The LOFT Mission

LOFT, the Large Observatory For X-ray Timing, is a newly proposed space mission intended to answer fundamental questions about the motion of matter orbiting close to the event horizon of a black hole, and the state of matter in neutron stars.

LOFT was selected by ESA in February 2011 as one of the four M3 space missions concepts of the Cosmic Vision programme. LOFT is presently in the assessment phase, and is competing for a launch opportunity at the start of the 2020s together with the other mission candidates. LOFT is being specifically designed to answer two fundamental questions of ESA's Cosmic Vision Theme Matter under extreme conditions, namely:

Does matter orbiting close to the event horizon follow the predictions of general relativity?
What is the equation of state of matter in neutron stars?

A detailed overview of the LOFT Science can be found HERE.

 
Practical info, Registrations and Abstract
 
If you are interested in submitting an abstract (talk and/or poster) for the LOFT session please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and submit the abstract by using the EWASS ABSTRACT SUBMISSION facility.
 
***The Deadline for Submission is 31 May***
 
 
Agenda - Friday, 12th of July 2013
 
1st session: The LOFT mission (chair A. Watts)
12:25 - 12:55 M. van der Klis (UVA): Overview of the LOFT Science
12.55 - 13.15  J. Wilms (ECAP): LOFT Observatory Science
 
13:15 - 14:30 Lunch
 
2nd session: Presentations of LOFT Core Science: Dense Matter and Strong Field Gravity (chair: M. van der Klis)
14:30 - 14:50 A. Watts (UVA): LOFT and the neutron star equation of state
14:50 - 15:10 J. Poutanen (Univ. Oulu, invited): Modeling pulse profiles of accreting millisecond pulsars and X-ray bursts
15:10 - 15:30 A. Ingram (UVA, invited): Using LOFT to uncover the QPO mechanism in X-ray binaries
15:30 - 15:50 A. De Rosa (IAPS, invited): Variability as a probe of the central engine in AGNs: the LOFT perspectives
15:50 - 16:10 P. Uttley (UVA, invited):  Mapping the extreme: X-ray reverberation with LOFT
 
16:10 - 16:30 Coffee Break
 
3rd session: LOFT as Observatory (chairs: J. Wilms)
16:30 - 16:50 A. Tramacere (ISDC, invited): Constraining the physics of acceleration and radiation processes in the relativistic jets of Blazars with LOFT
16:50 - 17:05 R. Walter (ISDC): Tidal disruptions at hard X-rays and LOFT forecasts
17:05 - 17:20 L. Amati (INAF): GRB science with LOFT
17:20 - 17:35 J. in't Zand (SRON, solicited): What can LOFT do for the research of thermonuclear X-ray burst?
 
17:35 - 18:00 Open discussion
 
 
Practical Information (how to get to the LOFT room inside the Logomo center, Turku)
 
The LOFT special session is hosted in the "GOTO33" room. It is located on the third floor of the conference center.
 
1) Get into the Logomo center through the main door, turn left and take the evelvator to the third floor
 
 
2) On the third floor, exit from the elevator, turn left and follow the indication to the "GOTO33" room