Dear Colleague,

You are cordially invited to attend the 9th International Conference on Electromagnetic and Light Scattering by Non-Spherical Particles at the St. Petersburg University, St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 5-9, 2006.

The conference is part of two series of conferences started in 1995 (Amsterdam) and 1996 (Bremen). This is internationally recognized conference that covers all aspects of single and multiple light scattering with special emphasis on scattering by non-spherical and heterogeneous particles. The aim of the series of conferences is to bring together experts in theory, computations, experiments and those working on specific applications (astronomical, geophysical, environmental, material science) to foster collaborations.

The conference will cover:
- new theoretical developments and numerical experiments in light scattering by non-spherical particles and particles with complex internal structure,
- laboratory experiments in light scattering by natural and artificial particles,
- single and multiple light scattering by dust grains and aerosols in terrestrial and planetary atmospheres (including exoplanets) and various cosmic objects,
- application of light scattering methods in biology and biomedicine,
- light scattering methods to control material properties in chemical and material science experiments and in technological processes.

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The host of the Conference is Sobolev Astronomical Institute of St. Petersburg University.

The Chair of the Scientific Organizing Committee is Prof. Nikolai V. Voshchinnikov (St. Petersburg University).

The Chair of the Local Organizing Committee is Dr. Vladimir Il'in.

As it is traditional for the conferences of this series, the proceedings will be published as a Book of Extended Abstracts prior to the conference followed by a Special Issue of the Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer after the conference.

Practical information and call for extended (4-page) abstracts will be given in the Second Announcement (October 2005). Also, check our website http://www.astro.spbu.ru/ELS9

The pre-registration form (see below) should be returned before October 1, 2005. Please, send it by e-mail, usual mail, or fax, to

Light Scattering Conference
c/o Vladimir Il'in
Sobolev Astronomical Institute
St. Petersburg State University
Universitetskii pr., 28
St. Petersburg, 198504 Russia
fax: +7 (812) 428-7129
e-mail: ELS9@astro.spbu.ru

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PREREGISTRATION FORM (please, return before October 1, 2005)

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( ) I plan to attend the Conference on E&LSNP
( ) I would like to receive the second circular
( ) I will not attend

I propose to make a presentation at the Conference on E&LSNP untitled:



( ) I prefer to make oral presentation
( ) I prefer to make poster presentation