EPPCN
Third meeting, CERN 7-8 April 2008
DRAFT Minutes
Present: Marianne Baumgart (Austria), James Gillies (CERN), Dagmar Dvorakova (Czech Republic), Minna Merilainen (Finland), Perrine Royole-Degieux (France), Thomas Naumann, Katrin Voss, Thomas Zoufal (Germany), Eleonora Cossi (Italy), Gerjan Bobbink (Netherlands), Ingvil Bjoernaes (Norway), Stanislaw Latek (Poland), Pedro Abreu (Portugal), Maria Chamizo Llatas (Spain), Camilla Jakobsson (Sweden), Beat Gerber (Switzerland), Peter Barratt (UK)
Guests: Django Manglunki, Tim Smith, Christine Sutton, Antonella del Rosso Vite (CERN), Malgorzata Marciniak (Poland)
Apologies: Paul Devuyst (Belgium), Nick Tracas (Greece), Laszlo Jeki (Hungary)
No delegate yet appointed: Bulgaria, Denmark, Slovakia
1) News from CERN
James Gillies reported on progress at the LHC and communication news from CERN. Many new communication tools are becoming available, including print, video and exhibitions. The open day weekend saw over 70000 entries to the CERN sites, with some 30000 people visiting the underground areas.
2) Presentation of planning for first injection media invitation
James Gillies presented the plans for a media invitation to CERN on the day a beam is first injected into the LHC. With media demand still rising, CERN is expecting substantial uptake for this invitation, and delegates were requested to supply the CERN press office with names of key target media to be invited. These will receive individual invitations in advance of the general invitation. Delegates were also invited to inform the CERN press office of the names of scientists they wish to be involved in media activity on the day. The key target audience for this invitation is television news in the member states. To this end, a media partner is being sought to help with the production and distribution of video news in advance and on the day, and to provide and manage a satellite ground station capable of supporting several simultaneous stand-up positions for TV news journalists. The date for the first injection will be communicated one month in advance.
Tim Smith followed up with a presentation of the technical infrastructure available at CERN to carry A/V signals on the first injection day. Cameras in the CERN Control Centre (CCC) will relay signals to the Globe, which will be used as a media centre for the day, and to the satellite ground station. Webcast capability also exists from various locations at CERN, including the CCC and the experiments’ control rooms.
Django Manglunki then demonstrated the LHC console in the Globe, showing and explaining what information will be available on the screens.
3) Round table discussion of member state communication requests to CERN for the first injection and official inauguration.
Member state representatives outlined their plans, if any, for events to mark the start-up either at first beam injection, or around the official inauguration. These were summarized at the beginning of the second day by James Gillies.
4) Presentation of EPPOG.
Erik Johansson, current chair of the European Particle Physics Outreach Group (EPPOG) presented the work of EPPOG to the EPPCN representatives. EPPOG is well established, and among its key achievements has been the establishment of particle physics masterclasses for school students across Europe.
5) CERN brochure requests
Christine Sutton and Antonella del Rosso Vite presented the current status of CERN brochures either existing or in production. There was a discussion of production procedures for language versions.
6) Presentation and screening of STFC CIG animations
Peter Barratt presented and screened a new series of CGI animations of LHC physics commissioned by STFC. These are intended to be released to broadcast media at the time of first beam injection. CERN will commission a further two animations covering the physics of LHCb and the progress of a particle beam from the hydrogen bottle to collision.
7) Actions and date for next meeting
i) CERN to prepare detailed plan for first injection day and communicate to EPPCN as soon as ready
ii) EPPCN members to communicate names of key target media to CERN
iii) EPPCN members to communicate names of key scientists to involve in first injection and official inauguration media activity
iv) Peter Barratt to upload STFC animations to EPPCN web site in low resolution for preview only.
v) Thomas Naumann to upload CAD files for ATLAS model to EPPCN website.
vi) The date for the autumn 2008 meeting is 15-16 September 2008. The meeting will be held at CERN.
