Second Announcement

APSG Workshop 2011
on
Space Geodesy and Its Applications
for Geosciences and Space Exploitation

 25-27 June, 2011, Melbourne, Australia

Organized by:

Asia Pacific Space Geodynamics (APSG) Program Central Bureau
The RMIT University, Australia
Shanghai International Culture Association, China
Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Advisory Committee

Prof. Houtze Hsu (Chair), Institute of Geodesy & Geophysics, China
Prof. Shuhua Ye (Advisor), Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, China
Prof. Benjamin Chao, Institute of Earth Sciences of Academia Sinica, Taiwan, China.
Prof. John LaBrecque, NASA Headquarters, U.S.A.
Prof. Kefei Zhang, RMIT SPACE Research Centre, Australia
Prof. Kosuke Heki, Hokkaido University, Japan
Prof. Michael R. Pearlman, ILRS, Center for Astrophysics, USA
Prof. Pil-Ho Park, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, South Korea
Prof. Suriya Tatevian, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
Prof. Xiaoli Ding, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

 Dear Colleagues:

Thank you very much for the pre-registration form. We are looking forward to seeing you in Melbourne, Australia, 25-27 June, 2011.
Your presentation is included in the Program which can be found at the website: www.shao.ac.cn/APSG2011 and the Book of Abstracts will be available to all participants at the meeting.

 ACCOMMODATION

A list of hotels will be proposed for your choice as follows, all of the hotels are within easy walking distance to the venue of APSG Workshop, RMIT University.

(1)   Miami Hotel: http://www.themiami.com.au/ (13 Hawke Street, West Melbourne), 12-minute walking distance to RMIT and 25-minute walking distance to IUGG conference venue (about $60-90 per room per night).

(2)   Victoria Hotel: http://www.victoriahotel.com.au/ (215 Little Collins Street), 10-minute walking distance to RMIT and 20-minute walking distance to IUGG conference venue (about $100 per room per night)

(3)   Mercure Welcome Melbourne：http://www.mercurewelcome.com.au/ (265 Little Bourke Street), 8-minute walking stance to RMIT and 20-minute walking distance to IUGG conference venue (about $115-$150 per room per night).

(4)   Central Sky Lounge Apartment Hotel: http://www.centralskylounge.com.au/ (43 Therry Street), 5-minute walking distance to RMIT and 30-minute walking distance to IUGG conference venue (about $130 per room per night).

You can book your accommodation directly from the hotel websites (asking for RMIT Corporate Price). But you are advised to book the hotel via your travel agents and the fare is most likely slightly cheaper (than the website price and RMIT Corporate Price).  The location of the hotels above can be found on MAP 3 or in the interactive map.

WEATHER

June is the beginning of winter in Melbourne and for most of the time, Melbourne weather conditions are not too cold. The average temperature in June is about 7-14°C, so jackets, sweater and/or pull-overs are necessary during nighttime.

TRANSPORTATION

Melbourne's efficient public transport system, known as The Met, is an integrated service utilizing trams, trains and buses, with standard fares. The best way to see the city and central suburbs is by tram, a fast, cheap and convenient system that is one of the largest and oldest in the world. City Circle trams are a very convenient way to tour the city centre, providing a free round trip service that takes in many of the city's main attractions. The suburban train network is extensive and is the fastest way to reach outlying suburbs, and also has an underground city loop. Buses cover the areas that trams and trains don't reach, as well as those they do, but are little used by visitors; on weekends there is a limited night bus service. Taxis, highly visible in bright yellow, are numerous but expensive.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT TO CITY

It is very convenient to use Skybus (http://www.skybus.com.au/) and the ride between the Melbourne International Airport and Melbourne City Centre (Southern Cross Station) usually takes 20 minutes and the fare is $16 (one way) and $26 return.  Skybus runs in a frequency of about 10-20 minutes (Skybus timetable can be found at: http://www.skybus.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/skybus_timetable_t1-webready20104.pdf).

There are plenty of taxis outside the arrival hall in the airport and the taxi ride will take about 20 minutes to the city center. It is very safe to take taxi and the coast would be about $50 (please remember to ask for a taxi receipt).

INTERACTIVE GOOGLE MAP DIRECTION/GUIDE

The following website lists the location of the Melbourne airport, RMIT city campus, hotels listed above, Skybus stops, APSG conference venue, reception café, and IUGG conference venue etc. for your convenience. 

http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=206758583897119442809.0004a49c579861667babf&ll=-37.790252,144.945717&spn=0.100929,0.222645&z=13

PRE AND POST TOURING OPTIONS

RMIT will not be organising a tour of the city as part of the APSG Workshop. The IUGG General Assembly has an extensive pre and post touring program, full details can be found at http://www.iugg2011.com/social.asp.

In addition to the organised IUGG tours, delegates can enjoy a number of free activities the City of Melbourne provides, such as the:

·         City Circle Tram (hop on – hop off tour)

·         National Gallery Victoria

·         Federation Square

·         Queen Victoria Market

·         Crown Casino Entertainment precinct.

Maps and tourist information will be provided in the welcome pack.

MAP

MAP 1 - Route of Airport to RMIT University: 21.9 km, 20 min

MAP 2 – RMIT city campus map

MAP 3 – All points of interest and key features related to APSG conference

(Interactive Google Earth Map can be found at http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=206758583897119442809.0004a49c579861667babf&ll=-37.790252,144.945717&spn=0.100929,0.222645&z=13)