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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">Dear ASA members,</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">We are delighted to invite research students from across Australia to register for
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">Mount Stromlo Student Seminars (MSSS) 2026</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">,
an annual student-run conference hosted by the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) at the Australian National University.</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">MSSS is primarily aimed at
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">Masters and PhD students</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">,
although honours students are very welcome to join too. The conference brings together research students to share their work through themed talks in a friendly and informal environment. Whether you're looking to present your research, practice for an upcoming
conference, or simply meet other astronomy students from around Australia, MSSS is a great opportunity to do so. Note you do not need to present in order to attend. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">This year's theme is
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">Cosmic Conspiracies</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">.
Alongside your research, we would love to hear about hotly contested theories in your particular area, present or historic. If astrophysics isn't conspiratorial enough for you, presentations on conspiracy theories from outside astronomy are also very welcome.
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">We look forward to hearing your stories!</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">MSSS 2026 will be held at the RSAA campus on Mount Stromlo from 25–27 November.</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">What's included?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">The conference is
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">completely free to attend</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">,
including catered morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea throughout the conference. We'll also have plenty of opportunities to meet and socialise with fellow students, including:</span></p>
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<span style="text-transform: none;">🍺 </span><span style="font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">Pub trivia night</span></p>
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<span style="text-transform: none;">🔭 </span><span style="font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">Stargazing on Mount Stromlo</span></p>
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<span style="text-transform: none;">♨️ </span><span style="font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">Social BBQ</span></p>
</li></ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">For those without a car, we'll also arrange a
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">free bus service between ANU's main campus and Mount Stromlo</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">.
Attendees will need to arrange their own accommodation and travel to Canberra.</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">📅</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">Important
dates</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">1 October:</span><span style="text-transform: none;"> Early registration deadline - early registrants will receive mystery merchandise</span></p>
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<span style="font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">31 October:</span><span style="text-transform: none;"> Talk abstract submission deadline</span></p>
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<span style="font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">13 November:</span><span style="text-transform: none;"> Final registration deadline</span></p>
</li></ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">While registration remains open until 13 November,
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;">early registration is strongly encouraged as places are limited and priority will be given to early registrants</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">.</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;"><a href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/tSrDCyojxQTJ6kJZ9tZfmmixgJ_c?domain=forms.gle" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); text-decoration: none; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" data-outlook-id="c8505f12-3644-4589-8e00-cd8569efab20"><u>Register
to attend</u></a><u><br>
</u><a href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/R8kuCzvkyVCn89n6JCXh77i9uttw?domain=forms.gle" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); text-decoration: none; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" data-outlook-id="7b1d4715-b744-4400-8f0e-600ee846bf93"><u>Submit a talk abstract</u></a></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">Further information about MSSS 2026 is available on the<a href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/qPUBCANpgjCVr2V47C9i99iGcn6M?domain=mso.anu.edu.au/" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" data-outlook-id="100b2539-3c73-4bfd-94bb-c15c527ae36f">
</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-weight: 700; text-transform: none;"><a href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/qPUBCANpgjCVr2V47C9i99iGcn6M?domain=mso.anu.edu.au/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); text-decoration: none; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" data-outlook-id="afb15dd4-c3ae-4239-8b5c-4d5b9e1014b6"><u>MSSS
website</u></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">.</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">We hope to see you in November!</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">Best regards from the organisers:</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;">Arunima, Joyce, Zac, Alex</span></p>
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