Join some of the greatest minds in physics and cosmology, including 18 Nobel Laureates, for an exploration of awe-inspiring challenges in 21st century science. The symposium is in honor of Charles Townes in his 90th birthday year, the amazing laser, the 100th anniversary of Einstein's "miracle year," and the World Year of Physics.

• Who's Who

  Conference presenters and organizers include 18 Nobel Laureates and outstanding scholars from around the world.

• Participant Forums

  Online symposium discussion groups with world-renowned scientists and scholars participating in the symposium, including presentation abstracts. Available for public viewing.

• Symposium

  Attend a three-day symposium to explore the extraordinary challenges of 21st century physics and cosmology, October 6 - 8, 2005. Early registration deadline September 1, 2005.

• Gala Celebration in Honor of Charles Townes

  Attend an elegant, memorable banquet to celebrate the competition winners and honor the remarkable career of Charles Townes in his 90th Birthday Year, October 8, 2005. Space limited.

• Other Worlds: From Imagination To Image

  Free public lecture--8 PM, October 7, 2005

• Young Scholars Competition

  Over $100,000 in prizes for creative and promising papers by qualified researchers under the age of 40. Deadline July 20, 2005. Finalists announced!

• Amazing Light Laser Challenge

  $35,000 awarded for winning Web site design celebrating the invention and impacts of lasers.

• Related Essays

  What Charles Townes Hath Wrought; The Townes-Einstein Connection; A Laser Chronology.

	This meeting is endorsed by APS.
2005 is the United Nations International World Year of Physics

Photo credits: Background photo: bubble chamber tracks, 1984, photo courtesy of Fermilab Visual Media Services

Upper left photo: Quantum purification multi-photon entanglement experiment, courtesy of Institute for Experimental Physics, University of Vienna

Charles Townes, photo courtesy of Charles Townes