July 29 - Aug 3 2018, Boston / Cambridge, USA
The "Cambridge Workshops of Cool Stars, Stellar Systems and the Sun" are held biennially and have evolved to be the premier conference series for cool star research.
Video recordings and slides for most talks are posted. See links for each abstract on the abstract page.
Please submit proceedings until November 15th (deadline extended). Check out our detailed instructions.
Links to Boston tourism websites
Excursions
Wednesday afternoon (Aug 1st) does not have any talks or presentations scheduled. Instead, we offer some excursions where you can explore Boston and chat about life and science with other conference attendees. Sign up on the registration form. You can bring a guest (e.g. if your spouse is coming to Boston, too). Alternatively, you can always relax and spend some time on your own. A few suggestions for activities in Boston are at the bottom of the page.
We reserve the right to cancel any tour if too few people sign up. In that case we will offer to rebook you on a different excursion or refund you your money.
Deadline to sign up for excursions is July 10th. We accept all major credit cards. Sign-up and credit card processing is handled by secure servers of the Smithsonian Institution. Click here to be forwarded to the payment form. Contact Jenine Humber if you have any problems or questions related to registration and payment.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations for tours or banquet guests must be received in writing or via email by June 15, 2018 for a full refund less a $30 processing charge. Cancellations received June 15, 2018 through July 15, 2018 receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made after June 16, 2018, or persons who do not attend are not eligible for any refund.
Historic Boston walking tour
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile walking trail that passes by 16 historic sites significant to the history of the United States. It is a collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond. Price: 20$ (incl. transportation to/from Boston Common, tour guide, tax and tip).
Kayak on the Charles river
Explore the Charles River by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Groups will launch from the BU Sailing Pavilion just a short walk from the conference venue and will enjoy a self-guided paddle around the Charles River. This excursion is open to people with all levels of paddling experience. A short introduction will be provided for beginners. Bring sunscreen and be prepared to get wet. We offer two groups (early or late afternoon) with 2.5 h on the water each. Price: 15 $ (rental of boats). No refunds for bad weather. Limit: 50 people.
Duck Tour Boston
“Duck Boats” are special amphibious vehicles that allow you to tour Boston on land and water. This sightseeing tour passes many of Boston’s major sights in about 80 min on roads and rivers. Quack, Quack. Classic Boston tour with fun for all ages. Boats provide weather protection. Price: 42.50$ (includes all taxes, tipps, and fees). Image modified from Captain-tucker [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Boston Craft Brewing Tour
This excursion is booked out. Take a grand tour of American craft brewing! Learn about the history and process of craft brewing from local brewers as you tour and taste your way around three Boston-area breweries:
- Aeronaut Brewing Co. - Brewer of unique beers located in an art-centric community space
- Somerville Brewing Co. - A great local hangout known for their clever beer names
- Mystic Brewery - Experts in traditional styles like saison, gruit, and wild ales.
Fenway Park Tour
Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox (baseball), is just a few minutes on foot from Boston University. It bills itself as "America's Most Beloved Ballpark" See the home of Red Sox Legends, Williams, Yaz, Fisk and Rice. Visit Pesky's Pole and the Green Monster. This is an extended walking tour through Fenway Park, which includes as specials the opportunity to try on uniforms of players and take batting practice in an official cage. Price: 40$
Harbor Island trip and clam bake
This excursion is canceled due to lack of interest. Sail to a private clambake. Thompson Island, a 204-acre nature preserve, is Boston Harbor’s only private island. The island offers the exclusivity of a private resort with the accessibility of an urban conference center. You will take a 30-min private ferry ride out to the island and explore this natural paradise. You can enjoy the island with a traditional New England clambake (which includes vegetarian options), a bonfire with s’mores and games like volleyball, corn hole and bocce. You can also sip on beer and wine from a three-hour open bar. Price: 110 $ This excursion is canceled due to lack of interest. Image by inuyaki.com [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Activites and Sightseeing on your own
If you prefer to explore Boston and the surrounding area on your own, we have some suggestions for you. Each category is ordered by ease of access from the conference venue. We’ve also included our recommended mode of transportation to each site.
Dive Deeper into History
- Boston African American National Historic Site & Black Heritage Trail - Boston, MA: Located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, this site and trail commemorates buildings and sites used for the Underground Railroad and the fight for African American rights during the 1800s. Accessible by T (subway).
- Charlestown Navy Yard & USS Constitution - Charlestown, MA: Take a tour of “Old Ironsides”, the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. Accessible by T or ride-hailing app.
- John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum - Columbia Point, Boston, MA: This museum honors the life and presidential legacy of John F. Kennedy. It located on the Columbia Point waterfront and housed inside a I.M. Pei-designed building. Accessible by T and a museum-run shuttle.
- Adams National Historical Park - Quincy, MA: This national park offers tours of John Adams birthplace and his family home, Peacefield. Accessible by T.
- United State Naval Shipbuilding Museum & USS Salem - Quincy, MA: Explore the only preserved U.S. Naval Heavy Cruiser and accompanying shipbuilding museum. Accessible by car.
Like a Local
- Newbury Street Shopping: Boston’s most famous shopping avenue with shops for everyone. Easily accessible by T.
- Boston Public Garden: The first public botanical garden in the U.S., which is still maintained in a Victorian style and offers the iconic swan boat rides around the lagoon. Easily accessible by T.
- Escape the Room Boston Small groups solve a series of small puzzles in 60min to gain freedom and “escape the room” (book ahead). Easily accessible by T.
- WalkBoston: Self-Guided Tours of Boston’s Unique Neighborhoods. Various locations.
- Longfellow’s Café/Lamplighter Brewing Co. - Cambridge, MA: Café/Brewery located in the heart of Cambridge. Accessible by ride-hailing app or T.
- Brooklyn Boulders - Somerville, MA: Climbing gym located just next door to Aeronaut Brewing Co. Accessible by ride-hailing app.
- The Lawn on D (check for event closures):An interactive outdoor space with art exhibitions, lawn games, and free wifi located in South Boston. Accessible by ride-hailing app.
Museums
- Museum of Fine Arts: Boston's biggest art museum. About 25 min walk from conference venue (or take bus 47 or CT2).
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Immersive art museum with plants, textiles, architecture, and furniture. About 25 min walk from conference venue (or take bus 47 or CT2).
- Museum of Science - Accessible by T to green line stop "Science Park".
- Harvard Museum of Natural History - Most famous exhibit is a selection of photorealistic glass flower that were use as teaching tool before powerpoint was invented. Take red line to "Harvard Square".
- ICA - Institute of Contemporary Art, a modern art museum. Located directly on the harbor, this is a good spot for a hot day - Take red line to South Station.
Farther Afield
- Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park: Ferries run daily to Georges Island and Spectacle Island (check ahead for tickets). Also, see our clambake excursion above. Long Wharf accessible by T.
- Arnold Arboretum: 281 acres of maintained public park and National Historic Park, which also acts as a Harvard-affiliated research institution. Located at one end of the orange line.
- Minuteman Bike Rail Trail (and other nearby bikeways): Rail Trail bikeway from Alewife T Station (Cambridge) to Bedford, MA. Other nearby bikeways are detailed on their website. Accessible by T.
- “Fermentation District” - Everett, MA - Orange line to "Wellington" or use a ride-hailing app:
- Night Shift Brewing - Brewery with large taproom with plenty of boardgames, (Tours only on weekends.)
- Bone Up Brewing - Brewery with cozy taproom
- MetroRock Climbing Gym - Large climbing gym with top-roping and bouldering
- SkyZone Indoor Trampoline Park - Indoor trampoline park! What could possibly go wrong?
- The Middlesex Fells Reservation: Hiking and Biking only ~7 miles from Boston. Accessible by ride-hailing app or car.
- Walden Pond State Reservation: Historic pond with walking trails and swimming. Accessible by car.
- Beaches: Many beaches are accessible by car north or south of Boston. This link lists just a few of them. Various locations.
HARVARD-SMITHSONIAN CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS | 60 GARDEN STREET | CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138
