Bill made seminal contributions to many areas of astrochemistry, including ion-molecule reactions, deuterium fractionation, shock waves, grain surface chemistry, and astrophysical masers. Three of Bill's close colleagues (Dick Crutcher and Lew Snyder of UIUC and Eric Herbst of OSU) presented short talks on Saturday morning (7 Nov) describing Bill's contributions in these areas and the impact he had on molecular astrophysics.

The second meeting of the Midwest Astrochemistry Consortium (MWAC) will be held on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on 6-7 November, 2009. We will follow the same format as last year: there will be a poster session on Friday night and a partial day of talks on Saturday that will adjourn by mid-afternoon. Friday dinner and Saturday lunch will be provided. An executive planning session for the consortium will be held during the lunch hour.

We have worked to keep costs as minimal as possible, in part to encourage graduate student attendance and participation. Please circulate this announcement to other members of your group who may not be on our mailing list. We expect that most of those who attend will be able to limit their stay in Champaign-Urbana to one night.

To learn more about the mission and activities of the MWAC, visit the consortium's website: http://midwest.astrochemistry.us/

REGISTRATION: Registration will be done this year online (click here to register). The fee is $25 per person if paid by 28 OCTOBER, or $35 thereafter, and must be paid by credit card on the website. The costs of the meeting are being partially defrayed by the National Science Foundation through a CAREER grant to Prof. Ben McCall.

ABSTRACTS: Each abstract should fit on a single 8-1/2 by 11" page. Provide a title, author list with the presenting author underlined, author affiliations, contact information for at least the presenting author, and the abstract. Use at least 1" margins on all sides. Figures and other supplemental material is encouraged, as long as everything fits on one page within the specified margins. No color, please. Abstracts should be emailed to mwam2009@gmail.com. Please use one of the following as a subject line:

MWAM09 abstract: PREFER TALK
MWAM09 abstract: PREFER POSTER

The number of slots for talks is limited, but we encourage graduate students to consider presenting a talk instead of a poster. Presenters will be notified whether they will be giving a poster or talk as soon as possible after the abstract deadline, which is 28 OCTOBER.

TRAVEL: In addition to driving, the University can be reached by train or plane service, mostly through Chicago. Campus maps will be provided below (soon!).

ACCOMODATIONS: Blocks of rooms have been set aside at the following hotels. These blocks are available only until 15 OCTOBER, so please make your reservations soon!

    Comfort Suites
    2001 North Lincoln Avenue
    Urbana, IL
    (217) 328-3500
    Group Name: Astrochemistry / U of I
    $89 + tax

    Holiday Inn
    1001 Killarney St.
    Urbana, IL
    (217) 328-7900
    Group Name: Astrochemistry
    $90 + tax

Please mention the meeting when making reservations by phone. A variety of other accommodations are also available in Champaign-Urbana and can be located and booked via the internet.

We look forward to seeing you at the University of Illinois in November!