New Quests in Stellar Astrophysics II: Ultraviolet Properties of Evolved Stellar Populations

The International Conference Ultraviolet Properties of Evolved Stellar P- ulations held in Puerto Vallarta, M’ exico on April 16-20, 2007, is the s- ond New Quests in Stellar Astrophysics event, sponsored by the Instituto ‘ Nacional de Astrof’ ?sica, Optica y Electr’ onica (INAOE) and the University of Guadalajara(U.deG.).In2001weorganizedthe?rstmeetingaimedatstre- ing the importance of stellar physics to understand the properties of stellar systems at di?erent scales. We have now focused on the ultraviolet interval to review our current knowledge on the properties of evolved stellar populations. Theconferencerepresentedauniqueopportunitytocollectanup-to-dateview of the outcomes from various satellites, from the long-lived International - traviolet Explorer to current facilities, such as the Galaxy Evolution Explorer. This fresh panorama will undoubtedly impact on the preparation of planned ultraviolet space missions, such as the World Space Observatory and the - traviolet Imaging Telescope. The conference was also motivated by the recent access to the rest frame UV light of distant red galaxies, gained through large optical facilities. This driveway has derived in a renewed interest on the stars that presumably d- inateorhaveimportante?ectsontheintegratedUVcharacteristicsofevolved nearby systems. The conference intended to convene scientists interested in some of the main issues associated with the ultraviolet properties of old p- ulations. Nearly 60 participants from 10 countries reviewed and discussed, through about 50 oral and poster presentations, the relevant aspects that - bracedtopicsfromatomicphysicstogalaxiesintherelativelyyoungUniverse.