########################################## Table of Contents ########################################### 1. Conferences 1.1. The 27th Workshop on General Relativity and Gravitation in Japan (JGRG27), Higashi Hiroshima 1.2. Observing Black Holes: From the Universe to the Lab, London UK 1.3. The Ninth Australasian Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation, Gingin, Western Australia 1.4. 27th Midwest Relativity Meeting, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 2. Jobs 2.1. Postdoctoral Position in Gravitational Physics at Koc University 2.2. Faculty Position in Gravitational Physics at ICN-UNAM, Mexico City 2.3. Postdoc position in gravitational waves, Shanghai, China 2.4. ERC funded Post-Doctoral Researcher position in Strong Gravity, Rome, Italy 2.5. Postdoc position at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan 2.6. Faculty Position in Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology, Dallas, USA 2.7. Guelph-Perimeter Joint Faculty Position in Theoretical Physics 3. News 3.1. GRG Editor’s Choice: Notable articles in General Relativity & Gravitation 3.2. COST GWverse: Exchange of researchers working on gravitational-wave and black hole physics ============================================== 1. Conferences ============================================== 1.1. The 27th Workshop on General Relativity and Gravitation in Japan (JGRG27), Higashi Hiroshima --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/08/12/the-27th-workshop-on-general-r... Starting: 2017-11-27 to 2017-12-01 Location: Higashi Hiroshima Additional Information: http://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/jgrg27/ Contact: jgrg27[AT]hiroshima-u.ac.jp We would like to announce that this year JGRG workshop will be held at Higashi Hiroshima Arts and Culture Hall Kurara from Nov.27 to Dec.1, 2017. JGRG is a series of annual workshops held in Japan since 1991. The main purpose of the workshop is to provide a place for exchanging ideas to pursue future trends of research. The workshop will cover a wide area of research related to general relativity and gravitation. For more details please visit our web page: http://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/jgrg27/ The important deadlines are: 10 September 2017 (JST): Registration deadline (for financial support) 17 October 2017 (JST): Registration deadline (for presentation) SOC: Hideki Asadeki (Hirosaki), Takeshi Chiba (Nihon University), Tomohiro Harada (Rikkyo), Kunihito Ioka (YITP, Kyoto), Akihiro Ishibashi (Kinki University), Hideki Ishihara (Osaka City), Masahiro Kawasaki (ICRR, Tokyo), Hideo Kodama (YITP, Kyoto), Yasufumi Kojima (Hiroshima), Kei-ichi Maeda (Waseda), Shinji Mukohyama (YITP, Kyoto), Takashi Nakamura (Kyoto), Ken-ichi Nakao (Osaka City), Yasusada Nambu (Nagoya), Ken-ichi Oohara (Niigata), Misao Sasaki (YITP, Kyoto), Masaru Shibata (YITP, Kyoto), Tetsuya Shiromizu (Nagoya) Jiro Soda (Kobe), Naoshi Sugiyama (Nagoya), Hideyuki Tagoshi (Osaka City), Takahiro Tanaka (YITP, Kyoto), Masahide Yamaguchi (Tokyo Institute of Technology), Ryo Yamazaki (Aoyama Gakuin), Jun'ichi Yokoyama (RESCEU, Tokyo) LOC: Yasufumi Kojima, Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Nobuhiro Okabe, Tomohiro Inagaki (Hiroshima University) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.2. Observing Black Holes: From the Universe to the Lab, London UK --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/08/21/observing-black-holes-from-the... Starting: 2017-09-15 to 2017-09-15 Location: Aryton and Franklin Rooms, Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT, UK Additional Information: https://www.iopconferences.org/iop/1129/home Contact: a.conroy[AT]lancaster.ac.uk IOP Gravitational Physics Group September Meeting “Observing Black Holes: From the Universe to the Lab” Friday, 15 September 2017, 12:00 – 17:00 Ayrton and Franklin Rooms, Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT, UK This half-day meeting of the IOP Gravitational Physics Group is focused on recent observational developments of black holes. The meeting will be comprised of three speakers discussing the following topics: Gravitational Wave Observations – John Veitch (University of Glasgow) Imaging a Supermassive Black Hole – Jason Dexter (Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics) Observation of Superradiance in a Vortex Flow – Silke Weinfurtner (University of Nottingham) All are welcome to attend and no registration fee will be charged. The talks will be preceded by the IOP Gravitational Physics Group annual general meeting. Schedule 12:00: Annual General Meeting for members of the IOP Gravitational Physics Group 13:30-14:30 – John Veitch 14:30-15:30 – Jason Dexter 16:00-17:00 – Silke Weinfurtner Registration https://www.iopconferences.org/iop/1129/home Signed The IOP Gravitational Physics Group Committee gp.iop.org +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.3. The Ninth Australasian Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation, Gingin, Western Australia --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13252 Starting: 2017-11-27 to 2017-11-30 Location: Western Australia, Australia Additional Information: http://www.ecm.uwa.edu.au/acgrg9 Contact: chunnong.zhao[AT]uwa.edu.au ACGRG9 is the ninth in a series of biennial conferences run by the Australasian Society for General Relativity and Gravitation (ASGRG) with the aim of bringing together researchers from around the world to discuss all aspects of General Relativity, Gravitational Waves, Cosmology and Relativistic Astrophysics including theory and experiment. ACGRG9 will be held at the Gravity Discovery Centre, Gingin, Western Australia, 27-30 November 2017. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.4. 27th Midwest Relativity Meeting, Ann Arbor, MI, USA --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13258 Starting: 2017-10-12 to 2017-10-14 Location: Ann Arbor, MI, USA Additional Information: https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/midwest-gravity-meeting/ Contact: garfinkl[AT]oakland.edu The website is ready for the Midwest Relativity Meeting 2017 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, October 12-14. The website for the conference is https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/midwest-gravity-meeting/ Please, register through this website as soon as possible. The registration deadline is October 5th, 2017. There is no registration fee. The website lists hotel rooms blocked for participants of this meeting, and reservations must be made by September 11 for the Ann Arbor Regent Hotel and Suites, and, September 27 for the Executive Learning and Conference Center Center. For more information please see our website. The meeting will start on Thursday (October 12th) at 2pm. and will end in the afternoon of Saturday (October 14th). In addition to the regular talks, there will be two plenary talks, one by Abhay Ashtekar (Penn State) and one by Matthew Evans (MIT). The rough schedule will be as follows: Thursday (Oct 12): 2-3pm. Registration 3-5pm. Talks 5-6pm. Refreshments. Friday (Oct 13): 9-10am. Plenary talk by Abhay Ashtekar (Penn State) followed by regular talks during the day (coffee breaks provided /lunch on your own). Saturday (Oct 14): 9-10am. Plenary talk by Matthew Evans (MIT) followed by regular talks during the day (coffee breaks provided /lunch on your own). We strongly encourage graduate students and postdocs to present talks on their research. The Blue Apple Prize will be awarded for the best talk by a student. Please pass this information along to anyone you think will be interested. We look forward to seeing you at the Midwest Relativity Meeting! Best regards. The organizers: Lydia Bieri, Henriette Elvang, David Garfinkle +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 2. Jobs ============================================== 2.1. Postdoctoral Position in Gravitational Physics at Koc University ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/08/03/postdoctoral-position-in-gravi... Deadline: 2017-10-01 Location: Istanbul, Turkey Additional Information: http://mysite.ku.edu.tr/framazanoglu/ Contact: framazanoglu[AT]ku.edu.tr A postdoctoral position in gravitational physics is available at the Physics Department of Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey. The position is for two years starting January 1, 2018 with a re-evaluation at the end of the first year. A third year is possible upon the availability of funding. Selected candidate will undertake research on gravitational physics with Fethi M Ramazanoglu, mainly using numerical methods (see http://mysite.ku.edu.tr/framazanoglu/ for more information) The candidate is expected to have a strong background in gravitational physics and general relativity. Knowledge of numerical methods is desired, but not required. Please upload your CV with publications list, research statement and three references at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/9470. Deadline is October 1, 2017, but applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Compensation: The salary is 2800 Turkish liras per month and tax exempt. Koc University provides free shared housing near the university, or a housing allowance depending on the candidate’s preference. Meal tickets covering lunches are also provided free of charge. Work Place: Koc University is a leading research institute with a lively physics department. We are located among the forests of northern Istanbul with an easy commute to the city center. Istanbul is a global metropolis spanning the intersection of Europe and Asia with an active social life and many natural beauties. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2. Faculty Position in Gravitational Physics at ICN-UNAM, Mexico City ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13228 Deadline: 2017-10-01 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Additional Information: http://www.nuclecu.unam.mx/depto_gravitacion.php Contact: quevedo[AT]nucleares.unam.mx The Department of Gravitation and Field Theory at the Institute of Nuclear Sciences (ICN) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City, announces the opening of a tenure track Faculty Position in Gravitational Physics. The focus of the position is Gravitational Waves Physics and related subjects (numerical relativity, post-Newtonian approximations, effective one-body approaches to relativistic two-body problems, self-force and corrections to geodesic motion, precision tests and alternative theories), but we expect the successful candidate to have wider interests and to be able to collaborate with other members of the Department. The candidate is expected to play an active role in the development and consolidation of a program devoted mainly to the study of the two-body problem in General Relativity and alternative theories of gravity, in connection with the interpretation of data from Gravitational Wave detectors of the currently operating devices (LIGO, VIRGO, GEO600) and of the forthcoming ones (LISA, KAGRA, LIGO-INDIA). The position is a tenure track professorship whose level (assistant, associate or full) will be determined by the candidate’s expertise and experience. Salaries are competitive and include tax-free subsidies from funding agencies within UNAM and the Mexican National Science Foundation (Conacyt). The contract package includes health insurance among other benefits. Interested candidates should submit the following documents in a single PDF file to the Depart-ment’s Head, Prof. Hernando Quevedo (quevedo at nucleares.unam.mx): - full curriculum vitae; - publication list, with the five most significant publications clearly highlighted; - brief description of research interests. In addition, three recommendation letters should be arranged to be sent to the same e-mail ad-dress. The review of applications starts on October 1-st, 2017, and will continue until the position is filled. The Department participates in the operation of various graduate programs at the university level, including physics, mathematics, astronomy, engineering, philosophy and others. The successful candidate is expected to participate in the undergraduate and graduate physics activities at UNAM, including teaching and mentoring students. Research grants are available from an internal UNAM funding agency and from Conacyt. An active postdoctoral recruiting program within the UNAM runs twice a year. Large computing (including supercomputers) and extensive library resources are available within the UNAM campus. The successful candidate is expected to apply for research funding and to take advantage of the postdoctoral program to help develop and to strengthen her/his research projects. Currently, the Department’s faculty members are Miguel Alcubierre, Wolfgang Bietenholz, Yuri Bonder, Chryssomalis Chryssomalakos, Jemal Guven, Tim Koslowski, Darío Núñez, Hernando Quevedo, Marcos Rosenbaum, Marcelo Salgado, Christopher Stephens, Daniel Sudarsky, Roberto Sussman, and Alexander Turbiner. In addition, there is a considerable number of postdoctoral fellows and graduate students associated to the Department. The research interests are diverse and include black hole physics, relativistic physics, cosmology, numerical relativity, QFT in curved spacetimes, alternative theories, quantum gravity, lattice quantization, shape dynamics, condensed matter, complex systems, integrable systems, mathematical physics, QCD, foundations of quantum physics, among others. The Department shares building facilities with the neighboring High Energy Physics Department, facilitating a close collaboration with its theoretical and experimental branches which focus on related subjects (e.g. dark matter search, neutrino physics, string theory and AdS/CFT duality, cosmic and gamma rays, hadron physics, physics beyond the standard model, etc.). There are several other research institutes (physics, mathematics, chemistry, astronomy, philosophy, among many others) based on campus, allowing a rich exchange of ideas during the year through seminars, colloquia, and local meetings. A rich cultural life and ludic activities can be found in the campus (art cinemas and museums, concert halls, classical music seasons, festivals, conferences, a Mexican premier league soccer team, etc.), which also hosts an array of sport and fitness facilities. The UNAM is an equal opportunity employer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3. Postdoc position in gravitational waves, Shanghai, China ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13230 Deadline: 2017-09-10 Location: Shanghai, P.R.China Additional Information: http://www.shao.ac.cn Contact: wbhan[AT]shao.ac.cn Postdoc hiring for gravitational wave (GW) physics and astronomy, working at Gravitational Wave Group of Shanghai Astronomical Observatory. PhD graduates or experts on all aspects of GWs are welcome, although theorists on analytical or numerical simulations on GWs are preferred. Term is 1+1 years, the salary before tax is 150000 RMB/year. Starting date: any time from September, 2017. Please send your CV and publication list and arrange 1-2 reference letters to be sent to Dr. Wen-Biao Han Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences email: wbhan[at]shao.ac.cn +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4. ERC funded Post-Doctoral Researcher position in Strong Gravity, Rome, Italy ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/08/21/erc-funded-post-doctoral-resea... Deadline: 2017-10-31 Location: Sapienza University of Rome, Italy Additional Information: http://darkgra.weebly.com/job-opportunities.html Contact: paolo.pani[AT]roma1.infn.it We expect to open some Post-Doctoral Researcher positions at various seniority levels to work in the area of strong gravity (theory and phenomenology). The successful candidate will join the team of the DarkGRA project [http://darkgra.weebly.com/] recently funded by the European Research Council. The appointment is for two or three years, depending on seniority, subject to funding renewal and satisfactory performance. All candidates must hold (or soon be completing) a Ph.D. in Physics. The start date is flexible and can be as early as 1st of January 2018. Screening of the applications will begin on 31st October 2017 and will continue until the positions are filled. The research activity of the successful candidate will focus on black-hole and neutron-star physics, in particular gravitational-wave modelling of exotic compact objects, tests of gravity and of the nature of compact objects, and strong-gravity tests of dark matter. Members of the team are also expected to get involved in other activities related to the project and in the training of students. The DarkGRA team will have strong connections with the gravity group at the Physics Department - Sapienza University of Rome, which is currently composed by faculty Valeria Ferrari, Leonardo Gualtieri and Paolo Pani, by one postdoc, two PhD students and several master students. The group has also strong connections with other local groups at Sapienza, with the gravity groups in Lisbon, Mississippi, Tubingen, Nottingham, Para', Baleares, Cambridge, Aveiro, IAP (Paris) and King's College London, and it is part of the COST Action GWVerse. The Department of Physics at Sapienza hosts renowned research groups in several areas of physics and is regularly included among the first 40 Physics and Astronomy institutes in the world according to various rankings. Informal inquiries can be made by contacting Dr Paolo Pani (paolo.pani[AT]roma1.infn.it). Application should be sent through the online form available on the project webpage. The selection will be done in agreement with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers, and particular attention will be paid to the gender balance of the team. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5. Postdoc position at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/08/22/postdoc-position-at-okinawa-in... Deadline: 2017-11-15 Location: Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan Additional Information: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/9561# Contact: yaakov.neiman[AT]oist.jp The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is establishing a research group in theoretical physics, with a focus on quantum gravity and related questions in e.g. string theory, QFT and cosmology. The group is led by Yasha Neiman, with Linqing Chen, Henry Stoltenberg and Tomonori Ugajin joining as postdocs in the fall of 2017. We are looking to hire one additional postdoc, for a 3-year term to begin in the fall of 2018, or earlier if desired. OIST is a young and growing research and graduate education institute, located on the beautiful Japanese island of Okinawa. The institute is English-speaking and international in nature, and enjoys generous funding from the Japanese government. Its unique structure emphasizes individual research groups over departments, providing each group with substantial freedom to define itself and to collaborate with others. OIST is just beginning to develop a population of fundamental theorists, and we have the opportunity to be at the forefront of that process. Current faculty with related interests include Shinobu Hikami and Hirotaka Sugawara. We are looking for an independent person with an inner drive and an ability to pursue their own research direction. The aim is to have a diverse group where members can learn from each other about different aspects of fundamental theory. A central question for the group at this moment is how to think about quantum gravity when confined to a finite region, due e.g. to a cosmological horizon. Yasha's current personal focus is on a research program for constructing a working model of quantum (higher-spin) gravity in de Sitter space, where a holographic theory at de Sitter infinity translates into observable physics inside horizons. Current work involves both conceptual issues in de Sitter physics and the development of new tools and perspectives in higher-spin theory. Each of our three incoming postdocs follows their own line of research, quite independent from this one. The base annual salary range for postdocs at OIST is currently 4.4-5.7 million yen. Within this range, the salary increases with each year since the Ph.D. A postdoc in the group will generally be able to make several trips per year, including long-distance flights. The group also has funds for bringing in visitors (~6 visitor-months per year), and a postdoc in the group will have full access to this resource. Any particular budgetary needs can be discussed at the interview stage. Please apply via AcademicJobsOnline at: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/9561# For any inquiries, please contact Yasha Neiman at: yaakov.neiman[AT]oist.jp Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2017. For further information about OIST, visit: http://www.oist.jp For the Quantum Gravity group (still under construction), visit: https://groups.oist.jp/qgu For a list of research groups at OIST, visit: http://www.oist.jp/research-units +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6. Faculty Position in Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology, Dallas, USA ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/08/25/faculty-position-in-theoretica... Deadline: 2017-10-31 Location: Dallas, USA Additional Information: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/9505 Contact: jobsearch[AT]physics.smu.edu The Department of Physics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in the broadly defined area of Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology. The appointment will start in August 2018 or later. Candidates are expected to have a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy or closely related field. Current research at the Department of Physics at SMU is concentrated in the field of particle physics. Current experimental program includes ATLAS at the LHC, NOvA at Fermilab, SuperCDMS and DESI. The theory program is concentrated on the LHC related topics. The department expects an increased interest in astrophysics and astronomy. The successful candidate is expected to develop a vigorous research program, supervise graduate students and to teach at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Applications may be submitted electronically (PDF format preferred) via https://academicjobsonline.org/ website and should include a research statement, statement of teaching interests, curriculum vitae and three letters of references. To ensure full consideration, the application should be received by October 31, 2017, but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. Inquiries (but not applications) can be sent to: jobsearch[AT]physics.smu.edu Southern Methodist University will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity[AT]smu.edu. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.7. Guelph-Perimeter Joint Faculty Position in Theoretical Physics ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13264 Deadline: 2017-10-15 Location: Guelph and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Additional Information: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/applications/503 Contact: epoisson[AT]uoguelph.ca The Department of Physics at the University of Guelph and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics invite applications for a joint position at the Assistant Professor level in theoretical physics. This is a tenure-track faculty position at Guelph, combined with an Associate Membership at Perimeter Institute. The two institutions are partnering to create a cluster of research excellence in areas of shared interest. We are looking for candidates with exceptional research achievements in theoretical gravitational-wave physics; we also welcome applications in other areas of gravitational physics including astrophysics, cosmology, and high energy physics. The successful candidate will complement and be a part of this exciting new partnership, will be expected to spend time at both institutions, and will benefit from a reduction in teaching load at Guelph in addition to having access to resources and opportunities at both institutions. The Department of Physics counts 19 faculty members and 12 postdoctoral fellows, and offers strong undergraduate and graduate programs to the Ph.D. level. Research areas include astrophysics and gravitation, biophysics and medical physics, condensed matter physics and material nanoscience, physics education, planetary surface exploration, and subatomic physics. More information is available at www.physics.uoguelph.ca. Perimeter Institute is a rapidly growing independent centre for fundamental research in theoretical physics. The Institute offers an exceptional research environment and is currently staffed with 40 full-time and part-time faculty members, 40 Distinguished Visiting Research Chairs, and 55 postdoctoral researchers. More information is available at www.perimeterinstitute.ca. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in theoretical physics or a closely related field, postdoctoral experience, and will have demonstrated exceptional strength in independent research. The candidate will also have a proven ability or demonstrated potential for teaching. To apply, electronic (PDF) versions of a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, statement of teaching philosophy, publications list, and at least three letters of recommendations must be submitted to https://perimeterinstitute.ca/applications/503. Further information about the search can be obtained from Martin Williams, Acting Chair, Department of Physics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1. Consideration of applications will begin on October 15, 2017 but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 3. News ============================================== 3.1. GRG Editor’s Choice: Notable articles in General Relativity & Gravitation ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/08/31/grg-editors-choice-notable-art... Additional Information: http://www.springer.com/livingreviews/relativity In each volume of the journal General Relativity & Gravitation, a few papers are marked as "Editor's Choice". The primary criteria is original, high quality research that is of wide interest within the community. Tanatarov, I.V. & Zaslavskii, O.B., Collisional super-Penrose process and Wald inequalities, Gen Relativ Gravit (2017) 49: 119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10714-017-2281-0 Abstract: We consider collision of two massive particles in the equatorial plane of an axially symmetric stationary spacetime that produces two massless particles afterwards. It is implied that the horizon is absent but there is a naked singularity or another potential barrier that makes possible the head-on collision. The relationship between the energy in the center of mass frame Ec.m. and the Killing energy E measured at infinity is analyzed. It follows immediately from the Wald inequalities that unbounded E is possible for unbounded Ec.m. only. This can be realized if the spacetime is close to the threshold of the horizon formation. Different types of spacetimes (black holes, naked singularities, wormholes) correspond to different possible relations between Ec.m. and E. We develop a general approach that enables us to describe the collision process in the frames of the stationary observer and zero angular momentum observer. The escape cone and escape fraction are derived. A simple explanation of the existence of the bright spot is given. For the particular case of the Kerr metric, our results agree with the previous ones found in Patil et al. (Phys Rev D 93:104015, 2016). Sakovich, A. & Sormani, C., Almost rigidity of the positive mass theorem for asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds with spherical symmetry, Gen Relativ Gravit (2017) 49: 125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10714-017-2291-y Abstract: We use the notion of intrinsic flat distance to address the almost rigidity of the positive mass theorem for asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds. In particular, we prove that a sequence of spherically symmetric asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds satisfying the conditions of the positive mass theorem converges to hyperbolic space in the intrinsic flat sense, if the limit of the mass along the sequence is zero. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.2. COST GWverse: Exchange of researchers working on gravitational-wave and black hole physics ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13271 Additional Information: https://gwverse.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/stsms/how-to-apply/ In the context of the European COST Action CA16104 on Gravitational waves, black holes and fundamental physics (GWverse), grants for short term scientific missions (STSMs) are available. We are inviting you to submit proposals for STMSs starting after Nov 1, 2017 and before April 30, 2018 (applications outside this timeframe will be discarded). This call starts on Sep 1 and closes Oct 15, 2017. All proposals will be reviewed and the results will be announced by Nov 1, 2017. STSMs are a great opportunity for all scientists within the COST Action to exchange visits, nurture collaborations, or develop new ones. Further details are available at the GWverse webpage: https://gwverse.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/stsms/ If you have any question, please contact the STSM Coordinator Andreja Gomboc: andreja.gomboc[at]ung.si ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++