First Circular

The formation and evolution of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are among the most exciting and challenging topics in astronomy and astrophysics. New wide-field deep surveys are required to tackle these issues, and Subaru's new wide-field camera (Hyper Suprime-Cam; HSC) will bring promising opportunities to make breakthroughs in this research field. The HSC-SSP (Subaru Strategic Program) survey obtained its first data in March 2014, and is now delivering outstanding data. In this workshop, we will have intensive face-to-face discussion among HSC collaboration astronomers (from Taiwan, Japan, and Princeton) about scientific opportunities from the first-year data. Note that this workshop is a closed meeting, only for the HSC collaborators from Taiwan, Japan, and Princeton.

We will focus on doing science and writing papers based on the first-year data of the HSC-SSP survey. Specifically we will focus on the following topics:

Current status of the HSC hardware
HSC reduction pipeline, database, and the internal data release
Outcomes of the S14A and S14B runs
Quasar selection methods
AGN photometric redshifts
Statistics of quasars and SMBHs from the HSC data
Co-evolution studies of SMBHs and galaxies with the HSC data
Synergies of HSC and multi-wavelength data for SMBH studies
Strategies for spectroscopic follow-up and the relation with PFS
Theoretical preparations for HSC quasar surveys
Discussion for publications and the S15A runs
Action items for the HSC-SSP 2nd year and beyond that

The meeting will take place at Academia Sinica, Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA). The institute is located in the city of Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, on the grounds of National Taiwan University (*not* in the Academia Sinica Campus near Nan-Kang). The weather in Taipei is typically fine and warm in December, and visitors can enjoy nearby night markets (the nearest one is within walking distance), historical places within the city, excellent museums, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, and superb cuisine, all accessible with a very convenient subway system.

Details of registration, abstract submission, travel info, and so on will be announced in the second circular, which will be distributed in the late September. Though the total available budget is limited, we will be able to support travel expenses for some of the participants. More details on this travel support will be announced in the second circular. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us (tohrucosmos.ehime-u.ac.jp).

We plan to arrange your hotel reservations after gathering information about your stay, which will be announced in the 2nd circular. We can also help with visas, and therefore please let the LOC know as soon as possible if you need the travel visa.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Taipei!