The 19th GEOS International Symposium was held from May 3 to May 5, 1996 at the Bigio Hotel in San Pellegrino Terme (Bergamo, Italy). This meeting took place within the framework of the usual annual GEOS scientific gatherings, which regularly bring together members and collaborators of the group to review its scientific activities, with particular emphasis on photometric data processing and the study of variable stars.
The symposium opened on Friday, May 3, with the opening session, followed by a first session devoted to advances in data processing techniques. The presentations addressed methodological, algorithmic and computational aspects related to the exploitation of observations within GEOS.
The second session, spread over Saturday, May 4, was devoted to observational results. Contributions presented studies of individual variable stars, covering both data acquisition and data processing. Considerable time was devoted to discussions, particularly concerning the astrophysical implications of the results presented.
The third session, organised as a joint discussion, focused on data processing at GEOS. Exchanges concerned comparisons between older and more recent methods, their efficiency, reliability and dissemination within the group. Organisational aspects and implications for the functioning of GEOS were also addressed.
On Sunday, May 5, the final session was devoted to the future of GEOS. Discussions covered several structuring topics: future directions of GEOS publications, computerisation of the group, rapid exchange of information, the evolution of photoelectric and CCD techniques, quality of results, and general trends in data processing. This session led to various proposals aimed at the future development of GEOS activities.
The symposium concluded in early afternoon after a synthesis of the discussions. Informal discussions, in particular during the evenings, contributed to exchanges among participants throughout the meeting.