronomy! still examine today, one probably comes to mind in particular: Stonehenge. But there are also many other similar structures with If you spend time with him astronomical background. Some of them face the or the Moon, you'll be lying under the others point towards celestial objects like bright stars or planets. stars listening to his endless We are going to compare some of these structures and look at the collection of stories about criteria that tell us if they really might be oriented with respect to the astronomy of ancient the skies or if the apparent orientation is just coincidental. civilizations; the awe is never ending. Not only will we go back to ancient times, but there will also be some projects concerned with more recent astronomers, who have Klaus has been coming to shaped our understanding of astronomy, and their work. If you the IAYC since 2010 and has want to find out which astronomers I am talking about, either be been a leader since 2013. part of Aardvark or swing by our group for a chat at some point But Klausi is much more than this, he is the good during the camp! friend who never ceases to surprise you with his There will be lots of data to sort through and analyse while eating intelligence, tenderness, cookies and drinking tea (we are going to be in Britain after all ;) ) charm, and his infinite and of course observing sessions during clear nights for finding attributes. And his dark side constellations and maybe even devising your own. is even better; all the time he is day-dreaming in his Looking forward to seeing you all in Nettlecombe Court! own particular Tardis. So if you happen to be on board Klaus with him in AARDVARK, the [email protected] good humour and cozy environment is going to be assured! ARES – AstrophotogRaphy and sciEntific studieS

Tags: astrophotography, data analysis, experimental

Some could think the time machine has never been invented but I think most of us have one: a camera. You only need to point your camera to the night sky and you will capture photons that have been travelling for thousands or even millions of years. When you look at Andromeda’s you are looking at something that happened before the first human walked on Earth.

What could we do with those captured photons? You will Have you ever bought yourself a discover it in ARES: during the night we will make pictures €1500 equatorial mount and capable of thrilling everyone with their beauty. Colorful stars, thought, “It looks great, but it'd wonderful nebulae, distant ... But why do we have to be better in tiny pieces on my living room floor.” No? Well stop there? We will go much further. What about analysing neither have I, but this Spaniard those pictures? We will turn them into science, discovering has, and to top it all off, he put it the composition of the stars and nebulae or trying to figure back together again and it out the age of star clusters. worked even better afterwards!

Maybe dismantling telescope We will learn how telescopes work, how digital cameras are mounts isn't your thing, but I'm capable of producing images and how to discover the sure you'll still find something in mysteries of the universe by processing those images with common. Perhaps being a physics your computer. Whatever you decide to do, remember you student? Or maybe president of will spend nights capturing those awesome photons and your local astronomy club or watching the stars with other astronomers. I will keep an eye even being a self-proclaimed god at astrophotography? on you, so cookies, coffee and cool music will never be missing. So whether he's serving baked goods to his local community (no See you all in Nettlecombe Court, bun intended) or capturing photons emitted millions of years Alex ago taken on his DSLR chip from [email protected] his back yard, he always has a story to tell. And don't forget to ask to see his astronomical pictures, you will genuinely be blown away. You'll be in safe hands with this astrophysics / astrophotographic walking encyclopedia. ATLAS – Automated Telescopes, Light And Sensors

Tags: practical, making, observing, electronics, robotics

“If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.” ― Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

I admit it, as much as I love the outdoors, sometimes I would much rather be inside on a cold night. Nowadays professional observations are often performed remotely. Either you ask someone else (on a mountain) to take your data or you use a robotic telescope that you control over the internet. ATLAS will be looking at the second option! Robotic telescopes are awesome, they can observe by themselves all year-round Josh made his first (weather permitting) and they can do tedious work like appearance in IAYC in 2009, surveying. and since then, he's shared his company with us on As a group we will take a telescope and turn it into a robot. every camp. Josh is slowly We will generously provide it with automatic controlled becoming an IAYC dinosaur, motors, a CCD camera and a cozy dome to live in. We'll hook returning for the 8th time, this up to a network and hopefully be able to operate it from and 6th time as a leader. indoors. Finally, we'll pick some interesting targets and try to This hobbity little take all of our data automatically. Lots of questions need Englishman is one of answering such as: where are we pointing? is that really the IAYC’s most prized where we're pointing? what happens if it starts raining (it's possessions. Soon-to-be-Dr Britain after all)? how do we compensate for the Earth's Josh is currently a PhD rotation? student at the UCL Mullard Space Lab, where he works Most of the projects will involve writing the control software on 3D imaging and rovers. for a single part of the telescope system. Don't worry if you've Be it night or day, Josh never written a program or even held a screwdriver before, I'll always has his face hidden teach you! Building stuff is one of the most rewarding things behind some sort of light you can do in life, so let's get stuck in and build an capturing device, be it a DSLR camera or a telescope. observatory! A bit laid-back and with a

particular sense of humour, Josh you'll see he creates a [email protected] unique and charming atmosphere. Josh knows a great deal about physics, astronomy, cameras, and computers, so grab a tea or coffee, sit down with Josh and enjoy the information overload.

DOG – Dan’s Observing Group

Tags: astrophotography, observations, practical

Talk to any astronomer these days and they’ll probably brag about how big their telescope is or how small their diffraction limited angular resolution is. Why do astronomers care about their telescopes so much? Mainly because it’s the tool used to detect one of the few things we can actually measure from space: light!

Astrophysics is a weird science; it’s probably the only one where you can’t touch your experiments, you can only watch. It’s not like This smart and handsome you can just go and stick a thermometer in the sun (speaking from guy is Dan, a 20-year-old experience here, I couldn’t reach no matter how hard I tried). All Englishman with a great you can do is observe your experiment from afar, and with only adventurous spirit. This photons hitting your detector, as an astrophysicist there is so much spirit (and maple syrup) has to learn. led him to Montreal for a year to continue his studies So, now that I’ve explained to you why telescopes are so important in Physics and Astronomy. to astrophysics, let me introduce the working group. Here, we will Dan is seizing his time in not be using telescopes (yes, you read that right, we won’t be using Canada and travelling telescopes). Everyone’s using telescopes these days, from those extensively! Ottawa, guys at MIT to the kid down the street. It can get pretty boring after Boston, New York, a while, which is why we will explore the cosmos with anything but. Toronto... Not even the Doctor could have done We are going to make observations of our local universe just like that! they did back in the old days, before they had the fancy equipment that we can get our hands on today. This will involve some thinking Dan has also created the too; maybe you'll be calculating the lifetime of the sun with pen, astronomy society at the paper and a tin can at your disposal, or proving that the simplest University of Leeds and was way to see what happens at the end of the universe would be to also President! He’s coming throw yourself into a black hole through the power of thought (and back for his 4th camp, 2nd your choice of beverage) alone. Curious as to how you can do all one as a leader. And he’s a this without a telescope? Then join DOG for a tail wagging time you great one! Dan's always won’t forget. willing to help and never gives up (just ask him about See you there! the IAYC Olympics). In his Dan working group, you will [email protected] find a very comfortable environment because he’s always looking at the bright side of things with his wonderful sense of humour. EPICAS – Easy ProgrammIng, Computation and

AStronomical Simulations

Tags: programming, theoretical, simulations

♫ Each new discovery that we acclaim brings us much closer to reach our aim. So we will finally see all of the universe, exists by being observed, expanding every day. As we reach further, let's take this chance to carry on. We will unravel mysteries! And take the challenge as it comes. We will exceed our boundaries! When will look around and see, we will affect the energy. When we observe by any means, we will create reality. We will not find if we don't seek, we will not know if we don't peek. We cannot do if we don't be, facing our deadlock now. This is our quantum enigma! ♪ Hailing from the mysterious Basque country and Who said programming is boring? Who said it is too complicated? Is it even useful for astronomy? It turns out it is! It's one of the most studying astrophysics in the useful and powerful tools we have! Astrophysicists use many always-sunny Tenerife, Irati different programming languages for multiple purposes. They can has been to every camp be used for things as simple as easy calculations to complicated since 2008! Now that’s what model simulations. These simulations help us understand the you call experience. Universe around us and prove the validity of our theories, for example. Whether you want to talk If you always wanted to learn how to program but you were always for hours about the Game too afraid to do so, this is definitely your Working Group! I will of Thrones, get your provide you with all the tools necessary to learn step by step the knowledge about solar easiest program language used in the astronomy world: Python. If physics straight or just bang you already know how to program but you would like to learn more, or try some cool simulations, then this is your Working Group your head to some too! We could try to simulate the formation of stars in a galaxy, awesome metal tunes, look gravitational lenses, galaxy collisions, the differential rotation of no further. sunspots, the transit of an ... You are always welcome to come up with your own ideas too! And don't forget I'll be there to If you are lucky enough to help you anytime you struggle, also for moral support and to provide you with cookies, crisps and obviously: tea. find yourself in her working group expect tons and tons See you in Nettlecombe Court! of laughter, smiles, awesome music, cookies ♪ The reason we stand facing the rising Sun the pain goes on and and generally, high quality on. We hold deep inside the power to guide us until we touch the time. Be sure to ask her sky. The reason we stand with pride is the will to live and to reach about previous camps and for the stars. So never look back and we'll keep on fighting until we touch the sky. ♫ prepare for one hell of a story!

Irati [email protected] Team Rocket

Tags: rockets, experimental, practical, data analysis

As the old saying goes - "Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light. Surrender now or prepare to fight!". Here at Team Rocket that's exactly what we'll be doing. Attempting to blast off at (some tiny fraction of) the speed of light. And when that doesn't work, we won't surrender, we'll fight with our creations until they do blast off.

In Team Rocket, as the name suggests, we'll be going through the A-Z of rockets. Everything from the hands-on part of Kieran is the definition of a designing and building your own rockets through to tackling living IAYC dinosaur, but the physics behind the major questions that will arise - for he's more like Barney than example: How can I make it fly higher and longer? How do I T-Rex. With 7 camps under get it to fly straight? Why doesn't it work? Is this really the his belt (including best way to make a rocket? My rocket's broken, how can I fix experience running the it? Kieran, why are you running so fast? show), he knows what's what. You can always feel Rockets come in all shapes and sizes and it doesn't matter safe around Kieran, he's how much or how little experience you have with building from a country where things, we'll find the right rocket for you. Happy to get wet? I everything wants to kill challenge you to design and launch a multi-stage water you. rocket! Enthusiastic about chemistry (and have a really big laptop charger?), then why not power your rocket with He's a smart fellow, in the hydrogen and oxygen!? Fancy yourself a bit of a pilot? Try not middle of his PhD trying to to crash the drone rocket on the first flight! Or if you're more make sure that the European Extremely Large the indoors-y type, why not design the next generation of re- Telescope does what it usable rockets for taking people to Mars? In Team Rocket says it should. Most of all, anything is possible! he's a thoroughly nice guy who loves to talk about So join me this Summer in Team Rocket and put your physics crazy experiments, the knowledge to the test. Share with everyone the highs and Weather?!, and his lows as your rockets soar through the air... or crash unfortunate incident with spectacularly into a sheep in the paddock next door. One a drop bear. If you want to thing is certain though, we'll enjoy every moment of it! know about astronomy, Austr(al)ia, and other things beginning with A, Kieran he's your man! [email protected] NEXUS – Numberless and eXtraterrestrials in the UniverSe

Tags: exoplanets, data analysis, theoretical physics

As of today we have already confirmed the existence of about 2000 of them, at least 5000 very promising candidates are waiting in line and there might be hundreds of billions of them just in our own . Exoplanets.

How do those countless worlds form and what are they like? How can we detect them and study them in detail? Most importantly though, how many of those worlds harbour life? Let's talk about Mac! Originally from Poland, he's starting his studies in In NEXUS we will try to answer those and many, many other Computer Science in the questions that are arguably among the most fascinating and beautiful city of Glasgow. compelling mysteries of modern science. The areas of exoplanetary This being his second year astronomy and will be yours to explore to get a better as a leader at the age of 19, he hasn't missed a camp understanding of our wondrous universe. since 2013 when he started as a participant. Prepare to spend hours talking about the origins of life, Fermi Paradox, worlds made out of diamonds, scientific methods of But don't be fooled by his sometimes scary look, he finding and contacting aliens and discussing whether nuking Mars has a great sense of humour to make it habitable again is a good idea. There will be both and he'll make you laugh theoretical and practical projects to play around with. Books to when you least expect it. read, data to analyse, videos to watch, simulations and games to Amongst his talents we can highlight his guitar playing, enjoy! his eyebrow raising and his Stephen Hawking Whether you are completely new to the area of exoplanets, want to impression. It's almost as delve deeper into the field, are captivated by the premise of solving hilarious as asking him to put on a specific facial the mystery of life, or simply often stand outside and look at the expression! stars wondering if there is anyone looking back, NEXUS will be a perfect fit for you. He can be a bit shy in the beginning, but that “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known” shouldn't stop you from talking to him since you can earn a really good friend for Cookies, tea and lots of awesome music included. life. Mac [email protected]

NAP – Non-Astronomical Programme

Non-astronomy in an astronomical camp? Whaaat?! SHAME!!! You might think! Let me give you a quick idea about the NAP before you throw me to the wolves. NAP, in its weird way, will soon turn out to be the only thing standing between your sanity and science/computer- failure/clouds-caused frustrations!

What really is the NAP? When seventy people from all over the world run around in a field making weird sounds or screaming at the top of their voice - that’s NAP. When you There are far too many learn about different cultures, see traditional dances and wonderful things to say about taste foreign food - that’s NAP. People listening to poems in Aitor in such a short space, but I dozens of different languages by candlelight - that’s NAP. shall do my best; he is one of When the spirit of Benny the 80s LEGO astronaut possesses the most amazing Basquian you and you start constructing a spaceship with some sticky creatures to have ever walked tape and plastic straws - that can also be NAP. This will be this Earth. This will be Aitor's the time to forget about your project, to forget about your third camp as a leader, and his problems, to forget about everything you know. It’s time to seventh camp in total; he'll make relax: your daily stress relief. you feel right at home here at the IAYC. He is currently doing a Still not sure what this is all about? Imagine the camp house. PhD at the University of If the General is the ruler of the estate, then the NAP is the Stockholm in all things butler of the house. While the General will make sure that meteorology (i.e. the stuff that everything runs smoothly and without any problems, I will happens in the sky), so if anyone make sure that you are on time for breakfast, I will provide can bring us clear skies, Aitor you with all the necessary material you require for your can. (No pressure.) project (yes, we have sticky tape. No, we don’t have minions to do the project for you), I will be the custodian of all the Apart from attending to the secrets happening upstairs or downstairs. But I will also try weather, Aitor will have you on to trigger your wild side, spark the craziness, create some the floor laughing in stitches at beautiful chaos and induce the glorious fun! one moment, to feeling oddly melancholic about the distinct Convinced? Well, luckily for you, you don’t have to apply to lack of bread the next. But most this WG because you are already a member of NAP. of all, he is going to bring us 3 weeks of NAP we're never going See you all when the morning has broken! to forget! I can't think of anyone Aitor else better qualified; someone [email protected] who can make forced fun, actually fun. Make sure you practice your running though, this creature is fast on his feet, and we're going to need all the help we can get if we're ever going to catch him! Oh and beware, the last thing you want is for him to shame you! GEN – General Coordinator

It is my utter delight to welcome you to Downton Abbey Nettlecombe Court, for the first ever IAYC in the UK! As the General Coordinator I have already tended to the mosquitos, and they will not be joining us this year. (You can thank me later.) However, my main role is of much greater importance than this. Vital importance in fact. We're talking life and death here. Yes, you've guessed it. Tea. (And yes, I'm being serious.) Rest assured, for you will be able to sleep at night knowing that there is a cup of beautifully brewed English Breakfast already waiting for you when you arise. There'll This independent, young, also undoubtedly be some piquant Assam to keep you invigorated talented, funny and crazy and vitalised through the working hours, followed by a delightful Scot started as a participant Earl Grey to allow for a pleasant, mellow evening of stars a- in 2011 and has never missed twinkling and stars a-falling. As long as I am here, you have nothing a camp since then. This year she has the honour of being to fear, there will be tea aplenty! our General. But don’t be shy to meet her, she may boss Most of the time I'll be invisible. Unfortunately that won't be you around but once you see because I have superpowers, but rather, I'll be solving any problems her playing during the NAP or dancing at a party you will that you might encounter before they've even surfaced. I'll be the forget that she is wearing the one working behind the scenes to make sure that there's enough General hat. Oh WAIT!! That food to be eaten, enough hot water to shower in, enough stars to reminds me that she is the be observed, and enough laundry detergent for your laundry. true dancing queen of the camp. Generally speaking, the General makes sure that everything goes according to plan. Because everything always goes according to As I’m writing this, she is plan. Right? If you would like to test this statement (scientifically, if finishing her semester in you please), then I look forward to meeting you and your attempts as part of the AstroMundus Masters to refute me. programme. But who knows, maybe when you read these “I can't wait, what a pleasure it will be to attend an astronomy lines she is back home in camp in the Exmoor International Dark Sky Reserve!”, I hear you rainy Scotland, or enjoying say? the experience of a different country, with new people and new adventures. “Oh, not at all, the pleasure is all mine.” But whether serious as our General or smiling, Hannah Hannah will make sure the camp runs smoothly. She’ll provide [email protected] tissues and apples, and sort out all the little issues that you don't even need to know are there.

Your application for the IAYC 2016

If you want to participate in the IAYC If you apply before the 10th of April 2016, fill in the application form that is 2016 (post stamp date counts), you will also available on our website, be informed about your acceptance at (www.iayc.org) and send it to us as soon the end of April 2016. Later applications as possible. If you are not yet 18 (21 in will be considered if places are still some countries) your legal guardian available. (usually a parent) has to sign the form as well. Please do not forget to attach a If accepted, you will need to transfer the recent picture of yourself. applicable participation fee within 7 days of receiving the acceptance email. Make sure you have read the terms and conditions on the application form If you need to apply for a VISA to enter carefully. Please note that you are England please contact the British obliged to have health insurance, which embassy or foreign office in your country is valid in England for the duration of as soon as possible to find out what the camp. If we decide to accept your documents you will need and to make an application you will need to send a copy appointment for your visa application at of your insurance certificate to us (e.g. the end of May, even if your application travel insurance certificate, European has not yet been accepted. Organise this Health Insurance Card, etc.). ASAP! Once you have been accepted to the IAYC we will provide a letter of To guarantee that we receive your invitation if necessary – please find out application, please send a scan of what details this letter should contain your signed application form to and contact us at least 2 weeks before [email protected] your appointment at the embassy! Apart from the letter of invitation, To complete your application obtaining a visa is your responsibility. procedure, please also send the signed application by regular post to:

IAYC 2016 c/o Kieran Leschinski Elterleinplatz 1/9A 1170 WIEN AUSTRIA

Please note that we will only consider applications if we have received a signed paper copy via regular post. Travel to the IAYC The IAYC on the Web

Please note that we cannot make travel The most recent information about the arrangements for individual participants. camp is always available on our Travel to and from the camp is the sole homepage: www.iayc.org or can be responsibility of the participant. You will obtained by contacting [email protected]. however upon acceptance receive a link to the Second Info brochure. It will contain more detailed information on how to travel to the camp. Additionally, you will receive a list with the contact details of all the other participants attending the IAYC 2016. This will enable you to contact other participants and arrange travel to the camp together. We will be arranging for coaches to take participants from both London (exact location TBD) and Taunton to the camp house on the arrival day. This also applies for departure. More details will be available after acceptance.

Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] or any one of us should you have any questions!

We are looking forward to receiving your application and to seeing you in Exmoor,

Aitor, Alex, Dan, Eli, Hannah, Irati, Josh, Kieran, Klaus, and Mac

IWA is registered at the Amtsgericht Bochum, Germany, Abteilung 14, under registration number VR 1743

1/9A

Kieran Leschinski 0 WIEN 17 Return Address: IAYC 2016 c/o Elterleinplatz 1 AUSTRIA