A Symbiotic (Stars) Workshop

Participants of the Accretion Processes in Symbiotic Stars and Related Objects workshop during the group’s visit to the Gemini South telescope. Photo courtesy Seok-Jun Chang.

In early December a three-day science workshop on the subject of Accretion Processes in Symbiotic Stars and Related Objects brought together several dozen researchers to La Serena Chile. Thanks to the collaboration of our Korean and Chilean partners, as well as the University of La Serena (who hosted the sessions), participants enjoyed many excellent presentations by leaders in the field. While the focus was on symbiotic stars, these star’s relation to cataclysmic variables, X-ray binaries, type Ia supernovae, and planetary nebulae made for diverse and compelling presentations. Ample attention to Gemini’s instrumentation that is relevant to the study of symbiotic stars also populated the agenda. Lively discussions, fresh insights, and new collaborations were born from the meeting which culliminated with a visit to Gemini South. Rodolfo Angeloni and the Local Organizing Committee deserve a special thanks for doing such a fantastic job in organizing the workshop.